Irving, TX
A 30-year-old male asked:

My nurse said opk can detect hcg in the system after the trigger. does this also mean opk can detect pregnancy on the day period is due.

1 doctor answer5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Victor Beshay
Fertility Medicine 22 years experience
Cross reaction: An OPK is meant to detect the hormone lh which surges at the time of ovulation. A urine pregnancy test is meant to detect hcg, the hormone of pregnancy. However, both HCG and lh are very close relatives chemically and that's why the OPK can pick up a pregnancy and the urine pregnancy test can pick up an ovulation surge. You should still use each test for its specific purpose.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Last updated Feb 13, 2015

Disclaimer:

Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.