Are ovulation test strips accurate for irregular menstruation?
Disease description:
My menstrual cycle has been irregular lately, sometimes coming earlier and sometimes later. I heard that ovulation test strips can detect the ovulation period. Can ovulation test strips still be accurate when the menstrual cycle is irregular?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Lu
In general, ovulation test strips may not be accurate for women with irregular menstrual cycles.
Irregular menstrual cycles may be caused by various factors such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), stress, and weight fluctuations. These factors can not only affect the menstrual cycle but also disrupt the normal secretion pattern of luteinizing hormone (LH). Ovulation test strips primarily predict the ovulation period by detecting LH levels in a woman's urine. When LH levels reach their peak, it typically indicates that ovulation is about to occur. However, due to the variability in menstrual cycles, women with irregular periods may find it difficult to predict when their LH peak will occur.
It is recommended for women with irregular menstrual cycles to continue using ovulation test strips daily or every other day, even outside of expected timeframes, to capture the occurrence of the LH peak. Additionally, the ovulation period is usually accompanied by a slight increase in basal body temperature. Therefore, it is also recommended to record basal body temperature each morning upon waking to enhance the accuracy of prediction.
In daily life, women with irregular menstrual cycles are advised to maintain healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular sleep patterns, moderate exercise, and balanced nutrition, which can help support overall health.
