Predicting Ovulation

Ovulation is the release of a mature ovum (egg) from an ovary. The release enables the egg to be fertilized by the male sperm cells. It occurs about every four weeks, approximately 14 days before the start of the next menstrual period.

If the egg is not fertilized, it will degenerate. The uterine lining that had built up in preparation for the fertilized egg will then slough off and menstrual bleeding will begin about two weeks after ovulation.

Occasionally, cycles occur in which an egg is not released; these are called anovulatory cycles. A woman can get her period even though she is not ovulating.

Ovulation Predictor Kits
Benefits Of Predictor Kits
Drawbacks Of Predictor Kits

Ovulation Predictor Kits

An ovulation predictor kit tests female urine for a hormone that signals when ovulation is imminent. It detects the increase in lutenizing hormone (LH) in the urine, which usually occurs a day and a half before ovulation.

Ovulation kits can be purchased at most drugstores.

Benefits Of Predictor Kits

Accurate: more accurate than charting basal body temperatures (BBT) and cervical mucous.
Convenient - done in the privacy of a woman’s home.
Precise - able to predict ovulation a day and a half before it happens making it easier to time intercourse.
Simple: only needs to be used mid-cycle, instead of every day.

Drawbacks Of Predictor Kits

Kits can be expensive and testing may need to occur over several days.
May miss the range of days if testing is started after ovulation has already occurred.