OPK testing with PCOS, is it worth it?

[pippilongsmurfing]

Is it worth using the ovulation test sticks if you have PCOS?

I'm on Metformin, and have been for a while, and this month is my first cycle of Clomid.

I haven't bought any Ovu test kits yet as one consultant at the hospital told me that they wouldn't work for me, due to the PCOS, but another consultant said they might work for me?

Oh wise ladies of Mumsnet, come forth with thine wisdom, and help a confused SWI'er, shall I give them a go or not?

I am charting, and temp taking, but would like the added peace of mind of the OPK kits, so if I can use them I certainly would like to.

What do you all think?

Many thanks ladies, who knew making a baby was so complicated for some of us?

Do you have any kind of cycle on the metformin usually?

I have PCOS and OPKs work fine for me. I sometimes have longish cycles (around 35 days) but I have a cycle without fail every month. Using OPKs I detect one LH surge just when I would expect it (just before I get ov pains and then a temp rise). I know they don't work for all PCOSers, as some have really long cycles with more than one LH surge so you end up using loads of them and confusing yourself.

And my consultant tells me to use them so he can time his monitoring scans.

I think it depends if you have consistently high LH which many people with PCOS have, you will get lots of false positives.
I have PCOS but only get one LH surge and I ovulate regularly.
I believe clomid can also give you false positives though.

Good luck!

My consultant told me "no"

Hi euro, yes, on the Metformin it has regulated my cycle to a very consistent 41 days, would that be too long a cycle?

If possible I'd like to try them, but don't want to confuse myself further with false results, iyswim?

farfalla, how would I know if I have consistently high LH?

farfalla oreuro does Clomid give false positives on OPK tests? I wasn't aware it did, and the consultant (s) I have seen didn't mention it?

When you had a day 3 blood test was your LH higher than your FSH?

On the clear blue sticks they say clomid can affect the result, its worth a try and just see if you are getting more positives than you ought to (one or two a month)

I'm on Letrozole (similar to Clomid) and nothing was mentioned about false positives to me and I haven't had them. I've only had one very clear positive each cycle.

You can only find out by giving them a go.

No to the usage of such kits, because the kits measure levels of LH. AS many PCOSers have an excess of this hormone to start with the kit will read that level instead.

Also they are a complete no-no to use when clomid is being used as well for the same reason. Clomid encourages more LH to be produced so you should be carefully monitored whilst on it. No monitoring is bad practice on the part of the hospital.

Spend your money on something else more useful instead.

When I had my 3 day blood test, it was not mentioned to me that my LH was higher than my FSH.

I'm confused now, as some of you are saying that you've used them with PCOS, and some are saying not to?

My consultant has given me 3 months worth (3 x 5 days =15 tablets @ 50mg) of Clomid, and then an appointment after I've finished them, if I don't have a BFP.

If I don't get a BFP they said they will raise the dose to 100mg/day and do ultrasounds and blood tests to check I am ovulating.

Well trying them isn't going to cause a nuclear meltdown or anything. The worst that can happen is that you waste a few pounds. What I would say is don't rely on them for timing dtd (i.e. don't wait until you get a positive) in case they don't work for you.

I agree with Attila that no monitoring is bad practice, but it seems quite common on the NHS.

I was told on here not to use them & almost 5 years later my consultant has told me to use them!

I too am on metformin (which has got rid of the cysts0 and also on clomid (it is making me ovulate.

This month has been the first month I've used OPKs & have found out that I'm ovulating around day 18 - which I wouldn't have known. I have had Day 21 blood tests & they all say I'm ovulating too. No scans under my NHS trust. having used OPK this month I feel that I'm more in control (finally) and that we've prob not been DTD for long enough in my cycle, which is why we so far haven't got pg.

Another thing I did this month was carry on using OPKs after I got the positive & it did go back to neg to show that I did have a rise in LH & that they did work!

Try it & see is my advice (but buy ebay cheapies as to not waste money!).

euro LOL, I am so disaster prone, I'm not sure about that!

Right, I'm going to give them a try and see what happens, the worst that can happen, as you say, is a couple of quid wasted.

I think in my NHS trust area they will not follicle track or blood test until after your first lot (3 months worth) of Clomid.

Meant to add, I have asked about blood testing and ultrasounds to see if I've even been ovulating, bit have been told it will happen if I don't get a BFP on this first cycle, plus they will increase the dose of Clomid.

Mine only offer blood tests 2 months, after that I had to get the GP to do it! No follicle tracking for me!

Usually the only up the dose if you don't ovulate...maybe go to GP & ask them to do day 2 & day 21 boods.

Already asked GP and they said not on first go around on Clomid even just done by GP, not hospital, so it seems to be a policy in my area that only after the first 3 months of Clomid and no BFP will they further test.

I've just been given a CBFM from the fertility unit... on my first round of clomid. from the sounds of it I feel quite lucky that they're going all out to make sure I'm fully monitored.

they say I've got PCOS, but I asked at my day 12 scan to check again and my ovaries are definitely not polycystic...how does that happen? Is it more of a hormonal thing?