The American Pregnancy Association states that pinpointing ovulation is the best way to identify the best days to try to conceive a baby. By learning what to look for when shopping for an ovulation test, you can feel confident in your decision to select an ovulation test that will best suit your needs.
Step 1
Get information directly from people who have used the products. Getting honest opinions from actual users can be eye-opening and may help make your decision easier. If you do not know anyone personally who has used an ovulation test, read online reviews.
Step 2
Find out how sensitive the tests are. Ovulation tests work by analyzing the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) present in a woman's urine, according to the American Pregnancy Association. This hormone surges right before a woman is about to ovulate. Ovulation tests with a lower sensitivity level will be able to pick up this surge sooner and give a woman more advanced notice on when ovulation is approaching.
Step 3
Check the amount of tests that come in the package. Some brands offer only seven tests in a package, which may require some women with irregular cycles to buy more than one package and end up being more expensive than purchasing a package that comes with more tests.
Step 4
Compare the ease of interpreting results. Although many women make the mistake of thinking ovulation tests are read similar to a pregnancy test, this is not the case for most brands. In many ovulation tests, a woman must compare the test line to the control line, and the test is only considered positive if the test line appears darker. This can sometimes be difficult to interpret. However, some brands of ovulation tests have attempted to rectify this error by creating digital displays that are easier to interpret. Look at the package of the brands you are comparing to determine how to read the results for each.
Step 5
Analyze availability. Some brands of ovulation tests are only available online, while others can be found in almost every drugstore or supermarket.
Step 6
Look for bargains. Ovulation tests can become costly, particularly if you are a woman with a irregular cycle that ovulates at different times each cycle. If there is a brand that is significantly cheaper or one that has great coupon offers, it may be wise to select that test if all other factors are equal.
Tips and Warnings
- You may be able to get coupons for the ovulation test by going to the manufacturer's website or joining their online newsletter. Talking to your gynecologist or obstetrician to find out her opinion on which brand to use may also be beneficial.
- Certain drugs may interfere with the accuracy of ovulation tests, so women should talk to their doctors before using one, suggests Medline Plus.
