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Ovulation Test and Fertility Test Methods

All ovulation testing is done on a time basis. This means that you have to conduct a series of fertility tests over a given period of time to determine the best time to conceive. ( Assuming you are trying to conceive.). Ovulation testing is not a reliable contraception method.

Essentially your body undergoes a definitive change during ovulation. All ovulation and fertility tests seek to identify the change in the quantity of any or a combination of the following present at any given time:-

Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Estrogen (Oestrogen)
Electolyte

Saliva Tests:-
There are several types of saliva test available on the market. They all perform an analysis of saliva which may be in a wet or dry form. They work by detecting estrogen, salt and or electrolytes present in the saliva.

Saliva may be analysed by:-

Placing a sensor or probe in your mouth.
Collecting a sample and placing it into or onto something.
Examining dried saliva using a small portable microscope.

Results can be optically compared or electronically computed and stored.

Urine Tests:-
Urine fertility or ovulation kits require the collection of a urine sample. These pregnancy predictor kits work by detecting the luteinizing hormone (LH) in a woman's urine. A test strip is then dipped into the sample and the resulting color change compared to a color base. These tests are one time tests and are reliable.

Vaginal Tests:-
This fertility test method requires the insertion of a probe approximately the diameter of a regular tampon. This samples the fluids present for analysis.

Temperature Tests:-
Basal Temperature fluctuates in your body depending on where you are in your cycle. The normal procedure is to take your temperature immediately upon waking each day. This temperature is then plotted on a chart or graph on a day by day basis. By identifying peaks and valleys in the cycle you can accurately predict the onset of ovulation and accordingly the best time to conceive.

The simplest form of testing for Basal ovulation temperature is to use a standard glass thermometer. The costs are minimal. The market provides much more sophisticated temperature determination devices. These range from digital readout thermometers to hand held computer sensors.

Blood Tests:-
The final frontier is the blood test. This requires laboratory input and the results are refutable. They are relatively expensive relative to the home version testing solutions available on the market.

Pregnacy Tests:-

A home pregnancy test will give a positive result when the level of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) rises above its normal non-pregnant level. Once a fertilised egg has implanted in the uterus the level of HCG will double about every 48 hours until it reaches a pregnancy peak which is high enough to stop your period. Detecting high concentrations is one of the first signs of being pregnant. Home pregnancy test sensitivity is extremely high with the modern kits available.

Pregnancy test are either urine or blood based.

Blood based pregnacy test are done by providing a blood sample to a laboratory. There are two types of test:-

Quantitative hCG Test or Beta hCG blood test. This measures the amount of hCG in your blood. The test is capable of detecting even very small Human Chorionic Gonadotropin levels.

Qualitative hCG Test. This test is simpler than the Quantitive test as it detects the presence or absence of hCG in your blood. The result is either positive or negative.

Urine pregnancy strip tests can be done at home, in a clinic, at certain pharmacies or your doctor's rooms. These tests either require you to urinate directly on a test stick or collect a sample and place it in a test vessel or well.

Sperm Count Fertility Tests:-

The home sperm count tests available have generally been set up to indicate whether the sperm concentration is above or below 20 million sperm cells per millilitre (millions/ml or millions/cc). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has has a standard recommendation that a sperm concentration of less than 20 million/ml may indicate male infertility

Home sperm count tests have the major advantage of privacy. Tests typically produce a positive or negative result.A positive result is one which shows a sperm concentration above 20 millions/ml and a negative result is one which shows sperm concentration of less than 20 million/ml. Home test kits contain 2 tests which need to be done 3 - 7 days apart. The tests work by staining the semen and comparing the depth of colour to a control colour. If your result is lighter than the control you have less and if it is the same or darker you have more than 20 million per ml.

You need to test several days apart to ensure greater testing accuracy. Sexual activity and or ejaculation should be avoided between tests The overall accuracy of the tests is approximately 80% for home users. Subsequent laboratory tests may be required and your personal physician will advise how best to proceed if you have a low sperm count.