Why is the sensitivity of 20mIU/mL the best sensitivity?

A woman’s body goes through a natural ovulation cycle every month. Its main purpose is to enable women to become pregnant and prepare their body every month for possible fertilization. This natural process is divided into 4 phases:

Follicular phase: 2.40 - 12.6 mIU/mL

Ovulation phase: 14.0 - 95.6 mIU/mL

Luteal phase: 1.00 - 11.4 mIU/mL

Postmenopausal: 7.70 - 58.5 mIU/mL

When a woman is about to ovulate, her body releases a large amount of a hormone called LH (Luteinising Hormone). LH is always present in your urine but the levels increase (surge) in the middle of your cycle, causing you to release an egg from the ovary, this process is called ovulation. If the LH surge is present, ovulation is likely to occur in the next 24 to 48 hours.

When is it advisable to start testing?

WHEN TO BEGIN TESTING:

First, you must determine the length of your menstrual cycle. This is the number of days from the first day of your menstrual bleeding to the day before your next bleeding begins again. Count the first day of bleeding as day 1.

Calculate what the usual length of your menstrual cycle has been over the last few months. Once you have worked out the length of your cycle refer to the chart above to determine on which day of your menstrual cycle you should begin testing.

Example:

If your cycle is normally 28 days, the cycle chart above indicates you should begin testing on Day 11. The calendar above shows you how to work out when day 11 is.

SAMPLE CALENDAR

3 = first day of menstrual bleeding (day 1)

13 = day to begin ovulation testing (day 11)

What does "mIU/mL" mean and can ovulation tests be used as a means of contraception?

mIU/mL means milli-international units per milliliter. This value indicates from which concentration of LH in the urine the test becomes positive.

However, it is not advised to rely on ovulation tests as a form of contraception, because the tests only indicate when ovulation is imminent. Sperm can stay alive for a few days in a woman's body, which could result in an unwanted pregnancy.