These days, many women – especially those who have irregular or long menstrual cycles – are using ovulation tests to determine when the right time to conceive is. Although ovulation predictor kits may not provide you an 100% guarantee or accuracy as to when you are fertile or ovulating, it can narrow down the window of opportunity considerably. The main problem with having irregular or long menstrual cycles is the unpredictability of both the woman’s fertile period and her ovulation stage. Unfortunately, even with the most ardent efforts on your behalf to procreate, simply doing the baby dance numerous times throughout the month, may still prove futile when it comes to conceiving at the right time.

Fortunately, ovulations tests can predict when conception is possible by a good 70% to 74% – which is not bad, considering that you can time all your impregnation efforts to a specific span of time.

So how do these tests work?  

The guiding principle behind these ovulation tests lies on hormonal secretions, or to be more exact: in the increase of Luteinizing Hormones (LH) in the woman’s system. LH is produced in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. If the brain releases more LH than usual, then this triggers a series of involuntary bodily actions that eventually lead to ovulation.

For starters, an overproduction of LH makes an ovarian follicle rupture. This can result in a free floating female gamete (egg cell) which makes its way steadily towards the fallopian tube. Once the egg cell completes its haphazard journey to this first sanctuary, it then lies in wait for male gametes (sperm cells) to fertilize it. Secondly, the cervix and the uterus create a life-sustaining atmosphere in preparation for the coming of a fertilized egg. Lastly, the brain sends signals to the rest of the body that it is sexually receptive. This may come in the form of an increased sex drive.

The ovulation stage really begins when the egg cell is already in the fallopian tube and waiting for possible suitors. Additionally, a woman is said to be especially fertile 1 to 2 days prior to the ovulation stage so be sure to take advantage of this bonus fertile days.

Ovulations tests are usually used religiously for several months. This is to determine: what the woman’s normal LH levels are, what her highest levels are, when does her highest LH levels occur. Once those three elements are determined, it will be relatively easier to predict when her next fertile stage or ovulation period will be.