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As eager as you may be to start testing with Oova, we want to be sure that we capture the data necessary to understand your body. More data is not always better.
Here is a list of topics covered on this page:
How does the Oova app know when I should scan a test?
Your first cycle of using Oova is very dependent on the information you enter upon registration. Our algorithm takes all of the information entered and determines which 15 days of your cycle you will need to use an Oova test. The goal here is to capture several days before your LH surge, your LH surge, and several days past your LH surge so we can capture your progesterone rise, assuming you had a successful ovulation.
For every subsequent cycle, we learn from the information captured in each previous cycle to determine when you need to use your Oova test. This means we may shift your 15-day scan window earlier or later based on our learnings.
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Can I override my testing days?
If you would like to start testing sooner or later than the app is indicating, you can shift the scanning window accordingly.
Go to Settings > My Cycle > My Scanning Window Offset and you can shift the days of scanning to be either earlier or later than it is currently set at. You can see the date that you will be able to begin scanning under the toggles. Once you Save your changes, the Scan Now button will appear on your home screen on the new start date.
If you are currently in an active cycle and would still like to continue testing, you will need to have the Oova team make some changes to your account. Please view details under What if I need to scan for more than 15 days?
How do I scan a test strip?
As soon as you receive your Oova Test Kit you will be able to start tracking your hormones. Here's how to scan your first test strip.
Before you get started make sure you have already downloaded the app and created your account. Make sure you have a stable internet connection.
Congratulations, you are ready to take your first scan!
Using the information you input during onboarding, the Oova algorithm will identify and alert you the best day for taking a scan.
1. Prepare the kit: Open a new disposable Oova cartridge and remove it from the packaging. Avoid touching the tip or getting the test wet. Push the cartridge into the blue Oova handle until it clicks.
2. Open the app: Open the Oova app and click on the home button. If it is a testing day, you will see a message saying “Scan Today”. Click the blue SCAN NOW button.
If it is the first time you are taking a test, tap the blue button that says SHOW ME THE TUTORIAL. You will be walked through the next steps.
(If you don’t need the instructions click, I KNOW WHAT TO DO, but only after you have peed on the test cartridge. Clicking the second option will take you directly to the 10 minute timer.)
3. Pee: You can provide a urine sample either by peeing directly on the cartridge or collecting a urine sample in a cup and dipping the test pad into the cup.
Whichever way you choose, try to avoid getting any urine on the plastic part of the test cartridge and holder. You only need to saturate the pad at the end of the test cartridge. If you choose to pee directly on the cartridge, turn the cartridge away from you in order to avoid splashing the test window.
Place the cartridge and handle on the holder. Avoid touching the sample pad.
4. Start the 10-minute timer and wait: In the app, start the 10-minute timer. Make sure the test and holder is on a flat, stable surface and don’t touch it for the duration of the 10 minutes. During this time, you should begin to see either one, two, or three lines appear on the test strip (here is some information on what the lines mean).
5. Scan the test: Once the timer is complete, you will scan the cartridge using your phone’s camera. You will see yellow outlines on the screen. Hold your phone over the cartridge and try to make the yellow outlines line up with the test cartridge. If you are having trouble try these steps:
Focus on the QR code first. Ensure that the QR Code fills the square in the boundary box that appears.
Once the QR code is set, tilt your phone to fit the region with the lines in the oval space.
If you are still having trouble, visit the Scanning Tips page.
Once you have successfully scanned your test, give the app a moment to analyze your results. For more information about interpreting your results, visit our Results knowledge base.
When should I test?
We recommend that you use your first morning urine, however, you should test at approximately the same time every day for the 15 days you will be using Oova in a particular cycle. For example, do not test in the morning one day, afternoon the next day, and evening the following day. The hormones being measured fluctuate throughout the day and we want to try to eliminate variables that could lead to inaccurate conclusions.
If you wake up multiple times in the evening, we recommend that you don’t worry about Oova during your late night bathroom visits. Instead, wait until you wake up for the day and use that sample.
What if I need to scan for more than 15 days?
If you have an irregular cycle or unpredictable ovulation patterns, you may want to test for more than 15 days to monitor a larger portion of your menstrual cycle. Many clinicians using Oova with their patients request their patients to track their cycle for longer so they can get a good picture of the hormone patterns.
If you are not working with an Oova provider (i.e. you did not enter a valid clinic ID in your settings indicating that you are working with a clinician), you must contact our support team at support@oova.life to modify your permissions. This will allow you to scan outside of your scanning window and for a longer period of time.
If you are working with an Oova provider, your permissions have already been modified to allow you to this.
If you are in your scan window, you should continue to follow the steps indicated by the app to scan a cartridge each day. If you would like to scan an Oova cartridge outside of the 15 day scan window, go to Settings > My Details > Scan Now. By clicking on Scan Now, you will be able to scan an Oova cartridge outside of the scan window just as you previously did.
Note: The home screen will remain unchanged.
Can I rescan an Oova cartridge?
You should refrain from scanning the same cartridge multiple times. By repeatedly scanning the same test cartridge, we are testing the limits of two things: a) the chemistry and b) the probability of an incorrect response. The chemistry is constantly running, even after the timer goes off so you will continue to see variability. We consider the 10 minute mark the ideal time to test and which is the moment we have based all of our accuracy measures on. By consistently rescanning, you are adding probability the test will return a bad result.
If you feel the scan is inaccurate, then please take a picture of your cartridge and email our Support team at support@oova.life to analyze.
Tips for getting a good scan
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