September 23, 2009
What Every Woman Should Know About Dollar Store Ovulation Kits!
So here we go again! First a dollar pregnancy test and now an ovulation test for the same great price ($1.00)
Three cheers for SCI International, the manufacturer of these super products.
After the tremendous positive response to my earlier post regarding the $1.00 pregnancy test, I received a phone call from SCI’s Vice President, Mr. Abedi. He was delighted that the blog was well received and I in turn was delighted with his product. He explained that the company’s only makes a few cents above its production cost but that they deal in volume. It was so refreshing to hear about a company that wasn’t going to bankrupt its customers in order to make a profit. Abedi continued to describe the company’s array of products including an ovulation kit for $1.00. You can only imagine how far my jaw dropped. As a former infertility patient, I am well-versed with ovulation kits and could not believe they were being sold for . . . a dollar? Abedi quickly added that the ovulation kits were only available at the Dollar Tree store. So, off I went to my local Dollar Tree store to see for myself.
Upon my arrival and to my utter delight, both pregnancy and ovulation tests were readily available. The pregnancy tests were behind the counter while the ovulation kits were displayed up front. The cashier must have read my mind and offered the following explanation: The pregnancy tests are a popular item among teens who attempt to steal them. And the ovulation kits are displayed in front of the cash register because “teens are not trying to get pregnant.” It made perfect sense. And just like their pregnancy test counterpart, the ovulation tests are 99% accurate.
Quality and at affordable prices. Who would want to pay more?
Health News Roundup: Low Vitamin D Increases Death; $1 Ovulation Kits; Med Students Overshare Info said,
September 23, 2009 at 2:12 pm
[...] The truth about dollar-store ovulation kits: It may sound a little sketchy to buy pregnancy and ovulation kits for just $1.00 each, but Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway assures us that these tests are 99% accurate. They can be bought only at Dollar Tree stores. [Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway] [...]
jeni said,
October 16, 2010 at 4:05 am
the dollar tree brands work great!! i had bought an “expensive” test and tested possitive with a light line used my first mornings urine etc.. then later that day went to dollar tree then to walmart and took dollar tree test in the bathroom and positive result with a way darker line then the expensive test!! my only complaint is they never seem to have the ovulation kits all the time i have to go to diffrent cities at diffrent times to find them.. but other then that they are awesome!!1
Twitter Trackbacks for What Every Woman Should Know About Dollar Store Ovulation Kits! « Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway [drlindagalloway.wordpress.com] on Topsy.com said,
September 24, 2009 at 12:13 pm
[...] What Every Woman Should Know About Dollar Store Ovulation Kits! « Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway drlindagalloway.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/what-every-woman-should-know-about-dollar-store-ovulation-kits – view page – cached Posted in Family, Ob-Gyn, Pregnancy, children, doctors, infertility, ovulation tagged babies, dollar store, infertility, ovulation, ovulation kits, Pregnancy, pregnancy test at 10:22 am by drlindagalloway — From the page [...]
Roxanne Wright said,
October 10, 2009 at 6:00 am
My question to the good Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway is how good are they? and I am new at this ovulation testing, so how accurate is it?
drlindagalloway said,
October 11, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Thanks for your comment Roxanne. According to the medical studies done by a physician’s group in Pennsylvania (see previous blog post on the dollar pregnancy test) revealed that it is 99% accurate and is just as effective as name brands.
Don’t be fooled by it being sold in a dollar store. The manufacture is attempting to contain medical costs which is admirable. Most generic medications are just as effective as name brands. There are physician offices that buy them from the Dollar Tree store because they’re cheaper than if they bought them from a retail or wholesale supplier.
Using an ovulation kit is pretty straight forward if you follow the directions listed on the kit. However, if in doubt, wonsult with your healthcare practitioner. Again, thanks for your comment.
susan said,
November 11, 2009 at 2:00 pm
DR. Galloway-
I used the ovulation kit from the Dollar Tree, got a mark on the test part but was lighter than the control which I know is negative. I felt ovulation this morning, I have the pains on one side for about 12 hours on the day of ovulation every month. Did I get a negative result because ovulation had already occured? I was on antibiotics so I know my bc pill is useless. My husband and I have not had sex this month because of the fear of getting pregnant. With your expertise do you feel it is safe to go ahead now?
drlindagalloway said,
November 11, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Hi Susan, thanks for your comments. Based on your description, I’d probably maintain abstinence for another 48 hours, if it’s still negative, then it’s probably okay to proceed. However, you should contact your personal physician to verify this. Thanks again for your comments.
