What a Negative Ovulation Test Means and What to Do Next

What Is an Ovulation Test and How Does It Work?

Ovulation is the process where an ovary releases an egg, making it available for fertilization. 

This process is closely tied to hormonal changes, which ovulation tests are made to detect.

An ovulation test checks for a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. This hormone increases, or "surges," just before your ovary releases an egg. The test detects this surge to let you know that ovulation is likely to happen within the next 24 to 36 hours.

Once ovulation happens, the egg is released and stays available for fertilization for about 12 to 24 hours. This is the key window when conception is most likely, and ovulation tests help you time it perfectly.

It's important to remember, that sperm can live inside the female reproductive system for up to 5 days. That means intercourse even a few days before ovulation can result in pregnancy. 

Tracking ovulation with these tests can be especially helpful if you're trying to conceive, as it identifies the best time for fertilization to occur.

However, it’s important to note that ovulation tests are designed to predict ovulation, not to prevent pregnancy. 

If you’re not trying to conceive, use a reliable method of contraception instead.

What Does a Negative Ovulation Test Mean?

A negative ovulation test means that the test did not detect a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. This indicates that ovulation has not occurred yet, and without it, pregnancy cannot happen.

What Does a Negative Ovulation Test Look Like?

When using an ovulation test strip, you’ll always see a control line. This line shows the test is working. After taking the test, you might see a second line called the test line.

• Negative Result: If the second line doesn’t appear at all, the result is negative, meaning no LH surge was detected.
• Positive Result: A positive result happens when the test line is as dark or darker than the control line, showing an LH surge and that ovulation is near.
• Uncertain Result: If the test line is lighter than the control line or very faint, the result is unclear. This could indicate either a negative or a very early LH surge. In this case, it’s best to test again later in the day or the following day for a clearer result or consult a doctor.

On digital tests, a negative result might display as a blank circle, a flat line, or another neutral symbol, depending on the brand.

To better understand how to interpret the results, look at the image below. It shows examples of both negative and positive results for strip-style and digital ovulation tests. 

On the test strips, the test on the left demonstrates a negative result, where the test line is very faint or absent, while the test on the right shows a positive result, indicating an LH surge.

The Causes of a Negative Ovulation Test

A negative ovulation test can be frustrating, but it doesn’t always mean you’re not ovulating. 

Ovulation tests, while helpful, are not perfect and can sometimes give false negatives or even false positives.

Several factors can influence the results:

Take ovulation tests during your fertile window for the most accurate results. Testing too early or too late in your cycle might cause you to miss the LH surge.  

The UNC School of Medicine suggests starting ovulation tests based on your cycle length, as shown in the table below.

Remember, these dates are approximate, so testing regularly during your fertile window can help you catch the LH surge.

Keep track of your cycle length to figure out the right days to test.

Not everyone has the same hormonal patterns. Some people experience a very brief LH surge that can be easy to miss if you’re only testing once a day. 

Testing twice daily during your expected fertile days can increase your chances of catching the surge.

Drinking a lot of water before testing can dilute your urine, making it harder for the test to detect LH. To get accurate results, avoid drinking large amounts of fluids for at least two hours before testing.

Irregular cycles make it harder to predict ovulation. Without a regular cycle, it can take more time to figure out your fertile window.

However, “You should not be tracking your ovulation if your periods are irregular… If your period is irregular, number one, go and see a doctor”, says Natalie Crawford, MD, Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist.

Sometimes, hormonal imbalances caused by conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid issues can affect LH levels. 

“Remember that with PCOS you have an elevated basal lh level, so you’re more likely to get a false positive result ”, continues Dr. Crawford.

For example, a study confirms that elevated LH level is a frequent symptom of PCOS. These hormone levels might stay high or go up and down multiple times, which can falsely reflect the ovulation.

If you frequently have negative results despite regular testing, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying causes.

High stress levels can interfere with your hormonal balance and delay or suppress ovulation. 

This may result in negative ovulation tests, even if you're testing during your fertile window. 

Stress management, such as through relaxation techniques, regular exercise, or adequate sleep, can help regulate your cycle and improve the accuracy of ovulation tracking.

What to Do After a Negative Ovulation Test?

Getting a negative ovulation test result can be disheartening, but it’s important not to jump to conclusions. A single negative result doesn’t mean ovulation won’t happen. Here are some practical steps to take next:

Don’t Panic and Keep Testing

Negative ovulation tests are common and don’t always mean there’s a problem. Ovulation timing can vary, so stay calm and keep testing.

To increase your chances of catching the LH surge, test consistently during your fertile window, ideally twice a day—morning and afternoon.

Monitor Other Ovulation Signs

Sometimes, ovulation tests alone might not give you the full picture. Paying attention to your body’s natural signs can help:

1. Cervical Mucus Changes: Near ovulation, mucus becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy, like raw egg whites, helping sperm move easily.
2. Basal Body Temperature (BBT): After ovulation, your resting temperature rises slightly (about 0.5°F or 0.3°C). Tracking this can show ovulation patterns over time. However, “Charting monthly temperature changes can confirm ovulation but it cannot predict it”, as per ACOG.
3. Ovulation Pain (Mittelschmerz): Some feel mild cramps or discomfort on one side of the lower abdomen during ovulation.
4. Breast Tenderness: Hormonal changes around ovulation can cause your breasts to feel sore or tender.
5. Increased Sex Drive: Many people notice a higher libido as ovulation approaches due to hormone changes.
6. Cervical Changes: During ovulation, the cervix becomes softer, higher, and more open.
7. Spotting or Discharge: Hormonal surges may lead to light spotting or brown discharge.
8. Bloating: Hormonal shifts can cause bloating or water retention around ovulation.

These signs, combined with ovulation tests, can give you a fuller understanding of your cycle.

Use Fertility Tools

Consider using apps or online calculators to track your cycle and predict ovulation. These tools can analyze your cycle patterns over time and help you pinpoint the best days for testing and trying to conceive.

Consult a Doctor

If you’ve been testing for several cycles and still don’t see positive results, it’s time to talk to a doctor. They can help figure out what might be affecting your cycle and give you advice based on your situation.

If your periods are irregular, consult a doctor right away. Ovulation tests often don’t work well with irregular cycles, so a healthcare professional can help you find better ways to track your fertility. 

They may recommend an ultrasound to monitor follicle development (small sacs in the ovaries that release eggs) and better predict ovulation.