What are LH tests?

LH tests are similar to pregnancy tests with the difference being that they test for luteinising hormone (LH)  instead of HCG. A rise in LH signals the ovaries to release an egg. They are taken by dipping the strip into a urine sample then comparing the lines shown to the package instructions. Usually, an LH surge is observed when the test line is as dark, or darker, than the control line on the testing strip. 

When can they be helpful?

Some fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) incorporate the use of LH tests into their overall protocol. Given this, using them can be a valuable piece of the puzzle when evaluating your fertility and menstrual cycle when using them as part of a wider method. They can also be useful to those who want to estimate when they might ovulate but aren’t too worried about learning a full FAM method (for example, those early in their TTC journey or someone just trying one out out of personal curiosity). 

Why I don’t use them

I personally believe that my opinions on LH testing would be considered unpopular. Before we dive into my reasoning, I just want to add the disclaimer that, in the below, I am not referencing anyone who uses a FABM which involves LH testing as part of the protocol or those advised to use them by a medical professional due to personal health challenges. These circumstances differ from those who are just casually using them or perhaps using them improperly. 

Budget

Firstly, as I use the symptothermal method (where I analyse basal body temperature, cervical mucus and optionally, cervical position), LH tests are not a necessary part of my cycle analysis. Given this, it’s an extra cost that I simply don’t need to spend month to month. While there are budget-friendly options out there, I’m definitely still someone who likes to save money by not buying things I don’t really need! 

Clarity

Secondly (this is an issue more personal to me and my cycle), I found the strips quite difficult to use and identify a surge. When testing during my fertile window (close to when I would assume ovulation may occur according to my cervical fluid), I would experience several days worth of positive tests. In contrast, some users find that they can completely miss their surge by only a few hours if they can only test twice in a day due to other commitments. This extremely wide period of positive tests, for me, did not help me to drill down when exactly ovulation was occurring (side note: cervical position has actually proven the most accurate for me personally). If someone experiences a similar situation to me, this may not be very useful when trying to time intercourse to conceive, beginning or ending cycle-sensitive medications or if engaging with natural cycle IUI. In my personal opinion, it may be easier just to use something like the symptothermal method for greater levels of clarity.

Lack of understanding

Finally, LH tests are unfortunately misused or misunderstood. A positive LH surge cannot tell you that you actually ovulated, it can only tell you that your body prepared to do so. Some people can experience several LH surges before ovulation successfully occurs (sometimes due to medical issues such as PCOS or even cycle disturbances like stress or dietary changes). Due to this, I have seen several people who attempt to use LH tests alone (i.e with no other rules being followed or bioindicators being observed and charted) as a method of fertility awareness for birth control. Not only is this risky but it also doesn’t give you enough information to truly form a full analysis of the cycle as no formal method is being followed. On the flip side, I have seen a significant amount of frustration from the trying to conceive community. Due to the misinformation that a positive test must equal ovulation, the fertile window may be missed if the couple ceases intercourse after when they believed ovulation occurred – as previously mentioned, some individuals may have a few LH surges before ovulation is successful.

Final thoughts

As you can probably tell, I’m not the biggest fan of LH testing outside of a formal fertility awareness protocol. For those interested in charting the cycle or even just finding out if you are ovulating, I would always recommend learning a formal fertility awareness method with an instructor. With this, there is less room for frustration, mishaps (when trying to avoid pregnancy) or just plain confusion. 

What are your thoughts on LH tests? Have you tried them? Let me know in the comments.