Repeated Negative Ovulation Tests – Are You Infertile?

Women who are trying to become pregnant will use all kinds of methods to determine their most fertile time (ovulation date), including monitoring their cervical mucus, fertility charting and ovulation calendars.

Ovulation tests are a useful way to help predict your fertile window. They detect a rise in luteinising hormone (LH), known as the LH surge, which usually occurs shortly before ovulation. However, repeatedly getting a negative result does not by itself mean that you are infertile.

Before you let your mind go there, consider the possibility that you’re making some common errors when using ovulation tests. The first thing we always recommend is that you check out the Zoom Baby ovulation test FAQ. If you are not taking the test correctly, you may find that the results you are getting back are not accurate.

How Early Or Late In The Cycle Are You Testing?

Ovulation predictor kits can be useful for identifying the LH surge, but their accuracy depends on the particular test and how it is used. Most women don’t test themselves every day throughout their cycle. Instead, they will work out approximately when they usually ovulate and begin testing several days beforehand. Many ovulation calendars estimate ovulation by working backwards from the expected date of your next period.

While the average cycle length is often described as 28 days, it’s important to remember the keyword there: average. Your cycle could be longer or shorter, meaning you could be testing too early or too late to detect your LH surge. Following the instructions supplied with your particular test and testing over several days can make it easier to identify your surge.

At What Time Of The Day Are You Testing?

Pregnancy tests and ovulation tests detect different hormones and should not necessarily be used in exactly the same way. Pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), while ovulation tests detect luteinising hormone (LH).

The best time to use an ovulation test can vary between products, so always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Urinary LH testing generally correlates well with the hormone surge when performed on midday or evening urine, but the important point is to follow the instructions for the particular test you are using and test consistently.

Don’t let an ovulation test rule your sex life. If you want to have intercourse regularly throughout your cycle, do it. Sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for several days, which is why intercourse in the days before ovulation can result in pregnancy.

Timing Is Everything: The LH Surge Window

The LH surge can sometimes be relatively easy to miss. Urinary ovulation tests are designed to identify the mid-cycle rise in LH that normally precedes ovulation by around one to two days, but the duration and pattern of the surge can vary between people and between cycles.

A negative result therefore does not necessarily mean that you are not ovulating. You may have started testing too early or too late, missed a relatively short surge, or the test may not have detected your particular LH pattern. False-negative and false-positive results can occur, so an ovulation test should be regarded as a way of predicting approaching ovulation rather than proof that ovulation has or has not taken place.

You May Have An Underlying Ovulation Issue

Have you been using ovulation predictor kits regularly and none has come up positive? Are you using those kits at the right time? Are you using more than one method to understand your cycle? Have your periods become irregular or stopped?

If you repeatedly fail to detect an LH surge despite testing correctly, particularly if your periods are irregular or absent, it is worth discussing this with your GP. There are several possible reasons for problems with ovulation, and an ovulation test cannot diagnose the underlying cause.

Possible factors associated with ovulation problems can include:

• Very high levels of exercise
• Being significantly underweight or changes in body weight
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Problems affecting the hypothalamus or pituitary gland
• Abnormal prolactin levels
• Problems affecting ovarian function
• Some medicines and medical treatments
• Other hormonal or medical conditions

If you have regular monthly menstrual cycles, this is generally reassuring because you are likely to be ovulating. If your cycles are irregular, absent or unusually long, your GP may recommend further investigation. Tests used when investigating fertility can include blood tests to assess whether ovulation is taking place and, where appropriate, other investigations to look for possible causes.

If you have been having regular unprotected sex for a year without becoming pregnant, speak to your GP. Current UK guidance recommends earlier assessment if the person trying to become pregnant is aged 36 or over, or if either partner has a known or suspected fertility problem or a history that could affect fertility.

There are many reasons why pregnancy may not happen straight away, and they are not all related to ovulation. A negative ovulation test on its own cannot tell you whether you are fertile or infertile. If you are concerned, your GP can discuss your menstrual history and arrange or refer you for appropriate fertility investigations.

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