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Ovulation Test Strip
Introduction
Luteinizing hormone (or LH) in elevated quantities causes ovulation (the release of the egg - or ovum - from the ovarian follicle). During the menstrual cycle only a small amount of LH is made, but in the middle of the cycle LH briefly and dramatically increases. This increase is called the "LH surge" and precedes ovulation. Conception is most likely to occur within thirty-six hours following the LH surge. The LH Ovulation Test is specifically designed to detect your LH surge - the time when you are likely to ovulate. If you receive a positive on an lh test, you are in your most fertile phase of your menstrual cycle.
When to start testing
Determine the usual length of the menstrual cycle over the last few months. Then, refer to the Ovulation Calendar Cycle Chart below to determine on which day of the menstrual cycle to begin testing. If your cycle is less than twenty-one days or greater than forty days, consult a physician.
Your cycle length Start testing on day Your cycle length Start testing on day
21
6
30
13
22
6
31
14
23
7
32
15
24
7
33
16
25
8
34
17
26
9
35
18
27
10
36
19
28
11
37
20
29
12
38
21
Specimen collection and preparation
Collect urine once per day, at about the same time between 10:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. The ideal time is early afternoon. Do not use first morning urine as a sample. Collect urine in a clean, dry cup or container.
The sample may be stored at room temperature (15º-28ºC) for up to eight hours, or in the refrigerator for up to twenty-four hours. Do not freeze the urine sample. Let refrigerated samples reach room temperature before starting the test (this will take about 30 minutes). For best results, test the urine on the same day it is collected.
Testing procedure
1.To begin testing, open the sealed pouch by tearing along the notch. Remove the LH test from the pouch. Use as soon as you can. Discard the silicate.
2. Dip end of strip into urine for 5 seconds, no more than 10 seconds. Do not exceed the max line.
3. Carefully place the LH test vertically into the urine cup for 10 seconds and lay the strip flat on a clean, dry, non-absorbent surface.
A positive result may be observed in as little as 40 seconds. However, to confirm negative result, the complete reaction time of 10 minutes is required.
Example
Interpretation of results
Within three to five minutes, two color bands will appear. For best results, interpret the test at 5 minutes. Do not read the results after more than ten minutes.
To determine your result, compare the color intensity, i.e. shade of color, lightness or darkness of color, of the test band to the control band. In determining a positive or negative result, it is important to compare the color intensity, for this will indicate whether or not the LH surge (indicating ovulation) is in progress.
Positive for the LH surge: If the test band is of equal or greater intensity (equal or darker) than the control band, this is a positive result and a good indication that the LH surge is occurring. (See the test marked "Ovulation" in the picture above"
Negative for the LH surge: If the test band is of lesser intensity (lighter) than the control band or cannot be seen, this means the LH level of the sample is at or near its basal (normal) level and that the LH surge is not in progress.
Invalid result: If no control band appears within five minutes, the test result is invalid and should be ignored. The control band will not appear if an insufficient volume of specimen is added into the test kit. Proper procedures may not have been followed in performing the test. Repeat with a new test kit.
Precautions
- Do not use test beyond expiry date.
- Keep in dry area, away from sunlight with temperatures between 2 °C et 30 ºC. Do not freeze.
- Do not use if the enveloppe is tampered with.
- Keep away from children.
- For in vitro diagnostic use only. Do not eat.
- The test device should not be reused.
Limitations
1. As with all diagnostic tests, all results must be considered with other clinical information available to you.
2. The test result should not be affected by pain relievers, antibiotics and other common drugs. After using the pill or the patch that contains HCG or LH, it could affect the test result and should not be taken while using this test kit. In addition, the test will not work properly if you are pregnant or menopausal.
If you are using Clomid®, Serophene® or any fertility drug, please follow your doctors instruction to know when to start testing with these tests.
3. A positive result means your urine contains the level of LH that would indicate you are beginning to ovulate. You can assume that you will ovulate within 24-36 hours. However, not every woman ovulates mid-cycle; therefore, you may not see a positive result during the first five (5) days of testing.
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