Irregular cycles and opks

[pinkdonkey]

Hi, we've had a break of quite a few months from actively ttc due to illness. We are feeling ready to start again now, but my cycles have gone wacky since I started my current medication. I've gone from regular 29 day cylcles to 41, 50 and 57 the last few. I've discussed it with my GP who insists its stress (I don't feel stressed) even though it stated in the medication leaflet to contact your GP immediately if your menstural cycles are affected whilst on it.

Can OPKs be used with an irregular cycle? To be honest I'm concerned that the medication may have stopped me ovulating.

Hi @pinkdonkey
Irregular cycles are the pits! Mine have ranged from 31 to 52 days with no pattern which makes it difficult to determine when ovulation is happening.
I use the internet cheapie OPKs (around £3/4 for 30 on amazon or eBay) and start testing once a day when AF has finished. Obviously that's far too early, but I'd kick myself if I missed it 😂
The tests only detect the LH surge which should happen about a day before ovulation happens, but it doesn't confirm that ovulation is actually occurring. Doing your bbt every morning as well as OPKs can help do this. I found doing my temperature quite stressful so stopped doing it every day. I now take my temp after my positive ovulation test until I get confirmation that ovulation has happened, then I put the thermometer away!
Hope that helps
Good luck with everything! Hope your cycles settle down soon or you're able to track what's happening.

Thank you, I'm hoping to be able to stop this medication in a few months, but Im 34 and very impatient!