You've decided to have a baby and want to know the best time to realize your wish to become pregnant? The Ovulation Test helps you optimize your chances of conceiving naturally by identifying your most fertile days in each cycle. It's easy to use and detects, in just a few minutes, an increase in thehormone LH, also known as luteinizing hormone or fertility hormone.

To maximize your chances of pregnancy, it's very useful to know your ovulation period in order to identify your optimal fertility date. Among the various methods available to detect this key fertility day, ovulation tests appear to be the most reliable.

What is an ovulation test?

An ovulation test is a test that detects the woman's ovulation period, an important parameter to know if you want to optimize your chances of pregnancy, or if you don't want to get pregnant. During each cycle, a woman is fertile for only a very short period: 3-4 days before ovulation and on the day of ovulation. Determining your ovulation period therefore enables you to identify your fertile period, or fertilization window, so you can plan your sexual relations at the right time.

Available over the counter in pharmacies and on the Internet, these tests take the form of strips or sticks onto which the woman places a few drops of urine, preferably at the same time of day.

The test detects luteinizing hormone (LH), and more precisely the LH peak. This hormone is produced in greater quantities 24 to 36 hours before ovulation: from less than 10 IU/ml at the start of the cycle to almost 70 IU/ml at the ovulatory peak, it is this rise in LH that triggers ovulation.

It is not necessary to carry out an ovulation test every day of the cycle; it would be unnecessary and costly. When choosing the date on which to start using the test, doctors recommend subtracting 16 to 18 days from the length of the cycle. For a 28-day cycle, for example, testing should begin on day 10 (28-18), i.e. 10 days after the start of menstruation. If no ovulation has been detected after 10 days of testing, it is advisable to repeat the tests in the next cycle, starting two days earlier.

In the case of variable cycles, it is preferable to use the shortest cycle and start testing earlier, so as not to miss ovulation. If cycles are very long (more than 40 days), very short (less than 22 days) or irregular, it's advisable to use another method, such as the temperature curve, to check for ovulation first.

See our selection of ovulation tests. Fight the little annoyances of everyday life with effective, high-quality remedies.

Why use an ovulation test?

Greater precision: Unlike traditional methods such as the temperature curve, ovulation tests offer almost instantaneous precision by directly identifying hormonal variations.
Efficient planning: these tests enable you to schedule your sexual relations on the most fertile days.
Simplicity and accessibility: Available in pharmacies and online, they are easy to use and require no prior consultation.

How to use an ovulation test?

Material and form:

Tests generally come in two formats:

Strips: Simple and economical, they require direct immersion in a container of urine.
Sticks: More practical, they can be placed directly under the urine stream.

Steps for use :

Choose the right time: Perform the test at the same time every day, ideally between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. It is advisable to reduce fluid intake before the test to avoid dilution of the urine.
Determining the test period: Subtract 16 to 18 days from the average length of your cycle. For example, for a 28-day cycle, start the test on the 10ᵉ day after the start of your period.
Read the results:
- A clear band or signal indicates an LH peak and, therefore, imminent ovulation within 24 to 36 hours.
- If no peak is detected, continue testing daily until a result is obtained or until the end of the cycle.

When to start ovulation testing?

Regular cycles :

For a 28-day cycle, testing generally begins on day 10ᵉ. It is not necessary to test daily throughout the cycle, as this would be costly and unnecessary.

Irregular cycles:

Long cycles: Start testing later, depending on the average length of your cycles.
Short cycles: Start testing earlier.
Very irregular cycles: Combine the ovulation test with other methods, such as the temperature curve, to confirm ovulation.

Advantages and limitations of ovulation tests

Advantages :

High accuracy: Reliably detects the rise in LH.
Easy to use: No prior training required.
Speed: Provides results within minutes.

Limitations:

Daily use required: May be restrictive for some users.
Ineffective in the case of highly irregular cycles: If your cycles vary considerably, a temperature curve or medical consultation may be necessary.
Cost: May represent an investment if used frequently.

What baby conception products can I find on the Soin-et-Nature website?

Soin-et-Nature offers a complete range of products to support women in their conception project and the early stages of motherhood. Here are the main categories available:

To prepare the body for pregnancy, adapted food supplements support fertility and promote optimal intake of essential nutrients.
To confirm pregnancy quickly and easily, pregnancy tests offer a reliable and practical solution.
Ovulation tests help to identify the most favourable periods for conception, and track the cycle with precision.
To maintain comfort during pregnancy, abdominal support solutions are available to relieve pressure and protect the back.
To prevent and reduce stretch marks, specific products moisturize and strengthen the skin throughout pregnancy.

These products for the conception of a baby, available on Soin-et-Nature, help to live this important stage with serenity and well-being, while naturally supporting the health and comfort of the mother-to-be.