When To Take An Ovulation Test to Get Accurate Results

When to take an ovulation test after your period is a common question for those looking to track their ovulation. Whether you’re TTC or TTA, knowing when to take an ovulation test is a key factor in managing your fertility. In this post we’ll go over the elements of ovulation testing from understanding your menstrual cycle to interpreting ovulation test results and timing intercourse for optimal fertility. 

What Is Ovulation? 

Ovulation is a reoccurring event where an egg is released from the ovaries. The process involves the egg traveling down the uterine tube and making its way towards the uterus. What we call “ovulation” is actually the rupturing of the follicle and release of the egg to the fallopian tube, where it can then be fertilized by a sperm. You are considered at “peak” fertility in the days leading up to ovulation and on the day of ovulation. 

Ovulation takes place when your brain sends the signal – a surge in LH – then an egg is released from the ovary. Normally, LH levels remain fairly steady throughout your cycle, but just before ovulation those levels surge dramatically. Your LH surge isn’t ovulation itself, but rather the signal that ovulation is about to start and LH surges are necessary for ovulation. 

Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

Follicular Phase

After its release, the egg has between 12 and 24 hours to be fertilized by sperm. If it’s not fertilized it disintegrates and is shed alongside the uterine lining during your menstrual period. The first phase of the menstrual cycle is the follicular phase, which begins with your period. 

The follicular phase technically starts on the first day of your period and lasts around 14 days. The start of menstruation marks the beginning of the follicular phase and ovulation marks the end of the follicular phase.  

Early in the follicular phase, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) triggers the pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates the growth of several follicles in the ovaries. Over time, a dominant follicle develops and becomes an egg ready to be fertilized. This dominant follicle releases estrogen, which helps to thicken the lining of the uterus in preparation for implantation.  

Ovulation

When estrogen peaks, this tells the brain that an egg is ready to be released from the follicle. The brain then releases a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), which informs the ovarian follicle to release the egg into the uterine tube. This process is called ‘ovulation’. The empty follicle left behind becomes the ‘corpus luteum’, which goes on to produce progesterone to support a potential pregnancy. If you can pinpoint when your LH surge happens, you have a better chance of timing sex for baby-making success. 

In terms of timing, ovulation often occurs around 24 to 36 hours after the surge in LH. For 28-day cycles, this is around cycle day 14.

The days leading up to ovulation as well as the day after ovulation are known as your fertile window and when unprotected intercourse is most likely to lead to a pregnancy. It is a combination of both how long sperm cells can survive inside the body and how long the egg survives after ovulation.   

Luteal Phase

After the egg is released through ovulation, your luteal phase begins. During this time, the body is busy preparing for implantation and a possible pregnancy. The corpus luteum produces progesterone, which helps to thicken the uterine lining and prepare the uterus for implantation. 

If you are pregnant, the corpus luteum will continue to make progesterone to help sustain your pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum will shrink, and it will no longer produce progesterone. Eventually, the uterine lining sheds – marking the start of your next period and the cycle repeats. 

In a 28-day cycle, the luteal phase lasts around 14 days. However, timings can vary greatly among individuals.

How Do Ovulation Tests Work?

Ovulation test results are an important part of TTC but you may be wondering how do ovulation tests work. Ovulation test strips work by detecting luteinizing hormone (LH), the hormone that indicates ovulation. LH levels remain steady during your menstrual cycle except for a surge that happens just before ovulation. Ovulation tests and ovulation kits detect this surge to tell you when you’re in your fertile window and therefore when you’re most likely to conceive.

Similar to home pregnancy tests, you either pee on a stick or collect a cup of urine for testing. There are a variety of tests and kits available and they come in either threshold-based or semi-quantitative form. Threshold-based tests give a positive or negative result based on a standard level while semi-quantitative tests measure LH levels in a way that signifies whether you are low, high, or peak. 

