What is an Ovulation Predictor Kit?

Laura stopped using birth control over a year ago, knowing that she and her husband want a baby. She didn’t really think much about needing to “try”, she just assumed it would happen. But she is not pregnant yet, and beginning to wonder why not. Where should she even start? What she needs is an ovulation predictor kit (OPK).

What is an Ovulation Predictor Kit?

An ovulation predictor kit measures a hormone
It helps you identify your most fertile days
It is simple to use

Measures a hormone

Not all women have regular cycles, nor even understand how their cycle works. This tool can help you accurately identify your approaching fertility. This is fantastic because it gives you warning of your fertile days, the days when you should make love! The most common type of OPK works by measuring Luteinizing Hormone (LH). This is known as your LH surge, named because this hormone increases (surges) before you ovulate. What is ovulation? When an egg is released from the ovary. This is when you are fertile!

Identifies your most fertile days

Begin using the kit before you expect to ovulate so you don’t miss your most fertile days. How do you know when to start checking? Ovulation occurs 14 days before your next menstrual cycle. Take the length of your shortest cycle and subtract 14 days. This would be the earliest day you are likely to ovulate. Once you know this number, subtract 3 more days to make absolutely sure you do not miss your LH surge.

If your shortest cycle was 24 days, you begin using your ovulation predictor kit on day 7 of your cycle. Remember the first day of your cycle is the day you begin bleeding (not the day you stop bleeding). Because not every cycle will be this short, you will want to continue testing until you get your positive result, even if it takes longer than you expect.

Once your OPK test is positive, you will ovulate within 24-36 hours. This is the best time to conceive. Have intercourse as soon as you get a positive test result.

An ovulation predictor kit is simple to use!

This type of ovulation predictor is also known as a urine LH stick. There are several brands. You can buy them at your local drugstore or online. You just pee on the stick and read the results. They are similar to home pregnancy tests. However, many must be read carefully, as a positive result occurs when the line is as dark as the control line. It is usually not just a simple positive or negative, because LH is present in your urine every day. Read the instructions carefully.

As always, no method is completely foolproof. You can have an LH surge and a positive test result and not ovulate. Always use as many signs of ovulation as possible to increase your odds of finding the best time to conceive. These signs include cervical mucus, saliva ferning, checking your cervix, and monitoring your basal body temperature. Read about these in other posts.

To Your Vibrant Health!

Veronica Tilden, D.O.