why isn't it working?!

[sayitwithsam]

Hi
I bought the clearblue ovulation kit and have had a circle for the past seven days. Then today I got an error symbol so I tried it three more times and got the same thing. I don't know what I've done wrong. I don't pee for four hours (which isn't easy) and I've been keeping tot he same times. I've noticed that the blue lines on the test stick have gone from one dark to two dark over the 8 days but have read online that they don't mean anything. I've only got two weeks until I'm due on two weeks and am worried I'll miss my fertile days.
Has anyone else experienced problems with this test? I'm going to call the helpline tomorrow but don't know how they'll be able to help over the phone.

[sayitwithsam]

sorry about my weird spelling and writing two weeks twice...I blame these flipping tests driving me crazy!

[IfAtFirstUDontSucceed]

Hi sayitwithsam when I first started using OPKs I used the digital clearblue sticks as well where you supposedly get a little smiley face (I'm guessing these are the ones you are talking about).
Used them two months in a row, well before AND after ovulation should have taken place and each time just got the blank circle.
I started to panic that perhaps I wasnt ovulating!
The following months I bought just the plain ol' clear blue OPKs with the blue lines - they gave a positive result every single month I used them, which was reassuring!
I stick to those from now on - and they are a lot cheaper.

[sayitwithsam]

Thanks. I will do the same thing. The last thing I need right now is to panic I'm not working!
I don't understand what kind of weird nuclear pee I must have though to make the whole machine keep coming up with 'error'.

[FanjolinaJolie]

Sayit

I have no experience of using the Clearblue but wanted to post anyway.

Try not to worry. Do you know when you would usually ovulate and have you passed that day already?

As well as using the monitor are you able to observe your cervical mucus? It will become like raw egg white when you are at your most fertile time. I used Fertility Awareness Method for years as well as temping and also OPK's but found the best method was actually tracking my own body's changes. The month I got pg I had used OPK's at the right time but never got a negative once. So they don't always work.

Also, your luteal phase can be less than 14 days so there is still time to ovulate before your next period is due (mine is generally 12 or 13 days)

[sayitwithsam]

I started using them because I don't have a regular cycle and wanted to know when I ovulate. It's been all over the place for several years now so it's impossible to tell. The cervical mucus only seems to change slightly too. I go from dry to wet but it's always clear. I know I must ovulate because I got pregnant before, but it took well over a year of trying.
My husband wants me to stop using these tests but I just want to make sure everything is ok in there and do everything I can to help the process along a bit faster. I should be six months pregnant with my first baby now not worrying about if I'll ever get pregnant again.

[Haliborange]

Iirc these are the ones where you put the stick in the holder and then pull off the lid to pee on the stick, yes?
Is the error message showing before you pee on the stick? If so, do not use it. Take the stick out and wait for the holder to clear first (could take some hours). Sorry, I might be stating the bleeding obvious here but I found that sometimes when I removed the lid it joggled the stick and an error message appeared!

If you're due on in 14 days, don't wait, have sex!

[sayitwithsam]

It's the clearblue one where you put the stick in the monitor then pee on it (or as I do put it in a clean container of pee) then it's supposed to flash, then show a circle or smiley face three minutes later. It showed the circle for the first seven days. I think it must be the second batch of sticks that are all faulty. They packaging says they're in date but it's a bit of a coincidence isn't it?

[sayitwithsam]

And don't worry about the second bit of advice, my poor husband is knackered but he knows he has to do the deed until I'm pregnant or his bits drop off!

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

If the menstrual cycle is irregular in nature these kits are certainly not worth using at all as they can give misleading and consistent false positive results.

If periods are irregular you are far better off having blood tests done to see what your hormone levels are like as such problems are often caused by hormonal imbalances (a condition called polycystic ovaries is a common culprit, another is thyroid imbalance). Consistently irregular periods can mean that ovulation is not happening (it is quite possible to have periods without ovulating).

These kits work on two misleading principles namely that there is only one rise in LH every month and that such a rise is followed by ovulation. Both of these are simply not true. They are truly a waste of time and effort if the menstrual cycle is irregular.

[Haliborange]

yep, I think if you are getting an error message each time then it sounds like faulty kit. CB should replace them.

[FanjolinaJolie]

If your cycles are consistantly irregular it would be worth a visit to your GP, hopefully one with an appreciation and understanding of TTC. As Atilla suggests perhaps having all of your fertility hormones checked to see where you are. It may be that you are not ovulating each cycle, unfortunately.

I know how frustrating it can be. DD1 took 13 months to conceive it felt like forever and each month that went by I thought I should be x months pregnant by now or I should be a mum by now.

Keep having regular sex and try to keep it fun/spontaneous and not just for TTC (difficult, I know)

Good luck and really hope you get your BFP very soon x