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Writer's pictureProf. Dr. Osman Balcı

Ovulation (ovulation) Test



TESTS FOR DETERMINING ovulation day


Ovulation, that is, ovulation, is the release of the egg from the sacs called follicles in the ovaries, normally in the middle of each menstrual period.

Ovulation tests that women can do themselves at home are used to determine the day of ovulation and to increase the chance of pregnancy by having intercourse close to this day.

In order to understand the mechanism by which home ovulation tests work, first of all, it is necessary to know how ovulation happens and how the menstrual cycle takes place every month.

How and when does ovulation (ovulation) and menstrual cycle happen?

The day the menstrual bleeding starts is the beginning of a menstrual period (cycle) and the total menstrual period lasts about 1 month.

The menstrual period does not mean only the days of bleeding, but the average 1-month period from the first day of a period to the first day of the next period.

At the beginning of this period, the FSH hormone secreted from the pituitary in the brain increases and gradually ensures the growth of the egg.

Estrogen hormone is secreted from the growing egg follicle and this hormone gradually increases like FSH.

When it comes to the middle of the menstrual period (ie 14 days after the start of menstrual bleeding), FSH and estrogen hormones reach their highest levels,

Meanwhile, there is also a sudden increase in the secretion of LH hormone from the pituitary. This sudden increase in LH hormone (LH peak) is the main mechanism that provides ovulation.

Ovulation occurs 24-36 hours after the LH surge. Ovulation tests in the urine detect this LH surge.

Tests in saliva are also based on increased estrogen. After ovulation, estrogen, FSH, LH hormones decrease, and progesterone hormone begins to increase.

After ovulation, the follicle with the egg turns into the corpus luteum and progesterone is released from there.

If pregnancy does not occur, a later decrease in progesterone will initiate new menstrual bleeding.

If pregnancy occurs, progesterone will ensure the continuation of the pregnancy in the uterus and will continue to be secreted without decreasing.

Ovulation (ovulation) test in the urine, (LH test)

The urine ovulation test detects the LH hormone increase described above.

When the LH hormone increases in the blood, it also passes into the urine.

To capture this LH surge in the urine, this test should be done every day near the day of ovulation.

For this reason, those whose menstruation is regular once a month can start the test 12 days after the start of menstrual bleeding and test every day for 5 days.

However, the test start time will vary for women with different menstrual cycle lengths.

For example, the length of the menstrual period, that is, from the first day of one menstrual bleeding to the other menstrual bleeding;

Persons whose period until the first day is 35 days should start the test on the 18th day by counting from the first day of menstruation, and test for 5 days.

Because ovulation will start later in these women. Ovulation occurs approximately 14 days before the onset of menstruation.

It is difficult to predict the day of ovulation in women with very irregular periods, in these cases you should consult your doctor about when to start the test.


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