The best time to take an ovulation test is with the second morning urine – roughly between 10 am and noon. The ovulation predictor test looks for a hormone called LH or luteinizing hormone in your urine. LH hormone surges 24 to 36 hours before you ovulate. If the surge occurs first thing in the morning, it can take 4 hours for the hormone to be detected, so your first morning urine may miss it. Below we look to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about when to take ovulation tests.
How many days after your period should you take an ovulation test?
Day one is the first day of your period. If you have 28 day cycles, test between days 10 to 18. If your cycles are longer but regular, like 32 days, start 32 minus 28 or 4 days later – days 14 to 22.
See a Fertility specialist (Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility or REI MD) if you’re not pregnant after up to a year of trying and you’re 34 years old or under, or not pregnant after six months of trying if you’re 35-39. See a REI soon if you have irregular cycles, or if you’re 40 or older. Even with a fertility specialist, conceiving can take time, so please do not wait too long to seek help.
When to Take an Ovulation Test: Morning or Night?
Morning is generally the best time of day to take an ovulation test, although you can take it at any time. For best results we recommend testing on the second morning urine, which for most people is between 10am and 12am.
Why Take an Ovulation Test with the Second Urine of the Day, Not First?
The hormone that ovulation tests look for to signal ovulation is luteinizing hormone (LH). This hormone can take 4 hours to come out in your urine, which is why it might be missed on the first urine of the day.
When to Take an Ovulation Test After Period?
For women with 28 day menstrual cycles, the best time to take an ovulation test is 10 to 18 days after your period. If your cycles are longer but regular, like 32 days, start 32 minus 28 or 4 days later – days 14 to 22. If your cycle is different or irregular we recommend speaking to a fertility specialist about the best time to take an ovulation test.
Should I Drink a Lot of Fluid Before Taking an Ovulation Test?
We don’t recommend drinking too much fluid in the 4 hours before you take your ovulation test. This helps ensure that your urine and luteinizing hormone levels are concentrated.
Can you get Pregnant Even if Ovulation Test is Negative?
It’s not likely. If the ovulation test was administered correctly and the luteinizing hormone peak has yet to occur, there is little to no chance of getting pregnant. However, there’s an extremely low chance of a false negative result with the kit to consider – but again, those are rare.
