infertility

When a woman decides that she may need help getting pregnant, often the first stop is the gynecologists office.  After all, most gynecologists are also obstetricians, so it makes sense to consult with them.  However, many women will later find that there is only so much the gynecologist can do, and they will sometimes be referred to a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) for further treatment.  Most doctors (regardless of specialty area) will agree that there are basic fertility tests which need to be performed.

Determining ovulation is almost always the first step.  While some women have a perfect 28 day cycle, not all women can so routinely determine when their next cycle will start.  It is a popular myth that ovulation usually occurs on the 14th day of each cycle.  Each woman is unique, and our bodies respond to stimulus differently.  Simply determining when ovulation occurs can help a couple conceive.

One popular way to determine when an egg is about to be released is by using over the counter ovulation predictor tests, also known as ovulation predictor kits (OPK).  These handy test strips come packaged just like a pregnancy test and are used in the same way.  Chemicals inside the test stick measure the amount of lutenizing hormone (LH) which is the chemical which stimulates release of the egg. Either urinating on the test strip or dipping it in a cup of urine will activate the chemicals inside the stick.  Generally, one line will appear to show that the test strip was activated and it will be used as a reference line.  A second line will appear when the test strip determines that there is a high level of LH, indicating ovulation within the next 24 to 48 hours.  An ovulation predictor is considered positive when the test line is as dark or darker than the reference line.  Some women will be able to see a fade-in pattern in the darkness of the test strip, while others will not even see a second line until the test is positive.  Couples should plan to have intercourse until a few days after the positive test. 

Almost all ovulation predictor tests will be packaged with instructions on which day to begin testing for ovulation.  The date one should begin testing is determined by the length of days in an average cycle.  The first cycle in which a woman uses the OPKs, she might plan to use more than one box of test strips in order to accurately record ovualtion. After all, it is better to continue testing until you see a positive test than to stop and miss the event all together!

Certain drugs, like Clomid, can interfere with the results of the test.  Most fertility experts recommend that a woman not begin using OPKs until approximately ten days after the last Clomid pill.  Using the tests within ten days of taking the pills can result in false positive results. 

Trackback URI | Comments RSS