Erin said,
August 22, 2010 at 2:42 pm
Hello Dr. Galloway-
I am about 3 days late and my husband and I have just begun trying to conceive- my pregnancy test came back negative, but I have noticed physical signs of ovulation, so on a whim I used one of the Dollar Tree ovulation predictors and it came out positive!? Is this at all common to ovulate right around the time my period is due? My husband and I will try again, why not? I look forward to your response. Thank you so much for doing this!
drlindagalloway said,
August 22, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Hi Erin,
If your ovulation kit is positive then by all means “try again.” Good luck, and let me know how things turn out.(lol)
K said,
August 23, 2010 at 3:49 am
Hello! Tomorrow I will take a trip and buy an ovulation kit from Dollar tree,, I have been trying to concieve for 9 months now and so I decided its time to give them a shot. How many do I need to buy?
drlindagalloway said,
August 23, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Congratulations on taking one of the most important steps of your life. If you’ve been trying to conceive for 9 months, I would buy 3 kits and try for three more months. If, after that time, you are still not pregnant, you might want to see an infertility specialist because the definition of infertility is acting trying to conceive for more than a year with negative results. Good luck with your endeavor.
K said,
August 25, 2010 at 1:39 am
Thank you Doctor.. So I bought three as suggested and It did show two lines but the second line was very very faint. Does this mean I will ovulate in a 36-48 hours or is this defined as negative? I have been getting a pain on my left side. I also never know when I ovulate since im irregular. Thanks so much for your advice!
drlindagalloway said,
August 25, 2010 at 11:16 pm
Hi, K.
I’m going to send an email to you tomorrow where we can be more private about discussing your health history.
K said,
August 25, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Ok No problem thank you!
melissa said,
May 25, 2012 at 12:13 pm
My ovulAtion line is light today aswell but im def.. Having ovulation pain on right side. Yesturday came out neg
drlindagalloway said,
May 28, 2012 at 10:09 am
If it’s negative then you’re not ovulating. If you’re trying to conceive, keep trying.
drlindagalloway said,
May 28, 2012 at 10:10 am
Yes, you were probably ovulating. If you’re trying to conceive, try to repeat what you did for next month.
Maggie said,
September 1, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Hello. There were two ovulation tests available at the dollar tree I went to. A larger one and a smaller one that looks almost exactly like the pregnancy test. I tested today and got a very very faint line in the test area. Does this mean negative? I am breastfeeding and trying to track ovulation. Thanks
drlindagalloway said,
September 1, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Hi Maggie,
One faint line means there’s no ovulation. Two lines means there’s an LH surge or ovulation. Hope this helps and thanks for your comments.
Maggie said,
September 2, 2010 at 9:14 am
Thanks! I was a little hopeful because the two times I tested earlier this month I only got one line…with breastfeeding I am trying to track ovulation. Thanks again.
Tay Jackson said,
September 23, 2010 at 9:35 am
I am so glad I found this website. We have been trying for two months and nothing so far. I plan to go to Dollar Tree this week for a kit. I will you posted, and thanks doctor for your aadvice.
drlindagalloway said,
September 23, 2010 at 11:27 pm
You’re welcome, Tay! Good luck!
Linda said,
September 25, 2010 at 9:14 pm
According to instructions I should start testing with my shortest cycle in the last 6 mos. Shortest was 22 days and longest 29 days. Should I test daily from day 5 to day 12?
Carly@ Positive Ovulation Tests said,
October 18, 2010 at 5:02 am
Thank you for sharing! I was looking around and really like the site so far- bookmarked =)
LaToya said,
November 18, 2010 at 10:58 am
Thank so much for your article. I used the Dollar Tree pg test on all 4 of my pregnancies. The sensativity level is higher than some of the name brands.
