In this Article
The Luteinizing Hormone or LH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland of menstruating females. The LH plays a vital role in making the woman fertile and plays a huge part in the conception of a child. LH surge is a phenomenon which occurs around mid-cycle in a menstruating female, around 12-48 hours before ovulation – releasing of the unfertilized egg from the ovary – occurs.
LH is extremely important, especially for those couples who are trying to get pregnant. The phenomenon of LH surge is used as a benchmark to find out when the female is ovulating so that couples can time their efforts to conceive more accurately. The conception of the child occurs from intercourse within the time frame of three days prior to or one day after the ovulation occurs.
What is Luteinizing Hormone?
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland in females, Luteinizing Hormone plays a huge role in the process of fertilization. Checking the levels of Luteinizing Hormone in pregnancy can be ideal for couples trying to conceive. LH works to mature the follicles for ovulation, and the triggers the process by surging in levels.
Luteinizing hormone normal range during pregnancy is less than 1.5 IU/L.
Importance of LH Surge
Timing the efforts to conceive a baby, based on the LH surge, has been found to be a better alternative to trying blindly, in most couples. The LH surge itself occurs so as to trigger the release of the egg or facilitate the process of ovulation in fertile females. By measuring the levels of LH in the female, couples can time their efforts better in order to have a higher chance of conceiving a child.
When Does LH Surge Occur?
The surge of LH in females is an indication that ovulation is going to occur. The surge of the hormone levels in the female body occurs around 12 to 48 hours prior to ovulation, which is the release of the unfertilized egg from the ovary. On an average, LH surges have been found to occur around 36 hours before the egg gets released into the uterus.
Does It Occur in All Women?
The surge of LH levels does not occur in all women, but this is often an indication of an underlying condition that causes lower-than-normal levels of the hormone in the female body. Common conditions that contribute to and cause the low levels of LH in females include: the Kallmann Syndrome, eating disorders, and hypothalamic suppression. However, higher than normal LH levels in females can also cause problems with fertility and LH surge, and this might be caused due to conditions like premature menopause, Swyer syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome.
How is the LH Surge Detected?
Luteinizing Hormone tests are available in the market and can be used to measure the levels of LH in the body of a female. These require you to urinate on a stick, and the indicator of a positive result is when you have a certain level of LH in your urine. A positive test means that you are in the midst of your LH surge, so you can try to conceive in a more planned manner.
How Frequently Should You Test for LH Surge?
Ovulation usually occurs around two weeks before your periods, so you can start testing for the LH surge around two or three days before you start ovulating, which equates to around 16 days before your period occurs. The LH surge is supposed to occur at that time, and you will see a marked spike in your LH levels.
How Long Does Surge in Luteinizing Hormone Last?
The surge itself may last around 12-24 hours, right before ovulation occurs. There may be an increase of at least up to 5 times of the normal levels of LH in the female body.
Things to Remember
- To increase your chances of conception, start on the day you get a positive result, and continue for the next three days.
- LH is usually produced in the morning, so test your levels during the afternoon or the evening.
- You should remember to hold your urine for around 4 hours before testing for the surge.
- Test twice a day, since the surge is short and sudden in some women.
What are the Causes of No LH Surge?
Ovulation does not take place if no LH surge occurs, and this might occur due to several causes.
1. No Follicular Development
Sometimes, the LH surge is caused by rising levels of estradiol, which in turn are due to developing follicles. If there is a lack of follicular development, it can result in low levels of estradiol, which in turn prevents the occurrence of an LH surge.
2. Poor Follicular Growth
The growth of the follicle may sometimes stop abruptly, but the follicle may still continue to produce oestrogen for the body. However, this might not be enough for an LH surge to occur, so the egg remains unreleased.
3. LH Suppression with Medication
Assistive reproduction technology, like In Vitro Fertilization techniques use many medications which can prematurely release follicles before the egg retrieval. This results in the LH surge not occurring for the female.
FAQs
1. Can I Ovulate Even If I Get Negative LH Test Result?
The LH surge is often short and sudden in women, so it may be possible that you missed the surge entirely. This means that you will still ovulate, regardless of the test results at times. To ensure the reliability of the test, you can ensure that you test only in the afternoons or evenings.
2. Is It Possible to Get a Positive Test Result and Not Ovulate?
This is rare, but it is still possible to not ovulate after a positive result. You can use ultrasonography or fertility chart methods to predict ovulation if you are doubtful as to whether ovulation is occurring.
3. How Accurate is the Kit Used for Detecting the LH Surge?
Although the tests are highly accurate, the kits are still not foolproof – ovulation can still occur with or without the egg being released. Therefore, they must never be used as a planning method for contraception.
LH surge plays a huge role in triggering the release of the unfertilized egg, and therefore, can help families increase their chances of conceiving a child. Kits are available to detect LH surge in the female body, but make sure to follow the instructions and understand the drawbacks of using them.
