Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsDidn't work, no LH surge detected
Reviewed in Canada on May 7, 2024
Not the easiest predictor as far as tests go, the lines (including the control line) appear much less solid than other similar tests which makes it harder to determine if the result is positive ie. both the control and LH lines are not solid and have a gradient or the result is negative as per the booklet instructions that the treatment line is lighter regardless if both are solid or gradient lines.
The test asks to wait 3 seconds when dipping which is less than the usual 5 seconds. They do define negative as no LH surge, but LH can still be present, so positive is the 24-48 hour LH surge prior to ovulation - snapshot in time .
Within the positive picture, either the test line is as dark or is darker than the control line, and instructions suggest to have intercourse for 2 days or after 24 hours after detection of the line, which I appreciate is more helpful and specific than similar tests. The FAQ is also very thorough in questions specific to these testing strips which I found very useful as well (eg pink background or streaking, which I noted in my batch of strips, to be normal and not being a concern).
They provide a chart based on your menstrual cycle on when you should start testing for the LH hormone. So for a 28 day cycle the testing day is day 12, however on test day 11 I could already see a light band in the testing region, and compared to other online ovulation calculators this is well into the "trying for conception" window. (eg. the trying for conception would have the window of day 9 - 14, with ovulation date on day 13). So I would even start testing the day before just to ensure the window isn't missed if the period is potentially irregular. And it is mentioned that the 9 strips included can be used as extras for testing earlier than their chart so as not to miss the fertile window.
The kit recommends to do one test per day over 5 days but if starting at day 11, I would need 3 days of testing before reaching ovulation after which point there would be no point in testing, so this would use approx 3 -4 sticks per kit, thus making this potentially max. 2 months worth of ovulation testers.
There is also no suggestion to say take the test in the morning when LH is highest that is suggested with other tests, instead they mention that the sample can be collected at any time of the day; or to time taking it at the same time everyday. There is a small booklet insert that has fields to fill out for days and time tested with 2 holes set very far apart that I can only see being used to hold the entire test strip and not for isolating and reading the portion of the strip with the result. I didn't find this particularly useful, and if you are to keep the strips to compare day to day, the pamphlet cautions against trusting readings after 5 minutes so the comparisons over days may not be accurate.
The small minus is of course the missing cup to pee into, some tests provide it in the kit which makes it more convenient to use, but I understand it keeps the packaging for these tests minimal.
Unfortunately, the tests didn't work for me. I've used 6 in total for the entire fertile window and including ovulation day. I did one test a day for a 6 day period, more than the suggested 5 and I started on Day 11 to make sure I catch it. The first 2 days the bands came close but still negative according to instructions and thereafter they were all super light. So either there was no ovulation (always a chance, but I'm regular like clockwork) or the test strips didn't work for me. I checked the expiry date and it's in 2 months so perhaps that had something to do with it.
Overall, I was impressed by the useful information in the pamphlet and thoroughness of instructions, but wish the control line of the testing strips was more of a solid colour with better stability in a typical bathroom environment and that the tests worked for me. Price is affordable.