I had an ultrasound yesterday afternoon, and my follicles sized had increased, My doctor suggested to start testing today and tomorrow in the am with a CB digital test,but I think they are overpriced. I had some ovulation test from the Dollar Tree, so I used one this morning. Before today there was only one line, the control line. But, this morning there was a faint second line in the test box. Does that mean its positive? Or should I test again later today? If so, what time should I test? I took the original test this morning at 7am?
Thank you for your advice.
drlindagalloway said,
November 19, 2010 at 2:03 am
Hi Latoya. I would test again, probably in 24-hours. Good luck and thanks for your comment.
Patricia said,
November 21, 2010 at 3:07 pm
I just went out and bout about 5 ovulation kits from my local Dollar Tree, the New Choice Ovulation Predictor. It is about 1:30pm and I just tested one, the test line not faint, not in the slightest, but it is a tad bit lighter than the control.
I have known some opk’s directions that if the control line is lighter than the test line its a negative, but the directions on this box say, “LH Surge: Two Pink Lines will appear. You should ovulate within the next 24 to 36 hours. (Intensity of lines may vary) NO LH Surge: One Pink Line will appear at the C.”
So since the box says that the lines may vary, and there are two lines, that means im going to ovulate in the next 24-36 hours?
drlindagalloway said,
November 22, 2010 at 1:13 am
Hi Patricia, 2 lines usually indicates ovulation so that would be my assumption. Thanks for your post and all the best.
Daphnee said,
November 21, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Hi Dr.
My husband and I are trying to get pregnant but I dont ovulate on my own and I recently started taking sow isoflavones to help me ovulate cause I get alot of cyst with clomid and I wanted to try something more natural and today I bought the dollar tree ovulation test and I have a second line it came up in less than 2 minute and its dark just like the other one, but I have been testing in the clearblue monitor for the past 4 days and I did not get a surge at all. so should we assume that ovulation started today and begin bedding today and the next couple of days?
drlindagalloway said,
November 22, 2010 at 1:09 am
I don’t think it would hurt, Daphnee, since you got a blue line but would recommend that you see a healthcare provider since your goal is to conceive and it appears that you might be having some challenges. Thanks for posting on my blog and the best of luck to you.
Sally said,
January 24, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Hello,
I have noticed a lot of differing information on these Dollar Store tests. I have seen some people claim that they have faint positives for several days or that they have very faint test lines. This makes me concerned that what I have been seeing from these strips may be false information. I tested on the 10th day of my cycle and got a negative. I did not wait the full ten minutes to check and instead waited just five but saw no lines. Then I tested again on my 12th day and received a faint second line. The 13th day it was a darker line and showed up much quicker in under 2 minutes but still not nearly as dark as the control line. On the 14th day I saw a very faint line similar to the 12th day of my cycle and took around 4-5 minutes to appear. This was all with my morning urine. I had not noticed even a glimmer of a line before this. Now I am doubting whether i just didn’t wait long enough with early tests and that that 2nd line will always be there. The test does say that all you need is two lines and that they may vary. Could that have been the LH spike I was looking for? I have heard to use afternoon urine and maybe that is why the lines didn’t get as dark as they should have. Please let me know if you think that was indeed the ovulation hormone spike I was looking for. Thank you!
drlindagalloway said,
January 27, 2011 at 11:59 am
Hi Sally,
I’m going to locate the 800 number for the ovluation kit manufacturer and send it to you so that you’ll be able to have all of your technical questions answered. Just give me a few days to locate the number.
heather said,
February 2, 2011 at 12:31 am
Hi Dr. I have irregular periods and I just took a ovulation test and one line showed up very very faint and the other really dark what does this mean will I still be able to get pregnant? I have been trying for about 3 years now and nothing what should I do? And I can’t afford to go see a doctor
drlindagalloway said,
February 9, 2011 at 5:48 pm
Hi Heather,
The first thing that has to be done is to find out why your periods of irregular. Every state has community health clinics that are federally funded. Try to find one in your community and you will be able to see a doctor or healthcare professional based on what you can pay. Once you discover why your periods are not regular, you’ll be better able to have your infertility problem corrected.
