Ovulation tracking help

[Horseandheyy]

Sorry if this is really obvious to some but I'm confused. Ttc this month. Using ovulation tracking tests and on CD 10 and 11 the tests were getting darker but still not positive, then from CD 12 they have been very faint. Does this mean I haven't ovulated this month? Or anyone found the dipstick type ovulation tests not reliable? Cycles can usual last anywhere from 26 - 30 days.

[Blossom428]

Hey... they can be very confusing.
It could have been you had your surge later in the day of CD11. Do you test twice a day?
I use the strip tests and sometimes the line goes dark but not as dark as the control, however I track bbt so this has shown that I have ovulated.

I you may not ovulate every month that's why I use bbt as a second tracker x

[Horseandheyy]

Thank you for your reply. I tested once around dinner time from CD 9 to CD 15 How do you track bbt?

[Juno231]

When your sticks get darker your meant to test 2-3 times a day as the surge can be as short as 4h. Use an app like femometer to track/interpret them with as that will be far easier (and we could have seen a pic of them now like the attached).

For bbt you'd need to buy a basal thermometer (eg femometer £10) and use the app fertility friend.

Carry on testing for a few days though just to make sure you don't get any more surges as CD11 is relatively early for ovulation.

[Juno231]

Odds are you ovulated on CD12 and missed your peak on CD11 but like the other poster said - only bbt tracking would confirm that!

[Blossom428]

Thanks for elaborating @Juno231

@Horseandheyy BBT is taken using the 2 decimal point thermometer. You take it straight away in the morning before you get out of bed at the same time each morning.
I use it to confirm ovulation, because as soon as you have ovulated the following day your temp will rise and stay risen untill your period. If your period comes it will drop, however if you are pregnant it will stay high 😊

[Horseandheyy]

@Juno231 and @Blossom428 thank you both. I didn't realise i was supposed to test a few times when the line started getting darker. Will have a look at the thermometers :).

Off to have a look at that app too.

[Blossom428]

Best of luck... any other questions do reach out 😊