Different Ovulation And Pregnancy Test Options

Ovulation has a direct effect on a woman's fertility. In most cases of female-related infertility, ovulation disorder, or trouble is a primary issue. Ovulation means releasing eggs during the menstrual cycle of a woman, and if it gets hampered, then women can face a delay or can't get pregnant at all. If a woman has fine ovulation, even then, due to various reasons, she can face troubles in conceiving experiencing a healthy pregnancy.

In normal instances, a couple shall have unprotected coitus for at least one year (if below 40) or six months (40 or above) before considering that they can be infertile. In this, if the woman misses her periods, she can get tested for pregnancy to confirm the news. It is necessary to get tested as the period can be irregular or missed for other reasons too.

Ovulation Tests

Ovulation Predictor Test

There many types of such tests. There's a urine test that detects LH's level (luteinizing hormone) or a saliva test for checking estrogen. Ovulation results in the release of LH and estrogen. However, the urinary test is considered more reliable, hence more commonly used. LH and estrogen are released before ovulation to prepare the body for a new cycle of periods and egg release.

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Chart

Ovulation causes a rise in body temperature by one and a half degrees Fahrenheit for two weeks. If the egg doesn't fertilize, then the temperature will drop back to normal during menses. During pregnancy also the temperature remains risen, so checking body temperature at an earlier part of the new cycle is also a measure of checking ovulation.

Endometrial Biopsy

Endometrium, the tissue in the inner lining of the uterus, is tested for its thickness. The testing of endometrium helps in determining whether ovulation has occurred and also if progesterone production is adequate. This test is done 7-10 days after ovulation.

Progesterone Level

Progesterone is the hormone responsible for egg formation. When ovulation is at its peak for 7-10 days, the progesterone level rises in the blood. By checking for high progesterone levels after 7-10 days of ovulation, it can be made certain that ovulation has been completed. Low progesterone level can be because of no ovulation or inadequate progesterone production.

Ultrasound Monitoring

For ovulation, the follicular cyst (a fluid-filled cavity that contains the egg cells) collapses. Through ultrasound, doctors check whether the collapse has happened or not. For this, a woman has to undergo daily ultrasound checkups for some days. This method is expensive and labor-intensive. Also, there are cases when ovulation can occur without a follicular collapse.

Pregnancy Tests

Urine test

Urine tests for pregnancy can be taken in a doctor's office or in-home as well. They detect the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in the urine. This hormone can generally be found in high levels in a female's body when she is pregnant. In the home test, the chemical stick changes color when it comes into contact with this hormone.

There's no point of difference in terms of accuracy and reliability. But a doctor can surely help in eliminating any possible errors that might affect the test's results. Home tests provide results in ten minutes, while the clinical test may take a week. In the case of HPT, for complete surety, the test must be taken at least twice.

Blood test

These tests are taken in a medical facility under a doctor's guidance. The qualitative hCG blood test and quantitative hCG blood test are two different blood tests taken to check pregnancy. In qualitative, the presence of hCG is checked, whether the body is producing it or not. In quantitative, the level of hCG is determined in the blood.

The quantitative hCG blood tests are highly accurate as they measure the exact amount. When hCG is present in small amounts, the qualitative hCG blood test or a urine test might miss testing its presence. After going through your coitus history, and the days since you have missed periods. The doctor will suggest an ultrasound or a second hCG test. Lastly, the blood test is more expensive than the urine test, and the wait is also longer.