Is this a positive OPK ??

[Jenjenwoo]

Hi everyone,

Some advice please - so I've never had a positive opk. I've done them on and off for months but end up becoming fed up as I never get a positive so give up.

I have PCOS but usually have regular cycles if approx 42 days and I do have periods.

Today is CD63 and although I have now accepted I'm not pregnant ( even though I feel I have signs and symptoms) so for some reason last night about 10:30pm I decided to poas and check my ovulation as my fertility app was telling me I was fertile.
I also used a pregnancy test which was negative.

So this is the result I got- think I've uploaded photo correctly.

Does this look positive ? I'm not sure if the test line isn't dark enough ?
Also is it ok that I did it soo late at night, I've read somewhere that opk's are meant to be used mid morning to Late afternoon.

Any advice would very helpful.

Thank you xx

I would say it is positive or near it, you should BD now :)

Try doing another tomorrow between 11am - 8pm but I've done late evening ones and its been fine xx

Thanks Siarie. We BD Sunday night and as soon as the result came through last night and plan to again tonight and tomorrow so I'm hoping we will of covered my fertile window and then just sit tight for how ever long.
This ridiculously long cycle has completely thrown me out.

Xx

Long cycles are the worst, waiting for ovulation can be as hard as waiting to test imo. Luckily I don't have to wait too long but I do completely get how difficult it can be to keep OPK testing! x

Hi Jen - I too have PCOS and struggled conceiving. Unlike you though I didn't ovulate regularly (my cycles were often 50 days plus, think the longest was 76!). It could be that you are having an annovultary cycle this time around if you are currently on CD63 and you normally have regular cycles.

The problem with PCOS and OPKs is that us sufferers often have higher levels of LH in our system so OPKs are often always positive or nearly positive.

Having said that, you could just be ovulating later than normal, but from my experience cycles that long indicates non-ovulation. I know its frustrating, but i would keep dtd regardless because you just never know.

How long have you been TTC? Have you sought any medical intervention? I ended up on Clomid to help ovulation and conceived our DD the first month of using it. It might be worth considering (if you haven't already and i apologise if that is the case :))

FX'd for you - keep testing with those OPKs anyway and see if the lines get any lighter.

HTH :)

PCOS and OPKs generally are uneasy bedfellows because many PCOSers have an excess of LH hormone. These kits read LH and may well be giving you a false positive result. Also I think it states on these kits that they are not recommended for women who have PCOS. Although it probably gives you some means of control I would seriously consider now ditching both the OPKs and fertility app you're using as.

Are you currently under the care of a gynae, I ask this as well as it is quite possible to have periods without actually ovulating. With PCOS infrequent ovulation is even more likely.

Hi thanks guys

This is the first time I have had a positive result with the opk. I am assuming I didn't ovulate last month hence the very long cycle.

We have our first appointment with Leeds centre of reproductive medicine next week so I was just trying to track over the last few months to help give them as much info as possible.

I am hoping for clomid but I'm over weight at the moment so I'm not sure they'll do anything until I've lost weight which I am doing slowly but surely with exercise and low GI diet.

Thanks for all you help and advice it really does help xx

I would say positive too. Good luck xxx

Weight should not be a barrier to you receiving treatment. I would certainly keep going with the low GI eating plan, that will certainly help you going forward.

When and who diagnosed you with PCOS originally?. That is info that they need as well. The first appointment which you should both attend is usually a chat to ask you both about your medical histories.

I would suggest you write down a list of questions to ask them ahead of time, no question is daft and you do not want to leave there thinking, "oh I should have asked about ...". Your man should also attend as such appointments can be nerve wracking and he can also provide moral support. They will in any event need to see him.

If you are given clomid or any such treatment it does sound obvious but do ensure you know exactly why you are being given such and for how long, its a detail that many people miss or not actually think about.

LH levels can rise and fall all the time, this particular result means that you had yet another LH rise. Such rises though happen an awful lot with PCOS because there is too much LH in the bloodstream.

BTW if you are given clomid do ensure you are monitored whilst on this drug treatment as it can effect hormone levels markedly. No monitoring would be completely unacceptable.

Thanks for the support.

I was originally diagnosed about 14 years ago when I was young and invisible so didn't give it much thought - I was glad to not have to deal with periods.

Luckily I was referred to an endocrinologist and they reviewed me every 6 months and I took part in numerous clinic research trials and I routinely had a fasting gloucose test done. But ultimately each time they would ask if I was ready for children and I'd say no snd they would say that there's not much they can do until then ( I took metformin for many years but then decided to come off it and I took dianette to help reduce acne and excess hair growth I came off dianette 30 months ago)

I have to say since moving areas I have been disappointed with my local hospital so have insisted on a referral to Leeds as I have read prof Balen is known as an expert in the field of pcos.

Every time I go to write a list of questions to ask my mind goes blank !! :-(

My appointment at the fertility clinic is a week today so not long to wait until we can finally get the ball rolling.

Excited and nervous.

Xx

I have heard good things about Prof Balen in a wider context as well.

You may also want to look at Verity's website www.verity-pcos.org.uk for additional information as well.

One of the questions I would be asking them is whether you would get to see the same set of people at the clinic or person each time. Continuity of care is vitally important.

I wish you the best of luck with your appointment (Mr Jenjenwoo should also attend this if at all possible) and do let us know how you get on.

I'm written questions down now. Yeah my partner has booked the day off work, he's very supportive.

I was wondering if pcos can have an affect on the results of pregnancy tests ?

Also I have just started with strong period pains without the last couple of hours so maybe it was a false reading :-(

I'll keep this post updated xx