Trying to get pregnant can be a big challenge for some couples. It can even involve endless trips to and from the gynaecologist. Luckily, determining your most fertile period has indeed become a speedy fuss-free process because of the ovulation test kit.
An ovulation test kit is a home-based kit that can be used to determine one’s fertile window. This is when intercourse is most likely to result in pregnancy. Not only are they accurate and reliable, but they're also convenient. They are also easily accessible as they can be purchased at any convenience store.
How does an ovulation test kit work?
The ovulation test kit works by measuring the level of luteinising hormones (LH) present in one’s urine.
Generally, LH is secreted at low levels throughout one’s menstrual cycle. However, higher levels of LH are secreted once a developing egg follicle reaches a certain maturity.
This triggers ovulation shortly after, within the following 12-36 hours. OTS are then able to detect the LH surge that happens in the middle of your menstrual cycle, indicating ovulation.
How can we choose the best ovulation test kit?
As there are endless choices of fertility tests and ovulation test kit brands to choose from, we made the task easier by focusing on two important factors:
- Level of sensitivity: The sensitivity of the ovulation test kit and test is judged by the minimum amount of LH in your system that the test can detect. Thus, a lower number indicates a more sensitive test. This is because it shows that the test can detect lower ranges of LH as compared to tests with higher thresholds.
- Easy to use: It is important to choose an ovulation test kit brand that is fuss-free and easy to use. This is so that they do not hinder the process of checking the ovulation window.
Using an ovulation test kit
- Firstly, avoid drinking large amounts of fluid. Excessive fluids will dilute your urine, which will thus make it difficult to detect your LH surge.
- Secondly, testing should be done at approximately the same time to ensure more accurate results.
- Lastly, follow the instructions. Even if different ovulation tests generally contain similar instructions, it's important to follow them clearly and carefully. This is to make sure to you can get an accurate result in the event that there are some specifics you must follow. For instance, some tests state how long you need to wait before results are produced and when the test is no longer valid to be read.
Step-by-step process of using an ovulation test kit
An ovulation kit is used to predict when a woman is most likely to ovulate or release an egg from her ovary. This can be helpful for women who are trying to get pregnant or who want to avoid pregnancy. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use ovulation kit.
- Step #1: How to use ovulation kit. Collect a urine sample. Typically, you will need to collect a urine sample in a clean, dry container. Some ovulation strips require you to use your first-morning urine, while others may allow you to use a urine sample collected at any time of day.
- Step #2: How to use ovulation kit. Open the ovulation test strip. Mostly ovulation test strip packaging will usually include ovulation strips or devices and a container for the urine sample.
- Step #3: How to use ovulation kit. Dip the ovulation strips/ovulation test strip or device into the urine sample. Follow the instructions provided with the kit, plus the ovulation test strip, to ensure that you are using the correct amount of urine.
- Step #4: How to use ovulation kit. Wait for the results. The kit will usually provide a timeline for how long you should wait for the results after dipping the ovulation test strip. This can range from a few minutes to several hours after putting urine into the ovulation strips.
- Step #5: How to use ovulation kit. Interpret the results. Ovulation test kits and ovulation strips typically use a colour-coded system to indicate the presence of the luteinising hormone (LH), which surges just before ovulation. If the test is positive, it means that ovulation is likely to occur in the next 24 to 48 hours. If the test is negative, it means that ovulation is not likely to occur in the near future.
5 best ovulation test kit brands in Singapore
Here are our recommendations for the 5 best ovulation test kit brands:
[product-comparison-table title="Best Ovulation Test Strips"]
Best for Using with App
The Easy @ Home Ovulation Test Kit is specially designed to give its users their best chance of getting pregnant. It does so by accurately tracking their cycle and predicting their most fertile days.
It is meant to be used together with the Free PreMom Ovulation Calculator app. This app enables easy tracking when you upload images of your test results. In particular, it incorporates multiple ovulation calculation methods in one platform. It also helps you double-check accuracy, as well as not miss any surges in LH.
Even if you have irregular cycles, the combination of an ovulation test strip and the App makes predicting your most fertile days an easy feat! In like fashion, reading the results is also simple: 2 vertical lines mean your LH is surging, 1 line means it is not.
Features we love:
- Levels of LH as low as 25 mIU/ml can be detected
- Easy to use as it has a thumb grip that improves grip
- 99% Accurate
- Compatible with PreMom Ovulation App
- Results available within 3 to 5 minutes
Cons:
- Significantly pricier than other brands
Most Popular
The Clearblue Ovulation Test Kit aims to maximize your chances of conceiving naturally by determining your two most fertile days. As with its brand name "Clearblue Ovulation Test Kit", you accordingly get clear digital results.
It is no surprise that Clearblue Ovulation Test Kit is one of the most popular brands in the market today, as it is not only fuss-free and easy to use but also able to produce clear digital results in just three minutes.
Using the Clearblue Ovulation Test Kit
The Clearblue Ovulation Test Kit is a popular choice for women who are trying to get pregnant. To use the Clearblue Ovulation Test Kit, you will need to collect a urine sample and dip the testing strip or device into the urine. If the Clearblue Ovulation Test Kit is positive, it means that ovulation is likely to occur in the next 24-48 hours.
