Page 135 - Sex Manual Ebook

the next few days (though you may continue to see a ferning pattern up

to two days after ovulation).

How accurate are ovulation kits?

Urine-based LH tests are more accurate than salivary ferning kits, but

they're not foolproof. Follow the instructions on your kit carefully for

the most accurate results. Make sure you use the test at the time of day

recommended, and read the results within the timing window specified.

Also, keep in mind that because LH can surge with or without the

release of an egg, the tests can't tell you for sure whether you've

ovulated. Most important, don't use these kits to try to avoid

pregnancy, since you won't know exactly when you've ovulated or when

your fertile window has closed for that cycle. Salivary ferning tests are

less accurate than urine tests. Ferning may happen as early as six days

before you ovulate as well as at other times in your menstrual cycle,

particularly if you're taking the fertility drug Clomid (clomiphene). It

may also be hard to recognize whether ferning has happened on the test

slide. If you have poor eyesight, salivary ferning kits may not be the best

method for you. Taking Clomid or drugs containing human chorionic

gonadotropin (hCG) or LH can affect results for both salivary ferning

and urine-based tests. Ask your provider whether you need to stop