Within this fertile window is your best chance of conceiving and your chances actually increase the closer you get to your ovulation day. Knowing this window of time can be crucial for anyone TTC. The signs and symptoms of ovulation vary greatly among women which is why many women turn to ovulation test results. You are at your peak fertility days when LH surges and managing this information is key to planning a successful pregnancy. 

Simple ovulation tests are 99% accurate in detecting levels of LH in urine when used as instructed, but there are some circumstances where the results of the test may be unreliable. OPKs can still be a part of your fertility journey, but you may want to anticipate ovulation with the help of other methods.     

One of the best methods for planning for your fertile window is by testing and tracking your hormone levels. Using an at-home smart hormone tracker like Mira, you can see your actual hormone concentrations with over 99% accuracy. The data is then automatically synced with the Mira app, which optimizes the ovulation prediction based on your personal health.  

How LH Surge Relates to the Timing of Ovulation

When to Take Ovulation Test After Period

For the majority of people, there is no need to test for LH every day of your cycle. The best time to use ovulation test strips is before you are scheduled to ovulate in order to see your LH levels rise. Knowing when to take an ovulation test after your period can require some calculation and if you are tracking your cycle, you’ll have a better estimate of when to start testing.  

When to start taking ovulation tests will largely depend on your own cycle. If you start taking tests a few days prior to your anticipated ovulation, you can use the results to predict ovulation. As the LH surges, you should be able to see the result lines get progressively darker. Aim to begin testing a few days before your anticipated day of ovulation and conclude testing once your LH surge has been identified.

When Is the Best Timing for Ovulation Test 

Although some tests suggest testing first thing in the morning (due to the concentration of urine), most ovulation tests can be used at any time of the day. There is no wrong or right time of day to take the test, but there are factors to keep in mind, like limiting fluids about 2 hours before testing. For this reason, many people test right when they wake up. 

However, your LH hormone levels generally peak in the early afternoon so if you can test around noon, you may increase your chances of a positive ovulation test. Regardless of when you test, try to take your LH test at the same time each day to receive the most accurate results.

How to Read Ovulation Test Results

Similar to home pregnancy tests, most ovulation test results will have two lines to read that indicates whether you have enough LH in your urine to meet the threshold of the test. The first line is a control line to tell you if the test is working, and the second is the test line. Regardless of the kit you choose, always read and follow the directions for your specific ovulation test. 

Differentiating Between Faint and Strong Lines on the Test Strip

Many ovulation test kits are urine-based kits with test strips that you either insert directly into the urine stream or in a cup of urine. Once inserted, the control line should appear on the test strip to tell you that the test is working. If the control line does not appear, you should use a new test strip.  

If your LH levels meet the threshold of the test, a second line should appear that is as dark or darker than the control line. If the line is lighter than the control line, or doesn’t show up at all, it means your LH levels are too low to suggest approaching ovulation. 

Ovulation testing can take some time to get used to and it can be difficult to know how to read the results, especially if you’re new to testing. It’s important to note that when it comes to reading results, both the control line and the test line should look exactly the same in color and intensity. The test line can also appear darker than the control line to be considered a positive result. If the test line is faint, or lighter than the control line, this is not considered a positive result. If you begin testing several days before expected ovulation, you should be able to see the lines get progressively darker as you approach your LH peak.  

Common Mistakes in Reading Results

Common mistakes in reading ovulation test results often stem from testing procedures. For instance, make sure you start testing a few days before expected ovulation, test at the right time each day, limit fluid intake before your test to increase LH urine concentration, and follow the instructions of the brand you choose.  

Before you assume the worst, consider the many reasons your test could be negative and possible solutions. Sometimes there is an underlying issue behind tracking your ovulation and you may need to see a medical professional to get to the bottom of it.     

For more information on test results, this post details the ins and outs of how to read an ovulation test.  

What to Do After a Positive Ovulation Test

Once you have a positive result in the morning, test again in 6 hours to verify an LH surge. After the first positive result, ovulation usually happens within the next 24-36 hours. After you have received a positive ovulation test strip, you are considered fertile for the following two or three days. Knowing when you ovulate can help you and your partner accurately plan for intercourse.     

