How The Test Works

The LH One-Step Ovulation Test Strip will help you find the time when you are most able to become pregnant. This test can help you plan your pregnancy. Luteinizing hormone is always present in human urine. LH increases dramatically just before women's most fertile day of the month in a process commonly referred to as the "LH Surge” This LH increase triggers ovulation, which means an egg is released from woman's ovary. Because the egg can be fertilized only 6 to 24 hours after ovulation, detecting ovulation in advance by testing for the LH surge is very important for women seeking pregnancy.

You may want to test every 12 hours if you want to make sure you "catch" your surge and are able to have sex within in the 6 - 24 hour time frame.

Before You Begin

• Read the entire test instructions carefully.
• Do not open the foil packet until you are ready to perform the test.
• Do not use the LH One-Step Ovulation Test Strip beyond the expiration date printed on the package.
• Store tests at room temperature (below 86 degrees F). Do not freeze.
• Early morning testing is not recommended as most women experience a surge but it does not show up until later in the day.
• Testing between 10am and 8pm is acceptable.
• Some women have found that their best sample is after 12 noon.
• Be sure to test at the same time each day.
• Reduce your liquid intake for 2 hours before testing, since drinking excessive amounts of liquids can dilute the LH in your urine.
• Select a well-lit room with a clean, flat surface for performing the test.
  

When to Begin Testing

You may test at any time of the day, but you should test at approximately the same time each day. Reduce your liquid intake for 2 hours before testing. To find out when to begin testing, determine the length of your normal cycle. The length of your cycle is from the beginning of one period (the day of first bleeding) to the beginning of the next. Count the first day of bleeding or spotting as day one (1). If your cycle length is irregular, that is, if it varies by more than a few days each month take the average number of days for the last 3 months. Use the chart shown to work out the day you should begin testing. The day you begin testing is listed opposite the number of days in your normal cycle.

Length of Normal Cycle (Total days)	Start testing this many days after your last period began.	Lenght of Normal Cycle (Total days)	Start testing this many days after your last period began.
21	5	31	14
22	5	32	15
23	6	33	16
24	7	34	17
25	8	35	18
26	9	36	19
27	10	37	20
28	11	38	21
29	12	39	22
30	13	40	23

For example, if your period normally begins every 28 days, you should begin testing eleven (11) days after the beginning of your last period.

SUN	MON	TUES	WED	THURS	FRI	SAT
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9 *	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19 (s)	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30	31

Note in the calendar above: If the ninth ( 9th) in the calendar above is the first day (day one *) of menstrual bleeding, then the 19th, or day eleven, of your cycle is the day to begin testing (s).

Instructions

Note if the expiration date is valid and remove the LH One-Step Ovulation Test Strip from the foil pouch. Holding the strip vertically with the absorbent pad end down, carefully dip the test into the urine specimen for approximately 6- 8 seconds or until you begin to see the migration of the sample into the result area. Do not immerse the strip past the stop line. Lay the LH One-Step Ovulation Test Strip on a flat surface with the result area facing up and wait 3-5 minutes for the results to appear. After the 5 minute mark, the test becomes invalid. Do not read the results after this point. After interpreting the test results, discard the test strip.

Interpretation of the Test

Interpret the test result at approximately 3 to 5 minutes. As the LH One Step Ovulation Test Strip begins to work, a colored band will appear in the upper section of the result area to show that the test is working properly. This band is the Control Band (C). The lower section of the result area indicates the test results. If another colored band appears at the lower section of the result area, this band is the Test Band (T) and indicates a positive test.

Positive Result The presence of two similar, purple-colored bands (equal darkness) within the result area, no matter which one appears first, means that an increase in LH hormone is detected (See results matrix). The color of the Test band should be the same as, or darker than, the Control Band to indicate a positive test for LH surge.

Negative Result
PLEASE NOTE!!! The presence of a purple Control Band and a lighter colored, or fainter, purple Test Band means that the LH hormone increase is not detected. The presence of only one purple color band (Control Band) within the result area also indicates that the LH surge has not occurred.

Invalid Result
If, after performing the test, no purple color band is visible anywhere within the result area, the result is considered invalid. The directions may not have been followed correctly or the test may have deteriorated. You have to repeat the test by using a new LH One-Step Ovulation Test Strip.

Function of the Control Band:
The Control Band is used as a reference and built in quality control check. If the Test Band is darker or similar to the Control band, the test result is considered positive. If the Test Band is lighter than the Control Band, the test result is considered negative. The Control Band is also used for procedural control to check whether the test reagents are working properly and that a sufficient amount of urine sample has been applied to the absorbent wick.

How to Recognize the LH Surge:
After reading the results of each test, you must decide it you are having your LH surge. If your test result is positive, you are probably experiencing your LH surge. A LH surge can last from one to three days depending on your cycle and other biological factors. If you have technical questions or you cannot determine a LH surge after several months, you should seek professional advice. If your test result is negative, you are probably not having your 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.

When to Stop Testing: Unless otherwise specified by your doctor, stop testing once the LH surge is detected.

