Do ovulation tests actually work??

[averymerrymonkeymooXmastoyou]

Decided to try for No. 2 but it took 2yrs to conceive the first time due to PCOS so i was wondering whether its worth trying ovulation tests?

dunno, just ordered loads so hope so. how old is lo?

I don't think so.

I ordered a load last month and tested every day for about 7 days and came up neg every time.

I know I was ov during this time as I get the pains and discharge etc.

I've also heard that by the time you get a pos reading it's too late - the eggs are already on their way out.

Obviously that's only my experience, I have heard that they just don't work for some people. I'm just going to go with knowing my own cycle.

Good luck

DD is 10mths, if I knew I was uber fertile I would wait a bit but because of the problems I've had we want to get on with it

My cycles are so erractic I have no idea when I conceived my DD and don't know when I ovulate so thought the tests would be a good plan. Maybe I'll try them for three months to see if they are consistant if not I'll stick with doing it regularly anyway

I have never used them before, it took us a year and half to conceive last time. But know I was ovulating as had a few monthly blood tests through CRM and everything came back fine. But so far since using them I keep coming up with a faint line, but the tests says it needs to be the same colour as the control line. Plus they are £20 for 5 sticks!! I will update you if this changes and the tests determine that I have a surge in hormones. The test says that once you get a surge in hormones, you will ovulate in the next 24-36 hours. So to have intercourse during this high fertile time.

Hi,

If you have PCOS it is not worth using opk's at all because these measure levels of lutenising hormone (LH). Many PCOS patients have an excess of this hormone to start with so the kit will just read that instead.

If your cycle is erratic (a common problem with PCOS as well) then it is likely you are not ovulating regularly if at all.

My suggestion (speaking as a fellow PCOSer) is to get yourself referred to a gynae as you may need assistance from such a person in order to conceive. PCOS is not a condition that should be messed around with by GPs - don't let a GP try and treat this.

www.verity-pcos.org.uk is a helpful website as well to read.

They worked for us. I bought some off of ebay for about a fiver , and fell pg that month. Funnily enough it said I was fertile, and I can normally tell when I am and I wouldnt have said I was at that time, iyswim. Anyway I did a test 2 weeks later and hey presto.

I cant remember what the company name was i bought them from , something with diagnostic in it, but i thought , for a fiver its worth a try. Good luck

AttilaTheMeerkat, I had a scan over a year ago when going through CRM, they said I was boarderline PCO, However due to the prolonged bleeding in my pregnancy my consultant is sending me for another scan this year (have it very soon)as he said he just wanted to check everything out. Would boarderline PCO hinder the ovulation stick results? Thanks X

Hi Rahrah,

Polycystic ovaries would hinder any opk result because it reads the level of LH. Many women with PCO or PCOS have higher than normal levels of LH therefore the kit would just read that instead.

Wish you all the best with your forthcoming scan. If possible get the sonographer to explain what is seen on the screen. Polycystic ovaries have what is described as a "ring of pearls" appearance - these are the cystic follicles. Some of these contain an egg, others are dormant and yet more release hormones. The cystic follicles do disappear only to be replaced by further cystic follicles. Polcystic ovaries can also appear larger than normal (walnut) size.

HTH

Thanks, will ask them to explain everything. Having the scan next Monday, hopefully they won't find much...don't think I could take any more bad news!

Thanks for your help and info.. xx