Q. Can the technology, chemistry and accuracy of urine based ovulation prediction tests be trusted?
Q. What happens during the female reproductive cycle?
Q. When does ovulation usually occur?
Q. Why do I need Ovulation Prediction Products like LH urine tests or Saliva Prediction Microscopes?
Q. Can knowing when I am fertile affect the sex of my baby?
Q. How often should I use fertility testing products?
Q. I know that I can get pregnant at any time, but when is conception most likely?
Q. What is the sensitivity of the urine test?
Q. What factors could interfere with test results or cause incorrect readings?
Q. What happens if the LH Surge is not detected after using the five tests?
Q. What happens if neither the test line nor control line appears in the test window.
Q. What happens if the LH surge tests positive before all five tests are used?
Q. What could interfere with my test results (ie. all tests are negative or positive)?
Q. Does it matter precisely when the test results are interpreted?
Q. Should the tests be compared or correlated to each other for better prediction of the LH surge?
Q. Why do test result lines, especially the control line, vary in color and intensity from one test to another and does this mean the tests are defective?
Q. Can the technology, chemistry and accuracy of the OvuCard™ Ovulation Prediction System be trusted?
A. All lateral flow tests and testing devices shown have U.S. FDA approval, method and claims.
Q. What happens during the female reproductive cycle?
A. Hormones are secreted to prepare for ovulation. At the beginning of each menstrual cycle, the pituitary gland secretes a hormone, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), that acts upon the ovaries to prepare for ovulation. As one or more follicles in an ovary prepare for ovulation, they secret other hormones, estrogen and the luteinizing hormone (LH) that prepares the uterus for pregnancy by causing the inner lining of the uterus, the endometrium, to build up. The estrogen also causes some glands or crypts in the cervix to secrete a mucus discharge that is necessary for fertility, This mucus changes the environment in the vagina to make it more favorable to sperm life and likewise provides a medium through which the sperm swim upward into the uterus. The mucus typically starts as a rather sticky substance. Then, during the time of fertility, it becomes more fluid and copious, usually attaining a consistency very similar to raw egg white. Sometimes the mucus becomes so watery that it will no longer stretch like raw egg white but continues to produce sensations of lubrication or wetness at the outer lips of the vagina.
Ovulation. At ovulation, the ovarian follicle releases an ovum (egg) which is picked up by one of the Fallopian tubes near the ovary and transported toward the uterus. In order for pregnancy to occur, the egg must be fertilized in the Fallopian tube by sperm within 24 hours offer ovulation, because after that time the egg disintegrates and cannot be fertilized.
Post Ovulation. After ovulation, the ovarian follicle that released the egg secretes another hormone, progesterone, which suppresses further ovulation in that cycle. The progesterone continues to build the endometrium and maintains it after ovulation. It also causes the basal temperature to rise and the cervical mucus to thicken so much that it appears to dry up. Ovarian progesterone secretion continues for approximately 14 days. sometimes shorter and sometimes longer. When it stops, the inner lining of the uterus can no longer be maintained, so it is sloughed off in the process called menstruation, and the menstrual cycle starts again.
Q. When does ovulation usually occur?
A. The monthly fertility cycle of ovulating women (not menopausal) starts at the beginning of the first day of the menstruation period and ends on the first day of the following menstruation period. Ovulation usually occurs around the middle of the cycle (the twelfth to fourteenth days), but can occur at almost any time.
Q. Why do I need Ovulation Prediction Products like LH urine tests or Saliva Prediction Microscopes?
A. Guessing isn't good enough. Because your body is unique, you cannot rely on "usual" or "average" predictions. These products offer a scientific clinical approach that will enable you to learn when you are ovulating, and thus enable you to make informed decisions about family planning.
Q. Can knowing when I am fertile affect the sex of my baby?
A. In addition to letting you know when you are fertile, there is some slight statistical indication that the time of intercourse may, occasionally, have some effect on the sex of the baby. For example:
Female - Slightly more females are conceived when intercourse takes place three or four days before ovulation
Male - Slightly more males are conceived when intercourse takes place during ovulation , or no more than one to two days prior to ovulation.
Q. How often should I use fertility testing products?
A. By using the various ovulation prediction products daily for the first few months of your cycle and keeping a careful record of your test results, you will learn the normal cycle and hormonal patterns for your own body.
Q. I know that I can get pregnant at any time, but when is conception most likely?
A. Highly likely - From three days before ovulation to one day after ovulation
Quite likely - Three to four days before ovulation
Likely - Five days before ovulation, or one to two days after ovulation
Not likely - More than five days before ovulation, or more than two days after ovulation
Q. What is the sensitivity of the urine test?
A. The LH cassette test device is calibrated to an analytical sensitivity of 25 mIU/ml. This is approximately 35% more sensitive than the 40mIU/ml established by the 2nd International Standard.
Q. What factors could interfere with test results or cause incorrect readings?
A. Pregnancy, a recently terminated pregnancy or onset of menopause can cause misleading results. Failure to follow the test instructions, and interpreting results after the 3-5 minute time period has elapsed may compromise accuracy. Treatment with fertility drugs, birth control drugs or drugs containing hCG, LH or LH inhibitors can also interfere with test results.
Q. What happens if the LH Surge is not detected after using the five tests?
A. The correct cycle starting date may have been miscalculated, or one of the above factors may have influenced test results. Each test cassette has built in quality controls which make a defective test highly unlikely. Recalculate your cycle test start date and repeat the testing in the next menstrual cycle. If the LH surge is still not detected, you may wish to consult a physician.
Q. What happens if neither the test line nor control line appears in the test window.
A. An insufficient amount of urine has been dropped in the sample well on the cassette. At least 4-5 drops should be placed in the well. Visible migration of the urine from the sample well trough the membrane in the test window should be apparent. If this migration does not occur, and at least the control line is visible, then the test should be repeated using another cassette.
Q. What happens if the LH surge tests positive before all five tests are used?
A. You do not need to continue testing once the LH surge has been identified. You may save any unused tests for future testing, however be certain not to open the sealed pouch of any test prior to immediate use to avoid possible contamination the sensitive testing area membrane.
Q. What could interfere with my test results (ie. all tests are negative or positive)?
A. If you are pregnant, have recently been pregnant or have reached menopause, you may get a misleading result. This may also be true if you are taking fertility drugs or are receiving injections which contain hCG or LH.
Q. Does it matter precisely when the test results are interpreted?
A. Yes. The intensity and color of both the control and test bands will increase over time. Therefore it is important that the results be read within 3-5 minutes for accuracy. Results should not be interpreted after 5 minutes.
Q. Should the tests be compared or correlated to each other for better prediction of the LH surge?
A. No. Each test result should be read independently of any other test. When the LH surge occurs, that particular day’s test will show positive results.
Q. Why do test result lines, especially the control line, vary in color and intensity from one test to another and does this mean the tests are defective?
A. No. All urine based LH tests are intended to be used with each test independent from any other test. Once a positive test is obtained testing should be stopped. the LH surge has begun. Test results, including the color or intensity of test or control lines, cannot be compared or correlated one test to another. The reason is too many independent variables are involved in each test eg: urine concentration (or dilution), amount of sample used etc. Because one control all the variables involved with each individual test, you cannot correlate or draw conclusions from different test results. Not only will the result line vary in color and intensity test to test but also the control line will vary in color and intensity test to test. it all depends on the testing variables present for that particular test.