Limitations of the Test

• The LH One-Step Ovulation Test Strip is not reusable.
• The test works only if the instructions are followed precisely. Although the LH One-Step Ovulation Test Strip is highly accurate and sensitive in detecting ovulation, an extremely low incidence of false results (positive when no ovulation exists or negative when ovulation exists) can occur.
• The LH One-Step Ovulation Test Strip should not be used for contraception.
• Some prescription drugs, such as menotropins may affect the test result. Certain rare medical conditions or the onset of menopause can cause elevated levels of' LH. Some women do not ovulate every cycle and they will not see any increase in the level of LH hormone during these non-ovulating cycles.

Questions Answers

Q: How accurate is the LH One-Step Ovulation Test Strip?

A: The LH One-Step Ovulation Test Strip has been shown to be over 99/o accurate in laboratory testing and 99% accurate in consumer testing.

Q: When can I do the test?

A: After you determine the best day to start testing based on your monthly cycle, you can do the test any time on that day. Testing with first morning urine is not recommended. Testing between 10 am and 8pm is a good time frame, with many REs suggesting testing at 10am. 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 area?

A: If no band appears in the result area after 5 minutes, the result is invalid and you should repeat the test with another LH Ons-Step Ovulation Test Strip.

Q: I have tested for five days and I did not see a surge. What do I do?

A: Since every woman does not always ovulate at 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 LH One-Step Ovulation Test Strips.

Q: I have tested for 8 days or more and I still 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. If you do not, it could mean that you have not ovulated this month. lf 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 that can affect your ability to become pregnant even if you have been able to have intercourse during your most fertile days. If after several months you have no success, consult with your physician or healthcare provider.

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 results you see. Please consult your physician if you have any questions about prescription drug interactions.

Q: Will oral contraceptives affect the result?

A: After using the pill your cycle may be irregular and may take some time to stabilize again. You may wish to wait until you have had two normal periods before starting to use the LH One-Step Ovulation Test Strip.

BACK to Test page

OVULATION (LH) TESTS
One Step LH Urine Ovulation Test is fast and easy-to-use. It is a qualitative test that predicts LH (Luteinizing Hormone) surge, and in turn, when you are likely to ovulate and conceive. Females who are trying to become pregnant may use this information to improve their chances of
conception. Luteinizing Hormone is a hormone released by the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain. The hormone stimulates the ovaries to produce and release eggs each month during the menstrual cycle. The level of LH in the blood is highest before ovulation. This increase in hormone level is sometimes called a "surge". If fertility drugs are given to stimulate ovulation, an LH test can help determine the best time for sexual intercourse. The LH test may also be used to determine when eggs are mature enough to be surgically removed from the ovary as part of the in vitro fertilization process. LH tests may also aid in the diagnoses of polycystic
ovary disease, premature ovarian failure, and menopause.

The tests detect LH in urine in a qualitative format with sensitivity of 20mIU/mL (International Standard Value) and specificity is 99.8%. Tests have an expiry date of 2 years and can be stored in a dry environment ranging from 2 to 30 degrees Celsius. Results are available in just minutes.

WHEN TO BEGIN TESTING
First, you must determine the length of your menstrual cycle. This is the number of days from the first day of your menstrual bleeding to the day before your next bleeding begins again. Please refer to the chart below to determine when you should start testing. If your cycle is shorter than 21 days or longer than 38 days, consult your doctor. If you do not know your cycle length, you may begin the test 11 days after your first period since the average cycle length is 28 days. Perform 1 test each day over a 5 day period or until the LH surge has been detected.

URINE COLLECTION
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.
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 ovulation tests:

Your Cycle Length            Start To Test 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

                                                    TEST PROCEDURE
STEP 1
Bring the test pouch to room temperature (18-30°C). Collect urine into a clean container (such as plastic cup). The best way to collect sample is by placing a cup in the middle of urination process. To begin testing, open the sealed pouch by tearing along the notch. Remove the test from the pouch when you are ready to use it.

STEP 2
Immerse the strip into the urine with the arrow end pointing towards the urine. Do not immerse past the MAX (maximum) line. Take the strip out after 5 seconds and lay the strip flat on a clean, dry, non-absorbent surface (e.g., mouth of the urine container). Do not immerse for longer than 7 seconds.

STEP 3
Wait for colored bands to appear. Depending on the concentration of LH in the test specimen, positive results may be observed in as short as 40 seconds. However, to confirm negative results, the complete reaction time (10 minutes) is required. Do not read the results after 30 minutes as this type of test is designed for rapid determination only.

INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
No LH Surge: Only one color band appears on the control region or the test band is present but lighter in color intensity than the control band. There is no LH surge even if two lines are present - as long as the test line is fainter than the control line- the result is negative.

LH Surge: If two color bands are visible and the test band is equal to or darker than the control band, one will probably ovulate in the next 24-48 hours. If one wants to be pregnant, the best time to have intercourse is after 24 but before 48 hours.

Invalid - Uncertain Results: No visible bands in the control and test regions. Make sure to follow the above specified instructions for optimum results. The intensity of the test line is directly proportional to the concentration of LH in urine.

Test results may vary for different individuals depending on the concentration of LH your body produces, as well as monitoring frequency, and testing technique. The best method is to test once a day, preferably later in the afternoon or early evening, by closely following test instructions.

PRECAUTIONS1. For single in vitro diagnostic use only - use test only once for urine screening.
2. Do not use test kit beyond expiry date.
3. Keep away from moisture, direct sunlight, and children.

Note: If you suspect that you have ovulation problems, or problems with detecting LH surge, please see your physician. There are numerous stimulatory procedures that can induce the ovulation surge.