Helpful hints and tips for buying and using ovulation predictors or fertility monitors.

There are several types of ovulation tests. Though they range from urine luteinizing hormone (LH) tests to saliva microscopes and sweat watches there are some universal principles that can help a woman find the right one for her.

  • Women don't need an ovulation predictor to become pregnant. Plenty of women can get pregnant without using these products. In fact, current statistics say that 85 percent of women of childbearing age will get pregnant within a year of regular, unprotected sex.
  • Ovulation predictors are not birth control. Ovulation tests indicate the days when women are most fertile and more likely to conceive, but it is still possible to become pregnant outside of that small window. Some devices, like the OvaCue, have been used to prevent pregnancy, but users should carefully research the product before using it as a contraceptive.
  • Before a woman starts trying to conceive, she should talk to her doctor. Though this is especially important if a woman has any health conditions or is on any medications, as some are contraindicated in pregnancy, it is equally important if a woman is healthy. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and drinking can greatly impact a baby's health.
  • A positive result doesn't guarantee success. Some women experience more than one LH surge during their menstrual cycle. Others may experience a surge without any ovulation; something that experts say can happen periodically. If a woman has been trying to conceive for a while, (a year if she's under 35 years of age, less time if she's older or have concerns) without success, it is recommended that she see her doctor.
  • Not all ovulation predictors and fertility devices work for all women. Some do not work if a woman has a very short or very long menstrual cycle. Also certain health conditions and medications can interfere with results. Examples include polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), menopause, thyroid disorders and fertility medications.
  • Read the directions. Thoroughly read the directions before using any ovulation predictor or fertility monitor. For the urine LH tests, some can be used in midstream-urine while others require you to collect the urine in a cup first. Also the amount of time before a woman can read the test and how she is to read it may vary between manufacturers. Fertility monitors such as the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor, the OV-Watch Fertility Predictor and the OvaCue Fertility Monitor require specific set-ups to get accurate results.
  • An irregular cycle means more testing. Women with irregular cycles should begin testing earlier in the month and test for a longer period. This requires more than the five to seven tests contained in most urine LH kits or 10 tests if she's using the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor.
  • No positive results? Check to make sure testing began on the right day of the user's cycle. If it did, it's possible the user isn't ovulating this cycle. Another possibility is that the user's LH surge is too short, less than 10 hours, or too low for the test to detect. The user can try testing twice a day, but if she continues to have no positive results over three consecutive months, then she should see her doctor.

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