Using The Market Leading Ovulation Test Kit (without strips)
November 12, 2025
- All it takes is just a drop of saliva
Trying to conceive can feel like a full-time job, and if you’re on that journey, you know how important timing your ovulation is. Ovulation tests can be literal game-changers as by telling you when you’re most fertile, this knowledge can dramatically increase your chances for successfully becoming pregnant (or not, if you want to avoid pregnancy altogether).
But the landscape of ovulation tests is vast-ranging from disposable urine strips to high-tech wearables, and the relatively lesser-known saliva-based reusable tests.
So, what’s the best reusable ovulation test, why might you consider a saliva-based kit, and how does the KNOWHEN® Saliva Ovulation Test feature in all this? Let’s dive in.
Ovulation tests detect the key signals your body gives when you’re about to ovulate-the critical window when conception is most likely. Traditional ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) usually measure luteinizing hormone (LH) levels through urine. While highly accurate, these kits can become expensive and environmentally wasteful because they rely on single-use strips.
And can you imagine how you can get your urine on to the strip? Yes, one of the features that turn off a lot of women is how messy this whole process is. Is this avoidable? Well yes, and please read on.
Reusable ovulation tests, like saliva-based kits, offer a fascinating alternative. Instead of urine, they use saliva to detect changes associated with your fertile window. This is not only more eco-friendly but over time, can help your pocket and finances quite a lot.
Saliva-based ovulation kits detect the electrolyte (sodium and potassium) levels in saliva which rise during ovulation because of an increase in oestrogen. These increased electrolytes create distinctive patterns when they dry out and these patterns (microscopic fern leaves) can be seen under a microscopic lens in the kit. This method has several advantages:
Reusability: The main attraction-the testing apparatus is reusable cycle after cycle and does not use disposable testing strips that have to be thrown away after a single use.
Convenience: No need to collect urine; just one drop of saliva on the test slide is sufficient, making it less messy.
Non-invasive: Saliva testing doesn’t require bodily fluids other than saliva, making it discreet and easy.
Insight into Fertility Cycle: Saliva patterns change over your cycle, giving visual confirmation to better understand your body’s rhythms.
Among saliva-based ovulation tests, the KNOWHEN® brand has earned growing attention and has established itself in the market as a distinct brand with aa clear presence.
Here’s why the KNOWHEN® Advanced Saliva Ovulation Test stands out:
User-Friendly Lens and Visuals: The test comes with an easy-to-use mini-microscope that allows you to observe saliva fern leaf patterns clearly which indicate ovulation.
Reusable Design: Both the slide and microscope are durable, making the initial investment worthwhile over many cycles.
Quick Results: It doesn’t rely on chemical indicators or waiting times typical with urine strips, so you get immediate visual feedback.
Eco-Friendly: By reducing the use of disposable materials, it appeals to those prioritizing sustainability and wellness.
Cost-Effective: Over time, the return on investment is significant compared to constantly buying urine strips month after month.
Hygienic: This test kit only requires one drop of saliva, which you put onto the device using your fingertip.
While urine-based tests like Clearblue or Mira are highly accurate in detecting LH surges, they come with recurring costs for test strips, can be quite messy and produce waste. Wearable devices like Ava offer continuous data but at a high price point and require charging and app management.
The KNOWHEN® Advanced Saliva Ovulation Test occupies a sweet spot: reusable, affordable over the long haul, and less invasive, and its accuracy depends on correctly observing saliva patterns, which may require practice. Their app helps you to track and manage your fertility cycle.
Research and user experiences suggest saliva-based ovulation tests show good correlation with traditional methods for many women. However, external factors like smoking, eating, or drinking before the test can affect saliva patterns. Also, hormonal imbalances may make interpretation trickier.
Clinical Research Studies based on scientific research having been carried out show the KNOWHEN® Test is 98.9% accurate.
If you prefer an eco-conscious and cost-effective method and don’t mind a bit of hands-on observation, KNOWHEN® offers a compelling saliva-based reusable ovulation test. It is especially suited for those comfortable with understanding their body’s natural signs and who want to avoid continuous purchases of disposable kits.
For those seeking automated digital readings or who have medical conditions affecting hormone levels, combining KNOWHEN® with consulting a fertility specialist offers the most comprehensive approach.
Ovulation tracking is personal. Whether you use saliva, urine, or wearables, the best test is the one you trust, repeat consistently, and find supportive on your path to conception.
Test at the Same Time Daily: Hormone levels and saliva consistency can fluctuate throughout the day. Testing at the same time, preferably in the morning before eating or drinking, ensures consistent comparisons.
Avoid Contaminants: Rinse your mouth with water 10-15 minutes before testing and avoid eating, drinking, smoking, or brushing your teeth just before the test, as these can alter saliva composition and distort the crystalline patterns.
Look for Fern-Like Patterns: The hallmark of ovulation readiness is the appearance of fern-like crystals under the microscope. Early cycle saliva appears mostly clear and smooth, but as oestrogen rises near ovulation, these distinctive patterns emerge.
Use a Light Background: To better see the crystal structures, use a light background while viewing under the mini-microscope to increase contrast and clarity of the patterns.
Track Over Several Cycles: Ovulation patterns can vary. Keep a diary or record your test results in the KNOWHEN® App in relation to menstrual and other fertility signs (like basal body temperature). This trend analysis improves prediction accuracy.
Q1: How soon before ovulation do saliva patterns change?
A1: Saliva patterns often begin to change 1-2 days before ovulation as oestrogen levels rise, forming the fern-like crystalline structure that signals peak fertility.
Q2: Can factors like illness or medications affect results?
A2: Yes, illness, hormonal medications, dehydration, and smoking can all impact saliva composition and crystal formation, potentially leading to inaccurate readings.
Q3: How does a saliva test compare to urine LH tests in accuracy?
A3: Urine LH tests measure hormonal surges directly and are very accurate. Saliva tests rely on visual patterns associated with an increase in oestrogen and require correct interpretation. You have to see the fern leaf patterns in the dried saliva.
Q4: What if I don’t see any fern-like patterns in my cycle?
A4: If no patterns appear, it could indicate irregular cycles, low oestrogen levels, or improper testing conditions. If that happens, it is best to repeated the test paying attention to not brushing teeth, eating, drinking, or smoking to avoid contamination.
Consult a healthcare provider if concerns persist to rule out hormonal imbalances.
Using these tips and understanding the Q&As can make your experience with saliva-based ovulation kits like KNOWHEN® more effective and confident for conception planning.
The KNOWHEN® Ovulation Test tracks your ovulation using only a drop of your saliva. It identifies your five (5) most fertile days and the best days in your ovulation cycle if you’re trying to conceive.