Ovulation Detection
Urinary Test Kits
Ovulation can be documented using a basal body temperature chart or by monitoring the level of leutinizing hormone (LH) with a urinary test kit. It is important to predict the approximate time of ovulation in order to insure that intercourse occurs on the most fertile days.
Once the egg matures, the hypothalamus signals the pituitary to release a burst of leutinizing hormone (LH) which stimulates ovulation to occur within 36 hours. LH is excreted in the urine; therefore, increased levels in the bloodstream are measurable by urinary test kits. These kits predict ovulation 1-2 days in advance so they are much better for timing intercourse.
BBT Monitoring
The basal body temperature (BBT) thermometer measures the slight rise in temperature (.5 Degrees) that occurs shortly after ovulation. The increase in body temperature is associated with the production of progesterone and indicative of ovulation. We rarely recommend BBT charting because it is less accurate than urinary LH measurements, it is time consuming, and inconvenient.