Can't get the hang of this OPK malarky

[BandhaAid]

So, I'm an intelligent woman with three degrees but ovulation tests stump me 😂 I have used one very day at around 6pm since cd8 and I'm now cd13. They have all been negative. I'm aware that I probably haven't ovulated yet (although all the signs point towards it being imminent) but I have just read the box again and realised I should not wee for four hours before testing and should try not to drink much either. Now, there's no way I can hold my wee in for that long, so I don't know whether it's with me continuing or not.

I could have missed my surge or could have just been using them wrong? I will use up the rest in the pack and hope I get a positive soon but I'm starting to get really annoyed with the stupid things.

Anyone else struggle with them or am I just a special case?

Worth me continuing*

I never held urine, there is no way I would be able to! I used to do it after work so I knew I had not gone for at least an hour. They still worked.

I expect you haven't ovulated yet, how long is your cycle?

What ones are you using? I have clear blue which is much easier did have cheap ones but with them surge can come and go in a few hours x

28 days

You probably haven't ovulated yet. I bet you do in the next few days.

I used the clear blue ones alongside the cheap ones for a while and concluded they were a waste of money as they did the same thing, albeit with a fancier output.

Here's hoping I get my smiley face soon then

Are you using clear blue?

Yes, but the one without the flashing smiley

Shouldn’t you do the clearblue ones first thing in the morning? I know that’s when I do mine. The cheapie OPK little sticks should ideally be done around 10-8pm I always did mine at around 2pm and I always held my pee.... which is why I switched to clearblue as FMU is much easier for me.

Ah right bit different to mine then as I have to use fmu. You should ovulate soon I have a 30 day cycle and ovulate early x

I used boots own ovulation tests - 7 pack, followed ovia and tested every other day for 9 days- all negative. Then thought ah well might aswell use the last one up, as I had some weird symptoms, came out as a positive surge. Surprised me but was lucky to catch it!

Keep in mind, I have no idea how long my cycle is so was just randomly testing 1-2 weeks after my last bleed. Now I'm still not sure whether my period is due 2 weeks after ovulation or 4 weeks from when I bleed as ovulation seemed too late for the normal 28 day cycle.

@MouseLove it says I can use any urine as long as it's done at a similar time each day and I haven't urinated for at least four hours before testing. I will try FMU tomorrow.

I think I ovulate on day 16 but my chart last month was a bit confusing. I've attached it here- as you can see, the rise could have been on about four different days!

I don't understand charts so haven't even tried ! Nor can I be bothered to do temperatures x

Ha! Fair enough.

I gave up temping but yeah I'd have said day 14 last month!

Basically I have no idea. If I ovulate on day 14 every month, then I should expect a positive opk today or tomorrow morning, I guess.

This stuff is so frustrating sometimes!!

It's horrendous! I'd just shag and forget opk and temping if I could, less stress!

As it's my fertile week this week, we're doing the deed every day for seven days. It would just be nice to have something to confirm ovulation.