Wondering if you can still use ovulation tests after experiencing pregnancy loss? Dr. Gleaton shares how ovulation tests work and what to keep in mind when using OPKs after a miscarriage.
By OBGYN and fertility expert Dr. Kenosha Gleaton
Experiencing a miscarriage is a difficult and emotional journey. When and if you feel ready to try again, ovulation tests can be very useful. Let’s talk more about how they work and what to keep in mind when using OPKs after a miscarriage.
Using ovulation tests to identify your fertile window
If you’re trying to conceive, ovulation tests are a very effective way to predict when you’re ovulating. Since eggs only live for a short period of time after ovulation, it’s important to time it correctly so you can have sex before ovulating and increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Regardless which type of test you’re using — midstream, strips, digital tests — they all work by detecting the ovulation hormone, Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in your urine. LH is produced to trigger ovulation, so your levels will typically surge around 24–48 hours before you ovulate. This means a positive ovulation test is telling you you’ll be ovulating within the next two days, so you should start getting busy if you’re TTC.
