How reliable are ovulation sticks?

[Florin]

I have mild pco and I am on 100mg of clomid. Specialist asked me to use the clear blue ovulation sticks which I have been doing from day 11 to today which is day 17. Got scanned on day 15 and specialist was extremely happy with me said I had a lovely looking 18mm egg and I would definitely ovulate in the next day or so. However still no positive on the sticks. Is it possible they could be wrong or I have missed it somehow? I have been using them first thing in the morning. Been dtd everyday anyway so covered on that front!

[kat2504]

I used cheaper ov sticks so I could pee on two sticks a day. First morning urine is often not the best for ovulation testing, a lot of people find mid afternoon a better time. A positive result is reliable, it shows that the hormone surge has happened. It does not prove that the egg has escaped though. That is why some people do temping or combine the two methods.
I think you can be fairly confident that you have ovulated based on your ultrasound scan. It is definitely possible that you missed it with your stick. 

[greenzebra]

yeah your supposed to ov test inbetween the hours of 10am - 8pm early morning pee becasue its stored in your body for a long time means you can obsorb the hormone you are lookin gout for. Also you shouldnt drink to much before you pee.

[Florin]

I am using the clear blue ones so should be good at the price they were. Hope it's just I am pos at the wrong time of day.love the wisdom that is mumsnet!

[kat2504]

They are all the same quality, the price is just the fancy clearblue name and the packaging. Inside they all do the same thing!

[Florin]

I had to get them from boots as consultant suddenly announced I needed to do them and had no time to order online. Fingers crossed I don't need anymore but if i do will be off to eBay I think

[kat2504]

The internet cheapies are great but there are more line interpretation issues with them than with some of the other brands. You do get used to it after a while though and learn what is a positive for you.
Tescos sell ov sticks at £7 a packet, that is about a third of the clearblue price.

[LIG1979]

I find them fine and about 4 days after the 1st positive stick I get a temperature rise. As I have long irregular cycles, I do keep thinking earlier on in the month that it is going positive when it isn't but when it really happens I do tend to know. I also find that about a day before the 1st positive opk I get EWCM as well. Good luck.