What the faint line on your ovulation test really means
Polly Logan-Banks
Content EditorDiscover what a faint line on your ovulation test REALLY means, plus other ways to find out if you're ovulating.
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Many women who are trying for a baby use ovulation tests to track their fertility throughout the month (also known as ovulation predictor kids or OPKs).
But what if you take an ovulation test, and the second line is much fainter than the control line?
We see this happen every month in the Netmums forums, so we've dug into the research to find out what a faint line on an ovulation test really means.
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There's a faint line on my test – am I ovulating?
It's possible, but it's not likely.
Ovulation tests check for a hormone called luteinising hormone (LH). Levels of this hormone rise shortly before you ovulate, however we all have a little bit of this hormone in our systems throughout the month.
If the line on your ovulation test is fainter than the control line, it's probably just picking up the normal, low levels of LH that are always present in your body, meaning that you're likely not ovulating right now.
What should I do next?
If it's fairly early in your menstrual cycle, it might be that you still haven't ovulated yet. Keep taking a new ovulation test every day, until the line is as dark as the control line.
If it's later in your cycle, it might be that you've already ovulated this cycle. On your next cycle, you might want to try testing earlier in the month, to ensure you don't miss your surge.
For tips on understanding your menstrual cycle, see our article: Can you get pregnant at any time of the month?
If you've taken multiple tests throughout your cycle, and the test line is always fainter than the control line, speak to your GP. It's possible you may have a hormonal imbalance or other condition that's affecting your ovulation. Many ovulation issues can be treated, so the sooner you seek medical advice, the better.
What does a faint line on an ovulation test look like?
If you want to compare your test with others, here are some photos from members of our Netmums forum.
Because the test lines are lighter than the control lines, these tests are all considered to be negative.
What does it look like when an ovulation test is positive?
Some super helpful members of our forum have posted pictures showing multiple tests, so you can easily see the difference between a negative ovulation test and a positive one.
In both cases, only the final (bottom) test is positive – the rest are all negative.
If you're still not sure whether your ovulation test is positive or negative, why not pop a picture in our friendly ovulation support forum? Other members will be happy to take a look and give you a second opinion!
How else can I tell if I'm ovulating?
Aside from using an ovulation test, there are a few tell-tale signs and symptoms that might give you a clue about when you're ovulating.
The main signs and symptoms of ovulation are:
- A rise in body temperature
- A change in cervical mucus (vaginal discharge)
- Other physical symptoms, such as tender breasts
Learn more about these signs and how to pinpoint your most fertile time of the month in our article on signs and symptoms of ovulation.
This article was medically reviewed by Netmums' midwife Sarah Joy Owen on 17/01/2022.
Alternatively, find out more about ovulation tests – including our picks of the best ones to buy – or get more TTC advice in our friendly forum.
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