Ovulation
Test (LH) Instructions:
Strip Format:
How
the Ovulation Test Works:
This test
will help you find the time when you are most able to become pregnant.
It can help you plan your pregnancy. Luteinizing hormone(LH) is always
present in human urine. It increases just before a woman’s most
fertile day of the month. This LH increase triggers ovulation. During
ovulation an egg is released from the ovary. Because the egg can be fertilized
only 6 to 24 hours after ovulation [1], detecting ovulation in advance
is very important. Please read these instructions fully.
BEFORE
YOU BEGIN TESTING:
1. Read this
entire pamphlet carefully. Do not open the foil packet until you are ready
to perform the test.
2. Do not use the test after the expiration date printed on the package.
3. Store at room temperature 4-30oC (40-86oF). Do not freeze.
4. The test can be used any time of day.
5. Select a well-light room with a clean, flat surface for performing
the test.
WHEN
TO BEGIN TESTING:
1. Do not
use first morning urine samples as LH is synthesized in your body early
in the morning. It will not show up in your urine until later in the day.
2. The best time to collect your urine is between 10am - 8pm.
3. Collect urine at about the same time each day. Use a sterile container
each time
4. Reduce liquid intake about 2 hours before collecting your urine as
a diluted urine sample can prevent the test from detecting LH surge.
Please
refer to the table below for information on when to start using the ovulation
tests:
When
to Start Testing
| Your
Cycle Length |
Day
to Start On |
| 21 days |
Day
6 |
| 22 days |
Day
6 |
| 23 days |
Day
7 |
| 24 days |
Day
7 |
| 25 days |
Day
8 |
| 26 days |
Day
9 |
| 27 days |
Day
10 |
| 28 days |
Day
11 |
| 29 days |
Day
12 |
| 30 days |
Day
13 |
| 31 days |
Day
14 |
| 32 days |
Day
15 |
| 33 days |
Day
16 |
| 34 days |
Day
17 |
| 35 days |
Day
18 |
| 36 days |
Day
19 |
| 37 days |
Day
20 |
| 38 days |
Day
21 |
| 39 days |
Day
22 |
| 40 days |
Day
23 |
TEST
PROCEDURE
STEP
1
Bring the test pouch to room temperature (18-30?C). To begin testing,
open the sealed pouch by tearing along the notch. Remove the test from
the pouch.
STEP
2
Holding the strip vertically carefully dip it into the specimen. Do not
immerse the strip past the maximum line (figure 1).
STEP
3
The strip can be removed from the specimen when red dye begins to migrate
through the Result Window. Interpret test results at 5 minutes.
INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
Interpret
the test results at 5 minutes. Do not read after 5 minutes
The right section of the Result Window indicates the test results. If
another purple colored band appears at the right section of the result
window, this band is the Test Band (T).No
LH Surge: The presence of a purple Control Band and a lighter purple Test
Band means that an increase in LH is not detected.
The presence
of only one purple colored band (Control Band) within the Result Window
indicates that no LH increase has been detected (Figure 2).
LH Surge: The presence of two purple bands of similar color and darkness
within the result window, no matter which one appears first, means that
an increase in LH is detected (Figure 2).
The Test
Band may be darker than the Control Band (Figure 2).
Invalid - The test result is considered invalid if no purple colored band
is visible within the Result Window (Figure 2). Not following the directions
correctly or using a test after the expiration date can cause invalid
results.
FUNCTION
OF THE CONTROL BAND
The Control
Band is used as a reference. If the Test Band is similar in color or darker
than the Control band, the ovulation test result is positive. If the Test
Band is lighter in color than the Control Band, the test result is negative.
The Control Band is also used for procedural control to determine if the
test reagent is working properly.
Important: After you have read your result, the test
should be discarded.After
each test, you must decide if you are having an LH surge. If your test
result is positive, you are probably having an LH surge. An LH surge can
last from one to three days
If your
test result is negative, you are probably not having an LH surge. Remember
that a pink-rose test band lighter than the control band shows that there
is only a very low level of LH in your urine.
Questions
and Answers
Q:
When can I take the test?
A: After you determine the best day to start testing based on your monthly
cycle (see When to Begin Testing), you can do the test any time that day.
You do not have to use your first morning urine. However, you should do
the test at about the same time each day. Reduce your liquid intake for
2 hours before testing.
Q:
What if no band appears in the result window?
A: If no band appears in the result window after 5 minutes, the result
is invalid and you should repeat the test using another test kit. (see
Invalid Results)
Q:
I have used all five tests and I do not see a surge, What do I do?
A: Since not every woman ovulates mid-cycle, you may not detect the LH
surge in the first five days of testing. This could mean you have not
ovulated yet and you should continue testing with additional ovulation
tests.
Q:
I have tested for 8 days and I did not see my LH surge, what is wrong?
A: About 90% of ovulating women with regular cycles will see their surge
during 8-10 days of testing [2]. If you do not, it could mean that you
have not ovulated this month. If you are having a short cycle this month,
it is possible that you have ovulated before you started testing. If you
are having a long cycle this month, you may not have ovulated yet. You
may continue testing or test again next month. Don't worry, it is normal
to have an occasional short or long cycle, or to have a cycle without
ovulating.
Q:
I have used the ovulation test for three months, and each month I have
seen a surge and have had intercourse that day or night. I have not become
pregnant yet. What is wrong?
A: First, it is important to remember that it can take normal, healthy
couples many months to become pregnant. There are many factors which affect
your ability to become pregnant even if you have been able to have intercourse
during your most fertile time. If after several months you have no success,
consult your physician.
Q:
What could interfere with my test result?
A: If you are actually pregnant, have recently been pregnant, or have
reached menopause you may get a misleading result. Some prescription drugs,
such as menotropins for injection and danazol may affect the result you
see, please consult your physician if you question your test results.
Q:
If the Ovulation Test can determine my most fertile time, why can't I
use it for contraception?
A: Sperm can survive up to 72 hours, and this test predicts your LH surge
only up to 24 to 36 hours in advance. Therefore, if you have intercourse
before you discover your surge, the egg can still be fertilized.
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