Amy said,
February 25, 2011 at 11:52 am
Thank you so much for this site it is quite helpful. I have a question I have been testing for my LH surge this month with the new choice ovulation test. It indicated if there are two lines then you have the Lh surge. I tested twice today and there are two lines however 1 is very very faint as compared to nothing yesterday. I’m wondering if this is a posotive.
Even though it is very very faint do you think that is the indicator of the surge. I also took a differant test which comes up negative it may not be as sensitive as New Choice.
Thanks, Amy
BLU10GT said,
March 1, 2011 at 2:36 pm
First of all, I used the dollar store brand HPT with both of my pregnancies and I was pregnant. These were 8 and 13 years ago!! I love them! I would not buy a pricier one. Second, we are trying again for #3(hopefully for a girl this time). Are the ovulation kits as reliable as the HPT’s? What time of day do you suggest testing?
Yomi said,
May 18, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Hello, I just wanted to thank you for this website. I saw the dollar store ovulation test the other day and I’ve been charting my expected ovulation days on a calender. I had PCOS with insulin resistance but I have been on a natural diet and with exercise I have not only lost 30lbs but I have regained my periods every month! I (knock on wood) have had constant 35 day cycles every month for the last 6 or 7 months now (my DH threw out my old charting calender so I don’t remember exactly when my first normal period came after having been without one for 5 months). Now that we have a certainty of when I am suppose to ovulate I suppose it’s only logical to use an ovulation test to make sure it is happening so we can finally conceive after 7 years of trying. Knowing it won’t cost me a fortune helps a lot because with the cost of living going up and wages staying steady it means I can afford to learn more about my own body
drlindagalloway said,
May 19, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Thank you so much for your response, Yomi. I wish you success in your effort to conceive. I really appreciate your kind words.
Kmom08 said,
August 22, 2011 at 10:28 am
I’ve begun using these, after 2 years of no luck getting pregnant with baby number 2.We have a daughter who turns 3 next month, so the ob I went to said I can clearly get pregnant and wasnt much help. My cycle is 32 days on average, but a couple of months ago I did have one that was 34 days, the back of the dollar store test it tells you to go by the average so going by the 32 day cycle I should begin testing on day 15. However out of a wim this month I tested today which is day 12 and I got a positive with two lines equal in color. I always thought I ovulated later, Could this be why we have not been getting pregnant?
drlindagalloway said,
August 22, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Yes, the recommendation is to test between day #10 and #14 of your menstrual cycle. If you have 2 solid lines today, then it indeed might be your lucky day. You might have some great news in a few weeks from now. Best of luck!!
Kira said,
September 26, 2011 at 2:53 pm
They work! My husband and I have been TTC since March of this year. This past month I decided to buy ovulation kits from the Dollartree. We made sure to have Mommy/Daddy time at least once a day once I saw two pink lines and guess what, we’re 6 weeks pregnant! FINALLY.
Also, I found out I was pregnant from a Dollartree pregnancy test. If you’re anything like me and have zero patience, it’s nice to only have to spend $1 on tests so you can test everyday for two weeks if you want. LOL. And you’ll only be spending the amount you’d spend on two namebrand expensive tests
drlindagalloway said,
September 26, 2011 at 10:58 pm
I am sooo happy for you, Kira!! Congrats to you and your hubby. I hope you’ll check out The Smart Mother’s Guide to help you with your pregnancy. Thanks for sharing that fantastic news!
caro said,
November 10, 2011 at 9:22 pm
hello Dr ..Im glad to find this website!! i had a miscarriage 1 year ago and just now we want to try again. i will buy the dollar tree ovulation test. But i want to know: after my period , how long time i have to wait to try the test? my cycle are 28, 29 or 30 lol they are different sometime, the last was 28.Thanks you for your help! ♥
drlindagalloway said,
November 14, 2011 at 6:36 pm
I’m sorry to hear about your miscarriage and glad you’re trying again. I believe the instructions are on the kit but try to start on the 10th day after your period. Ovulation usually occurs anywhere from the 10th to the 14th day after the last period. Good luck to you! Oh, could you “Like” me on Facebook? It would really help. Thanks. https://www.facebook.com/SmartMothersGuide?ref=ts
tawnie said,
February 9, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Hi Doctor,
So i took one of these “Ovulation predictor” tests from a dollar tree.
and i got one bold line on the control, and a faint line on the test part.
