I want to be very clear in my answer and make sure that no one misunderstands
what I am about to say. At-home ovulation tests are very accurate if you are
trying to become pregnant. They are NOT effective as a form of birth
control.
When a woman is about to ovulate, her body produces a large amount of a
substance called Luteinizing Hormone (LH). LH is the hormone that triggers the
release of a ripened egg from a woman's ovary. Over-the-counter ovulation tests
detect the presence of trace amounts of LH in urine. This surge in LH usually
occurs 24-36 hours before ovulation. Pregnancy is most likely to occur at the
time of ovulation, so this is a good time to have intercourse if you are trying
to conceive.
However, there are many things that can cause false positives, including
polycystic ovarian disease and ovulation-inducing drugs such as menotropins.
Misleading results can also be caused by pregnancy, a recently terminated
pregnancy, onset of menopause, or treatment with hCG, LH or LH inhibitors.
It is all about numbers. You increase your chances of becoming pregnant by
having sex during ovulation, and and these tests can help you predict your
ovulation. However, you can still get pregnant during other times in your
cycle, so there is no reason to avoid having sex during other times of the month.
In conclusion, these tests can give you that extra edge, but if you are having
real problems, you should see your doctor.
