Hormones

Fertility Hormones Explained and How to Track Efficiently with Oova

The Oova Team

Unlock the secrets of your fertility with our easy-to-follow guide to tracking hormones with the Oova kit. Learn what LH, E3G, and PdG really tell you about your cycle, discover the simple dip testing method, and find out how to get the most accurate results every time.

Published:

Apr 15, 2025

Est. Read Time:

4 minutes

Unlock the secrets of your fertility with our easy-to-follow guide to tracking hormones with the Oova kit. Whether you're trying to conceive or simply want to understand your body better, knowing what your hormones are doing is like having a personal roadmap to your reproductive health.

In this guide, you'll learn what LH, E3G, and PdG really tell you about your cycle, discover the simple dip testing method, and find out how to get the most accurate results every time. We've broken down the science into clear, practical steps anyone can follow.

Ready to take control of your reproductive health with confidence? Let's dive into the world of fertility hormones and how to track them effectively with Oova.

Fertility Hormones 101: E3G, PdG, and LH

Understanding your fertility hormones is like having a window into your reproductive system. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) acts as your ovulation trigger, surging 24-36 hours before an egg is released – making it essential for pinpointing your most fertile days. Estrogen (measured as E3G) rises gradually before ovulation, preparing your body by creating fertile cervical mucus and a hospitable uterine environment – it's your body's way of getting ready for potential conception. Progesterone (tracked as PdG) takes center stage after ovulation, rising to support possible implantation and maintaining the uterine lining – its presence confirms ovulation has actually occurred and helps assess the quality of your luteal phase. Together, these three hormones tell a complete story of your cycle, from the beginning of your fertile window through ovulation and the critical days following when implantation might occur.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Function: Triggers ovulation by stimulating the ovary to release an egg
Pattern: Surges 24-36 hours before ovulation
Why track: Identifies your fertile window and predicts ovulation
Ranges: Varies throughout cycle, with a distinct surge mid-cycle
- Follicular Phase: 2.4 - 12.6 mIU/L
- Ovulation or Mid Cycle: 14.0 - 95.6 mIU/L
- Luteal Phase: 1.0 - 11. 4 mIU/L
- Postmenopausal: 7.7 - 58.5 mIU/L

Estrogen (measured as E3G)

Function: Builds uterine lining and produces fertile cervical mucus
Pattern: Rises gradually before ovulation, peaks just before LH surge
Why track: Identifies the beginning of your fertile window
Ranges: Lowest during menstruation, rises mid-cycle, moderate during luteal phase
- Follicular Phase: 12.5 − 166.0 ng/mL
- Ovulation or Mid Cycle: 85.8 − 498.0 ng/mL
- Luteal Phase: 43.8 − 211.0 ng/mL
- Postmenopausal: <6.0 − 54.7 ng/mL

Progesterone (measured as PdG)

Function: Supports implantation and early pregnancy
Pattern: Rises after ovulation, remains elevated during luteal phase
Why track: Confirms ovulation has occurred and assesses luteal phase quality
Ranges: Low before ovulation, rises and remains elevated after ovulation
- Follicular Phase: 0.1 − 0.9 ug/mL
- Ovulation or Mid Cycle: 0.1 − 12.0 ug/mL
- Luteal Phase: 1.8 − 23.9 ug/mL
- Perimenopause: 0.48 - 19.0 ug/mL

How to Use the Oova Kit Effectively

Getting Started

Download the Oova app and create your account
Input your cycle information for personalized testing recommendations, including selecting a Scanning Plan, which is tailored to your data and health goal
Unpack your Oova kit and familiarize yourself with the components

Testing Protocol

Best Practices

Consistent timing: Test at the same time each day, at whatever time you’re most likely to not forget! Usually, mornings are best.
Test daily: For most accurate results, test every day according to your Scanning Plan.
Do not test or scan when you’re on your period! There’s no need.

The Dip Method

Collect fresh urine in a clean, dry cup
Remove the test strip from its foil pouch
Dip the strip into urine up to but not beyond the marked line
Hold in place for 10-15 seconds (follow package instructions exactly)
Lay the strip flat on a clean, dry surface
Wait the specified development time (10 minutes)
Scan the strip with your Oova app within the recommended timeframe

Reading Your Results

The Oova app will analyze your hormone levels
You'll receive quantitative values for each hormone
The app will interpret results in the context of your cycle

Hormone Patterns Throughout Your Cycle

Follicular Phase (Days 1-13ish)

LH: Low with gradual increase
E3G: Begins to rise, peaks before ovulation
PdG: Remains low

Ovulation (Around Day 14 in a 28-day cycle)

LH: Sharp surge 24-36 hours before ovulation
E3G: Peaks just before LH surge
PdG: Still low

Luteal Phase (Days 15-28ish)

LH: Returns to baseline
E3G: Moderate levels
PdG: Rises after ovulation, remains elevated

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Unclear results: Retest with more concentrated urine
Missing your surge: Test daily and at consistent times
Unusual patterns: Track for multiple cycles to establish your normal

When to Seek Help

If no LH surge is detected after multiple cycles
If PdG doesn't rise after apparent LH surge
If hormone patterns are consistently irregular

Understanding Your Oova Data

The Oova system provides personalized insights based on your unique hormone patterns. Remember that "normal" varies between individuals, and tracking over multiple cycles helps establish your baseline.

By consistently tracking these three key hormones, you'll gain valuable insights into your fertility and overall reproductive health.

About the author

The Oova Team consists of doctors, researchers, and content experts. We collaborate to bring you medically-backed resources to help support your hormone journey. Learn more about our team.

Sources

About the Oova Blog:
‍Our content is developed with a commitment to high editorial standards and reliability. We prioritize referencing reputable sources and sharing where our insights come from. The Oova Blog is intended for informational purposes only and is never a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before making any health decisions.

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