If you’ve purchased the FUTURE WOMAN Classic Hormone Test or the Advanced Hormone Test, then read on for how to pick the right day for testing.
The best time to test is the mid-luteal phase when progesterone is at its peak and estrogen is at its luteal peak. It’s really important to select the right day so you get the most accurate reading of your hormones.
Where to start
Before you take your test, we recommend you work out the following information.
- Is your cycle regular? If yes, how many days does your cycle last? Day 1 = the first day of full flow on your monthly bleed (spotting doesn’t count).
- Does your cycle vary by more than 3 days month to month? If yes, see the ‘my cycles are irregular’ section below.
- If you don’t know how long your cycle is, see the ‘my cycles are irregular’ section below too.
Quickly find what you need
My cycles are regular
For a 28-day cycle the time to test is on day 19, day 20 or day 21 (5–7 days after ovulation). If your cycle is longer or shorter than 28 days then simply add or take away the difference.Â
Here’s a handy table to help you find the best days for you to test. You can test on any day from the minimum day to the maximum day.Â
If your cycle length is not listed on this table, you can use the calculator below in the section ‘I have an irregular cycle’.
My cycles are irregular
Technically, if your cycles vary by more than 7 days in a year, then your cycle is considered irregular. Irregular cycles are common in women with PCOS or those going through perimenopause.Â
However, healthy premenopausal women can also have some variation in their cycle. So if your cycle consistently varies by 3 or more days, you may also wish to follow these tips to be on the safe side.
Option 1: Basal Body Temperature tracking
Ideally, you find out when ovulation took place and count 5 to 7 days forward from there to your test day.
If you’re already tracking your Basal Body Temperature (BBT), then we’d recommend this option to track ovulation. You can track BBT with a digital thermometer, or with a device like Oura Ring, TempDrop or Natural Cycles. If you see a sustained temperature increase of around 0.3 degrees centigrade, then you can assume that ovulation took place at the start of the temperature increase.Â
We don’t recommend this option if you don’t have experience with BBT tracking already. It can take months to get the hang of BBT tracking.
If you’ve been tracking your BBT and can’t identify an ovulation date, follow Option 3 and use our handy calculator instead.
Option 2: Ovulation sticks
You can also use ovulation predictor sticks (like these) which measure your LH levels. When you see peak LH levels, i.e. when the line reaches its darkest point, count forward 5 to 7 days to your best testing day.Â
Please note that this is not a good option for clients with PCOS, as LH levels are often out of balance.
If you’ve been using ovulation predictor sticks and can’t identify an ovulation date, follow Option 3 and use our handy calculator instead.
Option 3: Use our handy calculator
If you’ve got PCOS, or you’ve tried ovulation tracking but you’re not noticing signs of ovulation, then please complete our calculator below to find your best testing day.
If you get an answer with two decimal points, please round up to the nearest whole number (e.g. 25.66 would be Day 26).
I don't have a cycle
If you’re periods are missing, you’re on hormonal contraception without a break or you’ve been through menopause, then you can test any day.
I'm using the hormonal IUD
If you’re getting a regular period on the hormonal IUD, you can follow the steps above for ‘I have a regular cycle’.Â
If you’re not getting a period, we would recommend tracking ovulation using ovulation test sticks in order to find your best testing day. That’s because it’s still possible to ovulate on the hormonal IUD, even if you’re not getting a monthly bleed. See Option 2 in the irregular period section above.
I'm bleeding nearly all the time
If you’re experiencing frequent bleeding and can’t determine when your period is starting and ending, then don’t worry about finding the perfect day. Simply aim to test on a day when you’re not bleeding.Â
Still got questions?
Don’t struggle in silence! If you’re confused or not sure about your testing day, please email support@future-woman.com if you have any further questions.Â
