Urinary LH detection – using a kit that comes with multiple detection strips, a woman can test daily around the middle of the month to try and detect the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge. This usually occurs the day prior to egg release and therefore might also be used to time intercourse or schedule IUI.

Basal body temperature charting – BBT charting requires the woman to measure her morning body temperature before getting up in the morning and recording the value to a 1/10th of a degree on a chart. In ovulatory women, the temperature usually rises after ovulation. This might be helpful in some cases, but cannot be reliably used to time intercourse.

Ultrasound – ultrasound can be used effectively to check for follicle development and determine endometrial thickness. The vaginal probe ultrasounds give the best images and don’t require the patient to have a full bladder. In ovulation induction cycles, the ultrasound is used to count the number and size of follicles to determine when to release the eggs and to make sure it is safe to do so.

Hormone testing – Progesterone is a hormone produced by the follicle after ovulation and is a sensitive measure of ovulation. It is usually measured around day 21 of a 28 day cycle, near the time of peak secretion from the corpus luteum. Low progesterone levels may require further treatment.

Endometrial biopsy – after ovulation the lining to the womb or endometrium, prepares for implantation of the fertilized egg or embryo. Once the embryo reaches a certain size it is ready to attach to the uterine lining. The endometrial biopsy is a method to evaluate the development of the endometrium or histology. At Fertility Center of the Carolinas we also recommend the evaluation of markers of uterine receptivity. Certain proteins are required for successful pregnancy to occur and might be missing in certain conditions, such as endometriosis, tubal disease or in polycyctic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The biopsy requires proper timing and should be performed 8 or 9 days after the LH surge has occurred.