Clearable ovulation test- digital dual hormone

[TurquoiseDress]

Hello everyone
Just looking for some advice about this ovulation test. Got one today, never used it before apart from cheap internet OPKs.

Am on CD14 today, with cheap OPKs I've normally got a positive around day 15 or 16- my periods range from 28-30 day cycles.

In my excitement, I did a test this afternoon after going about 5 hours without having a wee- the test was negative.

Then, after actually reading the instructions, I should have started testing on CD8 (or CD10 assuming a 30 day cycle).

If LH & Oestrogen are picked up, surely the test will pick it up? or does it does a comparison each day...?

With the cheap OPKs, I started using them less & less, only around CD14-17 and got a positive within those days.

any ideas please? thank you!

[OfficerMeowMeowFuzzyface]

Yes, you are supposed to start doing it earlier in the cycle, or otherwise it won't work properly. I think you can get a static smiley on the first go, but you can't get a flashing one. If you're not going to test early enough for it to show you both 'high' and 'peak' fertility then you're completely throwing away your money buying the dual hormone tests: the whole advantage of them is that they show you a longer fertile window than just the day before ovulation.

I'd test tomorrow (using FMU, as the instructions tell you to) and hopefully it'll show you a static smiley, which is what you'd expect from your cycle. As I said, though, you'll have gained no advantage over a cheap OPK, and you'll have spent a lot more money!

[TurquoiseDress]

Oops well I'll get testing first thing tomorrow!

I guess we will just keep on going having sex every other day, and if my period shows up (hopefully not!) will start testing on the correct day next cycle.

Another question- is it possible to distinguish between LH & oestrogen levels? am thinking not as there only seem to be 3 possible results- negative. high fertility, peak fertility

[OfficerMeowMeowFuzzyface]

My understanding is that 'high fertility' actually means 'raised oestrogen', and 'peak' means 'LH surge'. That's why it can't give you 'high fertility' without a baseline reading from early in your cycle: it can't tell what 'high' oestrogen is for you.

[TurquoiseDress]

Ok that makes sense re the oestrogen as levels rise, to get a high level reading

And peak is the LH surging

Thank you much clearer

Yes these are v expensive kits

May have to just stick with having lots of sex!

[TurquoiseDress]

Did a test first thing this morning- got a flashing smiley.

Just going to continue for a few more days and see, then just wait till next cycle (hopefully won't be another cycle, that's what I am always hoping for!)

[OfficerMeowMeowFuzzyface]

Good luck - hopefully you'll get your static tomorrow! They do say you can test multiple times a day (and so not using FMU) once you have a flashing face - I've never bothered, but I know some people would recommend testing this afternoon as well, just in case.

[TurquoiseDress]

Hmmm am on day 4 of flashing smiley- am on CD18.

Only test first thing in the morning- these sticks are expensive and I'm too tight to test multiple times a day!

Also, I've realised that it won't actually change our behaviour i.e. we have sex every other day during the fertile phase.

I'll keep going until I (hopefully) get a solid smiley, then just stop.

Was curious to see if the CB monitors would add anything to this TTC malarky, but actually am not sure- although have done a few months of cheap OPKs & BBT so I have a fair idea when I ovulate.

6 months of TTC does strange things to you.

I don't think I'll be shelling out 28 quid for 20 sticks again!

Have to say though, I see the appeal of straightforward results compared with the cheap OPKs, which seem to be down to individual interpretation.
With CB its either negative, flashing smiley or solid smiley.

Oh dear, Im finding TTC extremely tedious!

[GreedyDuck]

I conceived the first time I used the CB dual hormone tests (miscarried later, but still).

Probably more reliable if you start testing on the right day so that it's got a baseline to work from. I only have to use around 5/6 sticks a month, so one packs lasts 3-4 months.