Does a Faint Line on an Ovulation Test Mean Ovulation is Coming?
Dr. Gleaton breaks down the difference between the faint line on pregnancy tests versus ovulation tests.
By Dr. Kenosha Gleaton, Chief Medical Advisor, Natalist
Double lines on a pregnancy test may indicate a positive result, but ovulation tests are a little different. Let’s discuss what that faint line means, and how to tell when you’re really ovulating.
Why to use an ovulation test
If you’re trying to get pregnant, ovulation tests are helpful for identifying when your ovaries are going to release an egg so you can make sure it gets a welcoming (or fertilizing) committee. Eggs can only live for up to a day after they’re released, so it’s extremely important you have sex before and during ovulation to optimize your chances of getting pregnant. Using ovulation tests ensures you don’t miss this window.
What does a faint line mean?
If you have experience with analog pregnancy tests, you probably know that double lines, no matter how faint, mean a positive result. Ovulation tests can be a little more complicated to read — but as long as you follow the instructions carefully, you’ll get the hang of testing in no time.