Timing Intercourse for Optimal Conception Chances

When it comes to baby-making, this is your golden opportunity. The best time to have sex with your partner if you’re trying to conceive is during your fertile window, ie. the four to five days leading up to ovulation, the day of ovulation, and the day after ovulation. Timing intercourse for this period optimizes your fertile window and gives you the best chance of successfully getting pregnant.    

If you’re looking to add some punch to your baby-making adventures, you could add healthy habits like a relaxing cup of tea or meditation. Fertility meditations may not get you pregnant, but studies show meditation can promote better emotional health, reduce inflammation, improve sleep, and even decrease blood pressure. Since stress can wreak havoc on ovulation, consider Mira’s fertility meditation playlist to reduce the stress affecting your fertility.    

Stress can have a negative impact on your overall health, and it can also hurt your chances of getting pregnant. Having a relaxing ritual like making a cup of tea not only helps you get relaxation promoting vitamins and minerals in your body, but it can put your mind in the right state to conceive. Mira’s own Fertility Tea helps promote reproductive wellness, hormone balance, and overall health with ingredients to support your fertility journey naturally.    

Monitoring Other Ovulation Signs for Accuracy

Ovulation tests are one of many tools that you can use to track ovulation, but you may want to use them in conjunction with other fertility tracking for ovulation. The signs and symptoms that may occur during ovulation can be tracked in a variety of ways.

You may want to pair your ovulation tracking with recording your basal body temperature. This is your body’s temperature when at complete rest, and the changes in this temperature can be used to predict ovulation in future cycles. Ovulation usually brings about a small rise in your BBT, but this method of fertility tracking requires accuracy and diligence. Recording your BBT readings in a chart can help you see emerging patterns and is a great way to ensure the accuracy of your ovulation test strips. Charting the very slight rise in temperature is best done with a special thermometer that can read these tiny fluctuations like the Mira BBT thermometer. The data syncs automatically to the Mira app so there’s no need for manual logs.    

Factors That Can Affect Ovulation Test Accuracy

Ovulation tests are extremely accurate in detecting levels of LH in urine when used correctly. However, there are some circumstances that can affect the accuracy of these tests and the results may be unreliable.  

Medications, Medical Conditions, and Lifestyle Factors 

There are a number of reasons why you may not trust the accuracy of your ovulation test results. Knowing when to start testing for ovulation can be more challenging when you have irregular cycles. And if you have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome (LUFS), you may still experience surges in LH without ovulating or releasing an egg afterward.

Other factors include varying LH levels from cycle to cycle and the presence of certain drugs in your system. OPKs do not work reliably when you are taking certain fertility drugs. For example, injectable fertility drugs like Pergonal or hCG can severely limit test reliability. Also, fertility strips may not work consistently on women over 40 due to changes in LH levels. In their 40’s, some people have increased levels of H in their systems at all times, making any results from ovulation test strips invalid. 

How to Minimize False Results

Repeated negative tests could be due to a variety of reasons like testing at the wrong time, using the wrong tracking methods, or mispredicting your cycle.To minimize false results, follow the directions of your test carefully and make sure you are testing at the right time.  

For more detailed info on how to minimize false results, see our post on some of the reasons for a negative ovulation test and how to fix them. 

Conclusion

Used correctly, ovulation test strips are over 97 percent effective in detecting an LH surge. You can increase the effectiveness by combining them with other methods. When to take an ovulation test after your period is useful to know especially if you are TTC so you can time intercourse accordingly. One of the best methods for planning for your peak fertility is by testing and tracking your hormone levels. Measuring the changes in your hormones directly is the most reliable way to determine when you are ovulating (regardless of cycle irregularities). Mira’s digital technology allows you to observe changes in your fertility hormones throughout your menstrual cycle and your daily levels of LH are measured to provide 99% accurate results.    

Frequently Asked Questions