We have tested the most popular ovulation tests on the market

During our 16 years of experience with fertility and pregnancy in the clinic, we have gained in-depth knowledge and expertise about ovulation and the ovulation tests available on the market. Here, we have gathered our very best tips and insights for testing your ovulation before your insemination treatment at Diers Klinik.

When and how often should I test?

You should start testing approximately two days before your expected ovulation. Your menstrual cycle during the last six to twelve months will determine which cycle day we recommend that you start testing.

We will always offer you detailed guidance on this during the consultation. Please always feel free to call us or send us an email if you have any questions. Remember to note down your menstrual bleedings (1^st day of menstruation)

As a rule, we recommend that you test twice a day at an interval of 10-12 hours.

However, if you have a long travel time to Denmark and do not plan to travel before you have a positive ovulation test, we recommend you test three times a day at an interval of 6-8 hours – morning, noon and evening. This is to determine the ovulation time as closely as possible, so you will have time to travel to Denmark.

Choice of ovulation tests

There can be a significant difference between test results on your first and second morning urine. Your choice of ovulation test determines whether you should test on your first or second morning urine;

1. If you use ClearBlue, you should test with the first morning urine
2. If you use a test with two lines, you should test with the second morning urine – or with urine from late in the morning

If you buy a ClearBlue test, we recommend that you go for the “pink” variant which only tells you whether you have a surge in LH (luteinizing hormone) or not. ClearBlue tests display a smiley when you ovulate. We do not recommend the “purple” variant.

If you buy an ovulation test with two lines, we recommend that you do not buy strip tests. Instead we recommend stick tests, for instance Boots Ovulation Test Kit or Valmed stick tests.

Here is a tip from us: Test with the pink ClearBlue ovulation test when you test on the first morning urine. And use a stick test with two stripes when you test later in the day.

How to interpret the result of the ovulation test

If you use an ovulation test with two stripes, the following applies: 

Your ovulation test is positive when the test line is equal to or darker/more prominent than the control line. Please read the instructions to see how many minutes you will need to wait before reading the result of your test.

You may want to take a photo of your result once the test is ready to be read. If you are in doubt, we are happy to help you read and interpret the result of your test.

If in doubt, please send us a photo by email and remember to include the following:

1. The time of day the test was taken (remember not to test with the first morning urine on a test with two stripes)
2. The day of your cycle on which the test was taken
3. The usual duration/length of your cycle

A positive ovulation test

When your ovulation test is positive, your ovulation will take place approximately 24-36 hours after the surge in LH.

Once you have tested positive on a test, you should stop testing and book an appointment here at Diers Klinik.

It is important that you have a negative ovulation test approximately 8-12 hours before your first positive ovulation test, so we know when the increase in LH has begun.

When and how to book an appointment for insemination

You need only book an appointment for insemination by phone or email once your ovulation test is positive. If you have a long journey time, do not hesitate to leave your home before you have received a confirmation from us. Please contact us before 10.00 a.m. if you wish to book an appointment the same day.

We open every day at 9 a.m. so the first appointment of the day usually starts immediately hereafter. The last appointment of the day for insemination is always at 3.00 p.m. The last time for insemination with acupuncture treatment is at 2.30 p.m. The last time for insemination with purified partner sperm is always at 2.00 p.m.

If your test is positive in the evening, you should ideally turn up at the clinic for insemination the following day.

If your test is positive in the morning – and the test the evening before was negative – you should ideally turn up at the clinic for insemination the same afternoon. If you are unable to show up for the treatment in the afternoon of the same day, we recommend that we have the insemination carried out the following morning as early as possible.

It is important that you do not turn up at the clinic for treatment right after your test is positive. The reason for this is that an insemination treatment right after a positive test will be too early. Purified sperm cells, which are used for the insemination, cannot survive as long as sperm cells in unpurified seminal fluid.

Feel free to contact us

If you are in doubt or have any questions, please feel free to contact us every day between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. We can offer you an ultrasound scan if you have considerable doubts about the result of your ovulation test.

We are looking forward to welcoming you and your partner, if any, to insemination treatment at Diers Klinik.

Best of luck with the testing!

Janni, midwife at Diers Klinik