The reviews
Overall, a lot of women are very satisfied with the ovulation test kit Clearblue has. The ovulation test kit Clearblue has for expecting moms was easy to use and provided clear instructions for collecting and interpreting the results.
This ovulation test kit Clearblue has is highly sensitive and can detect low levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), which surges just before ovulation. Women appreciated that the ovulation test kit Clearblue provided results in just a few minutes, so they didn't have to wait long to know whether I was likely to ovulate.
The digital display on the ovulation test kit Clearblue has for them was also very helpful, as it clearly showed the results and made it easy to interpret them.
These customers were also happy with the availability of the ovulation test kit Clearblue offers, as it was widely available at pharmacies and online.
Features we love:
- Levels of LH as low as 40 mIU/ml can be detected
- Undoubtedly easy to use
- Over 99% Accurate
- Shows your 2 most fertile days
- Results will be available shortly: in three minutes
Pros:
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Easy to use: The Clear Blue Ovulation Test Kit is easy to use and provides clear instructions for collecting and interpreting the results.
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Highly sensitive: The Clear Blue Ovulation Test Kit is highly sensitive and can detect low levels of luteinising hormone (LH), which surges just before ovulation.
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Quick results: The Clear Blue Ovulation Test Kit provides results in just a few minutes, so you don't have to wait long to know whether you are likely to ovulate.
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Digital display: Some versions of the Clear Blue Ovulation Test Kit have a digital display that clearly shows the results, making it easy to interpret the results.
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Widely available: The Clear Blue Ovulation Test Kit is widely available at pharmacies and online, making it easy to purchase.
Cons:
- Clear Blue Ovulation Test Kit is significantly pricier than other brands
- Results are available in three minutes. However, they can no longer be read after 8 minutes
Most Comfortable
Point-Of-Care(POC) Ovulation Test is known to be accurate and easy to use. Along with its high detection capabilities, it is also equipped with a visual and qualitative display of results to ensure that they can be easily interpreted.
POC recommends explicitly you do the test between 11 am to 3 pm and between 5 pm to 10 pm.
Features we love:
- Levels of LH as low as 25 mIU/ml can be detected
- Undoubtedly easy to use
- 99% Accurate
- Results will be available shortly: in 3 minutes
Cons:
- Results are available quickly, however they cannot be read after 10 minutes
Most Insightful
The Modern Fertility Ovulation Kit helps you identify your two most fertile days. It gets you more in sync with your cycle too.
Through the use of its free Modern Fertility App, the kit can carefully track your cycle, regardless of whether you have an irregular cycle or surges below the average LH threshold. Another critical point is the customised predictions that can be viewed and tracked.
Additionally, the test features easy-to-interpret results that are quick and simple to understand.
Features we love:
- Semi-Quantitative: Detects LH at low, high, and peak levels
- Undoubtedly easy to use
- 99% Accurate
- Compatible with the Modern Fertility App
Cons:
- Significantly pricier than other brands
Best Value for Money
Femometer Ovulation Test pairs up with their Free Smart Femometer App to accurately track your cycle. It also helps you predict your peak fertility, regardless of whether your cycle is regular or not.
Not only can the app automatically generate your test results, but it can also provide you with guidelines on your recommended use time of the ovulation test kit and ideal sex time.
Features we love:
- Levels of LH as low as 25 mIU/ml can be detected
- Undoubtedly easy to use
- 99% Accurate
- Compatible with the Smart Femometer App
- Results will be available shortly: in 3 minutes
Cons:
- While positive results do not vanish, negative ones will begin to get faint after 10 minutes
Price Comparison
In summary, here are the prices of each of the ovulation test kit brands we recommended:
Note: Each item and price is up to date as of September 23, 2021; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
Ovulation symptoms
Ovulation is the process by which a woman's ovaries release an egg. Many women experience ovulation symptoms, such as mild abdominal pain or discomfort, breast tenderness, increased cervical mucus, or changes in basal body temperature. Ovulation symptoms can vary from woman to woman, and some women may not experience any symptoms at all.
If you are trying to get pregnant, it's important to be aware of your ovulation symptoms so that you can try to increase your chances of conceiving. Some women may use ovulation predictor kits or fertility tracking apps to help them identify when they are most likely to ovulate.
If you are having trouble getting pregnant and are experiencing ovulation symptoms, it's a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider for further guidance.
List of ovulation symptoms
Here is a list of common ovulation symptoms that some women may experience:
- Mild abdominal pain or discomfort on one side of the lower abdomen
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Increased cervical mucus
- Changes in basal body temperature (BBT)
- Mild spotting or discharge
- Increased sex drive
- Mild pelvic discomfort or twinges
It's important to note that not all women experience ovulation symptoms, and the severity of symptoms can vary from woman to woman. If you are trying to get pregnant and are not experiencing any ovulation symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are not ovulating.
Some women may use ovulation predictor kits or fertility tracking apps to help them identify when they are most likely to ovulate. If you are having trouble getting pregnant and are experiencing ovulation symptoms, it's a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider for further guidance.
Whenever you feel like you have pregnancy symptoms or your regular checking, read: Pregnancy Test Kit: A Guide to Knowing You're Pregnant