Does that mean i’m pregnant or not?
I used to have irregular periods, but not anymore. But i missed my period this month. I actually had light bleeding, not like a flow or anything, a little bit for two days. But that is not normal for me, I usually have normal flow periods that go from 6-8 days. I’ve been on regular schedule with it since i started birth control.
But i have been having symptoms so it’s worrying me.
If you could let me know soon, that would be so great.
Thank you (:
drlindagalloway said,
February 14, 2012 at 12:01 am
Hi Tawnie,
I cannot give you “official” medical advice, only an opinion. The “Ovulation Predictor” will only predict ovulation, not pregnancy. Based on your concerns, it might be helpful to take a pregnancy test.
Andrea V. said,
March 2, 2012 at 12:20 am
Hello Dr. I have the same question as K. I am very irregular. Recently around every 2 months I will cramp and then spot for a few days so im hoping that counts for a period? I took the ovulation test and one line was dark and the second was real light hardly noticeable. Please tell me what you think. Thanks Dr.
andrea said,
March 2, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Hello Dr. I have had irregular periods all my life I had not had a period naturally for 3 yrs and around 2 months ago I began to feel sick then cramp then bleeding it only lasted a couple days and very light, just a lil more then spotting. Now this month the same thing happened again, are these spotting days concidered a period and if so that would mean ovulation right? I used the ovulation test and had a very dark line and a very light line almost unnoticeable does that mean ovulation? Thanks doctor
Andrea said,
March 3, 2012 at 2:59 pm
Hello Doctor, I have had irregular periods all my life the longest I have went without a natural period is 3 years. About 2 months ago I began to feel sick then cramp then I began to have very light bleeding,that lasted a couple days then this month the same thing happened again. Can this light bleeding be my periods coming back? If so that means Im ovulating right? I took the dollar ovulation test and I had a very dark line and a very light line almost unnoticeable. What does this mean? Please help Doc, Thanks
drlindagalloway said,
March 5, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for your question. First, you need to establish WHY your periods are irregular. Have you seen a health professional about this?
Andrea V. said,
March 5, 2012 at 7:51 pm
My doc says all my blood work is fine. I am overweight, he says if I would loose 20 lbs then my period should come down. So does that mean the spotting I’ve had is not a period? will the ovulation test still work with me?
drlindagalloway said,
March 5, 2012 at 11:40 pm
The ovulation test will give the presence or absence of ovulation. If you’re trying to conceive, you might want to speak with your doc about referring you to a weight loss program. Or, there’s a medicine called Clomid that will help women ovulate. This is strictly information and NOT medical advice. Okay?
Good luck in your endeavors and thanks for your questions. Could you “Like” me on Facebook (Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway)? That will help me bring issues like this to a larger forum.
Andrea V. said,
March 6, 2012 at 12:56 am
Thanks Doctor, and yes I will “like” you on facebook
Christian said,
March 27, 2012 at 1:34 am
Hi my girlfriend took a ovulation predictor test and is wondering what One line on it means?
Amanda said,
May 3, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Hi i took a new choice ovulation test and the control line was quite visable and the test line was faint but i can still see it…does this mean i am ovulating?
drlindagalloway said,
May 7, 2012 at 12:06 am
It could very well be but can’t say definitively. I suggest you get together with your partner and next month, you might find out for sure. Good luck and thanks for reading my blog.
kim said,
May 25, 2012 at 5:52 pm
I have PCOS and am on clomid days 5-9. and metformin …Today is day 16 of my cycle that was started with provera. I use the clear blue easy fertility monitor. It has shown high fertility for 3 days. So I bought the dollar tree brand ov test today and got a line but not as dark as the control line. I am so confused on weather or not I am ovulating or not.