Can I take an ovulation test if I'm on birth control?

Can I take an ovulation test if I'm on birth control?

It depends. Generally speaking, testing for ovulation while on birth control is not recommended since results can be confusing or inconclusive. That’s why most people use ovulation tests as they are transitioning off (or on) birth control, to learn more about their fertility, menstrual cycle and reproductive health.

Many hormonal contraceptives work by suppressing ovulation (no egg = nothing for sperm to fertilize). If your birth control is suppressing ovulation, ovulation testing isn’t recommended since you aren’t likely to be able to detect the hormonal surge that occurs before ovulation. Some of the most common forms of birth control that suppress ovulation include: combination oral contraceptives (i.e. “the pill”), the shots and the patch. IUDs may or may not effect ovulation,  depending on the type of IUD and the individual (some people with hormonal IUDs have been shown to ovulate, while others don’t). On the other hand, the copper IUD does not affect ovulation and therefore people with copper IUDs could use ovulation tests.

If you are interested in detecting ovulation and worried about what medications or conditions might affect the results, talk to your health care provider.