Why are there two lines on the ovulation test paper?

Why does it happen that there are always two lines on the ovulation test paper? When using ovulation test paper for ovulation test, it usually shows two lines, and the color of the test line is obviously lower than the standard line. This situation is clinically called weak positive, which means that ovulation has not yet arrived. If the color of the test line is very dark, it means that ovulation is about to occur.

Ovulation test strips predict ovulation by detecting the peak level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in urine. Within 24 to 48 hours before ovulation, the luteinizing hormone (LH) in a woman's urine will reach a peak, and the result of self-testing with ovulation test strips will be positive.

The specific testing method is usually explained on the ovulation test paper packaging (you must strictly follow the instructions to minimize errors). Unlike early pregnancy test strips, morning urine cannot be used, and urine samples should be collected at the same time every day as much as possible. Water intake should be reduced 2 hours before collecting urine, because diluted urine samples will also hinder the detection of LH peak.

If your menstrual cycle is relatively regular, then you should measure for six consecutive days, starting from 14 days before your period (which is the expected ovulation time), three days before and three days after your period. If your menstrual period is not very regular, then you should generally start measuring on the third day after your period ends. When the two lines on the test paper are the same depth or the second line is darker than the first, it means that ovulation will occur within 24 to 48 hours. For other test results, please refer to the diagram in the instruction manual.

Of course, this is standard physiological phenomenon when ovulation occurs. Although the test strips are easy to use, their accuracy rate is only about 75% due to reasons such as the production process and the person testing themselves.

Regarding the question of what happens when the ovulation test paper shows two lines all the time, in addition to the weak positive situation described in this article, if the ovulation test paper shows two lines all the time after ovulation, you need to consider other possibilities, especially when the color of the test line becomes darker and darker, the possibility of pregnancy is very high. If this is the case, it is recommended to go to the hospital for a blood test to see if you are pregnant.