Fertility Tests to Increase Pregnancy Opportunities

Many women find it difficult to know when the fertile period. In fact, knowing the fertile period makes it easy to plan a pregnancy. Therefore, a fertile period test is needed in order to find out when is the best time to have sex. A woman's fertile period occurs when she ovulates, a process in which the egg is released from the ovaries into the fallopian tubes, so it is ready to be fertilized by sperm. The fertile period of women generally starts around 10 to 14 days before the next menstrual period arrives. However, this only applies to women who have regular menstrual cycles of 28 days. For women who have irregular menstrual cycles, it is quite difficult to detect when the body will ovulate every month. For that, we need a fertility test.

How to Find Out Women's Fertility with Fertility Tests

There are several fertility test kits that can be used to find out when fertility occurs, including:

• Ovulation test pack

One way to detect when a woman is fertile is to use an ovulation test pack. This tool is very easy to use, you only need to drip your urine sample into the tool. Ovulation test pack works by detecting changes in luteinizing hormone (LH) in urine. If the production of the LH hormone has increased, it means that ovulation will soon arrive and this is the best time to have sexual relations, if you want to have offspring. This tool is quite effective to find out the fertile period of women, which is 99 percent only in single use. Although very accurate, this tool cannot be used in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or Luteinized Unrupured Follicle Syndrome (LUFS), because the condition affects the LH hormone. Before you buy an ovulation test pack, ask the pharmacist first, because this tool is very similar to a pregnancy test pack.

• Basal temperature measurement

The second way to determine ovulation is to take a basal body temperature (BBT) measurement. Basal temperature itself is body temperature when resting. Basal temperature measurement can be done quite easily, you only need to set up a thermometer that has been equipped with a special gauge of basal body temperature. Then, use the thermometer when you wake up, before you get out of bed in the morning. Normally, a woman's body temperature that is not ovulating ranges from 36.2 to 36.5 degrees Celsius. But after the body ovulates, body temperature will increase by about 0.5 to 1 degree Celsius. This is caused by the ovaries that secrete the hormone progesterone, which will increase body temperature. To get accurate results, take measurements of basal body temperature every day in the full menstrual cycle, from the first day you experience your period until the first day of your next period. Don't forget to record the results of the temperature measurement in the book or enter it in your mobile application.

• Cervical mucus

In addition to the two fertility test kits, changes in cervical mucus can also be used as a reference. The condition of cervical mucus will change when the egg begins to be released. Changes in cervical mucus are influenced by hormones that regulate ovulation. Generally, when the egg is preparing to be fertilized in the body, cervical mucus will have a more elastic texture, transparent or slightly whitish, and smooth, like egg white. This mucus change may be difficult to distinguish for some women. However, you can check it using a tissue or finger that has been washed clean. Do this several times in one day, and if there is no mucus around the vagina, you are not in the fertile period. Cervical mucus will be difficult to use as a benchmark to determine the fertile period if a woman is vaginal discharge or using feminine cleaning products.

Health Disorders That Affect Women's Fertility

Despite being in the fertile period, lifestyle factors also play a major role in influencing a woman's chances of getting pregnant. Habits such as smoking, consuming alcoholic beverages, nutritional problems such as obesity or malnutrition, and stress, will greatly affect fertility. In addition to lifestyle factors, certain diseases can also affect a woman's fertility, including:

• Ovulation disorders

This disorder occurs due to several conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome and thyroid disorders.

• Blockage or damage to the ovaries

This condition is usually caused by pelvic inflammatory disease and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.

• The appearance of scarring on the pelvis

Scarring can occur due to pelvic infection, appendicitis, and postoperative abdominal or pelvic surgery.

• Endometriosis

The growth of the inner lining of the uterine lining tissue outside the uterine cavity.

• Tumor

Abnormalities such as tumors or cysts in the female reproductive organs can also affect fertility problems.

To find out exactly the cause of female infertility, immediately consult a gynecologist. Your doctor will do a complete examination to be able to ascertain the cause of difficult pregnancy, can also suggest a fertile period test that is right for you.