Why LH Test Strips Can Be Helpful — But Not the Whole Picture in HA Recovery
By Cynthia Donovan, MS RDN CDN
When you're trying to get your period back, especially after dealing with Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA), it's natural to want proof that your body is making progress.
You’ve likely heard about ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) or LH (Luteinizing Hormone) test strips, maybe you’ve even used them already. These little test strips can feel like a tiny window into your body’s hormonal world.
But here's the truth: they're just one piece of the puzzle — and not always the most reliable one when it comes to HA recovery.
What LH Strips Do Tell You
LH strips detect a surge in luteinizing hormone — the hormone responsible for triggering ovulation. If you're ovulating regularly, your LH will typically rise 24-36 hours before an egg is released.
In someone with a regular cycle, this rise in LH is a helpful indicator that ovulation is near. For many women trying to conceive, they’re a handy way to time intercourse.
So yes — a positive LH surge can be a good sign that your body is starting to wake up hormonally.
But...
Here's Where It Gets Tricky with HA
With HA, your body may not be consistently producing enough LH to register on a strip — even as it begins making progress. You may have days where your LH is low, days where it spikes a little, or even false surges that don’t result in actual ovulation.
The strips are only picking up a snapshot in time. They can’t tell you:
If the surge is strong enough to cause ovulation
If your body is just “trying” but not quite there yet
If you never had a positive LH reading and have one now, that means your body is finally producing detectable LH surges.
So while it might be tempting to obsess over faint lines and test multiple times a day, remember: your period isn’t hiding in that strip.
What to Focus on Instead
If you’re in recovery from HA, I encourage you to look at the full picture — not just the test strip.
✨ Are you consistently fueling your body with enough energy-dense food?
✨ Are you resting, sleeping deeply, and managing stress (not just physically but emotionally)?
✨ Have you shifted your movement patterns to support hormone restoration?
✨ Are you seeing subtle signs of hormonal changes — like cervical mucus, mood shifts, or breast tenderness?
These are signs we track closely inside the Recipe for a Period® framework. Because when you’re healing HA, your body doesn’t follow the textbook.
The Bottom Line
LH test strips can be a tool. But they aren’t a diagnosis. They aren’t a finish line. And they definitely aren’t a reason to panic if they’re not lighting up like you hoped.
If you’re not seeing a positive LH strip- it doesn’t mean you’re failing.
If you are seeing a surge, it doesn’t mean everything is fixed or that you ovulated.
The goal is not just ovulation. The goal is a healthy, sustainable cycle.
And that requires a deeper, more personalized approach — one that sees you and your body in context.
Want help navigating it?
This is exactly what we do inside our coaching — whether you’re trying to get your first period back or navigating the next steps with movement, mindset, and fertility.
