TTC

[JessRa]

I am 29 and TTC with my partner. I was in the pill for 12 years and came off in January. I have regular periods being 28 days in a cycle. I have been taking ovulation tests but never seen to get a peak result even when testing daily. I am worried now I’m not ovulating (I know I’m over reacting but the mind is a funny thing!) I have been using tracking apps but when they say I’m ovulating my test never comes back high or peak. I am a little lost and any support would be much appreciated.

Jess

Sorry to hear you're struggling. January was only a few months away, it may be that your body is just remembering what to do with itself and will regulate soon. Also, the hormones might not be strong enough to get picked up by the tests. Are you doing the clear blue ovulation tests? I have that one and it says speak to a doctor if you don't get the peak (static smiley) after 3 cycles x

In addition to what Natt99 is saying, have you been using whatever urine stated by the instructions? (ie FMU vs absolutely not FMU) and making sure you don't drink too much beforehand and holding the urine for long enough? Just in case your wee has been too diluted for peaks xx

@Natt99@Juno231
Thanks for your messages back. I have just been using cheapies at the moment as I’ve read that you should do it regularly to start with and then within your fertile window the next cycle. I have been taking the test between 12-4 trying to get the same time everyday if I can.
I am waiting to see whether this cycle was successful and my period is due on the 16th, so it’s a waiting game for now. I’m now also contemplating whether now is a good time to TTC or whether to wait until this has passed over?
Xx

Hey, just thought I’d jump in an chat cos we seem quite similar, I came off the pill in Jan, had 28 day cycles since. Done OPKs first time this month (CB advanced) and I got high readings but no peak. So then I convinced myself there’s something wrong (massive overreaction probably 😂) just waiting time see how this month pans out, AF due 16th April, but I’m not hopeful at all x

Ahh this is my first cycle trying with any ovulation (using the CB) so I'm a bit of a novice at the sticks. There seems to be lots of threads on here about them though. As someone has said they're experiencing the same l bet you are totally normal. Your age is an advantage too if you do run into any trouble. Best of luck to you for this cycle, you never know x

@Macaz20 I’m glad someone is in the same boat. I am exactly the same thinking there is something wrong. We will have to keep each other updates as we are on a similar time scale. I like to be in control of things so this is very hard not being. X

@JessRa I know right it’s hard not being in control and having to wait and see all the time but I’m sure we will get it. I’m 29 too so got some time to get it right. Although I think I’ve decided if AF arrives on time I’m not using the OPKs next month. Genuinely the stress of not seeing/missing that peak was not worth it I don’t think x

If you have 28 cycles then you need to be testing at lest twice a day around CD12 or whenever your tests start to get darker. I test 3 times a day at this point otherwise I would miss my peak. My lh surge goes from high to peak and back down again in less than 12 hours so if you are only testing once a day you are probably missing it!

I test 7am, 1pm and 6pm when my tests start to darken.

@Beau20 that’s good to know, I was using clearblue advanced and the instructions say just test once a day with FMU. I was testing at about 7am everyday. Do you think I’ve missed my peak rather than there’s something wrong? X

If it's any consolation, when I came off my pill I never had a positive opk (cheap stick or clear blue) at all for 6 months and was really stressing myself out but I still got pregnant so for me they certainly weren't the be all and end all xx

Hi,
I was in a similar boat, I came off the pill after 18 years solid, had very regular periods but didn't start ovulating until 9 months later. It was frustrating but did fall pregnant the first month I ovulated. Hopefully won't take as long for you x

Thanks girls, feel much better now ☺️ X

@Macaz20 if you were me, it would be the case that you'd missed your peak. However you may also not be ovulating at all still. I stopped using the clear blue digitals as my surge was so quick it was missing it and more accurate to use the Internet cheap ones. And test at least twice when your test starts to get dark.

@Beau20 thanks for your advice it is much appreciated ☺️ I’ll get some IC ones for future use and I’ll try that ☺️ X

Hi all, I'm in the same situation - came off contraception in February and been tracking my cycle since and this is the first cycle we are properly TTC. I get lines on my ovulation tests but never as dark as the control line and then today no line at all and my temp dipped yesterday and my app now thinks I might be ovulation today so maybe I missed my peak and today is my ovulation. The whole thing is confusing haha so I'm glad we are all in a similar boat :).

@NJ2910 Hi, which ovulation tests are you using? I don’t know whether to get some different strips or just go with the flow. I suppose AF isn’t due till 16th so I’ve got time to make a decision I guess ☺️ X

Hi @Macaz20 I've just been using the cheap sticks - got a pack of 30 from ebay. Dependent on what happens this month I might get the clear blue one digital ones. AF due for me on 20th so like you say - time to decide:)

@Macaz20 @NJ2910 I have just got some cheap ones from online. I might use them again next month (if needed) and next twice a day at least it’s a little hard when I have to still go into work. I get lines but they are never very dark either, no matter when I test. This post has made me feel 100% better. I just hope is doesn’t take too long for any of us. Xx

@JessRa @NJ2910 aww I might try cheapies next month if it doesn’t happen this month. The clearblue ones caused me stress 😂 don’t think I can out myself through that again. Yeah testing twice a day might be tough for me too, I work for the NHS and loo stops can be limited at times, but I’ll find a way if I choose to get some ☺️ X

Hi

I think I may be missing my peak. First time using the ovulation sticks this week- been using for 5 days and no result. But going off physical symptoms ie: cervical fluid, bloating etc I have a feeling I may have ovulated earlier than day 10 of my cycle when I did my first test??

@Macaz20 I think I’ll do the same, then after I’m not as I think it’s putting unnecessary pressure on me. I’m a teacher so it’s hard to. Hope your keeping safe at the moment.

@Elbruce carry on testing! This was me last month and I got myself into a tizz of thinking my follicular phase was too short and omg my eggs will be immature but then based on my period being late 4 days I think I just randomly ovulated way later than I thought and had stopped testing too soon 🤷‍♀️.

I use ICs btw girls and I love the femometer app to track them with. It interprets the results, reminds you when to start testing more often so you don't miss your peak and let's you know exactly which days of FW you're most fertile. I'll attach my log so you see what this cycle's tests looked like - I never had to do more than one test a day btw.

@JessRa yeah deffo want to avoid that unnecessary pressure. I mean I only started it because I wanted to learn about my cycle more but then ended up worrying over it haha. Yeah definitely tough times at the moment I’m keeping as safe as possible I’m direct with patients but I’ve already been unwell quite early on so hopefully that’s it now 😔 x

@Juno231 thanks for showing us that looks good that it interprets them for you I would be useless doing it without help lol. Might give these a whirl, I notice you test in an afternoon? Is this the best time? Did you have to cling onto your wee for some time before testing? X

@macaz20 for the ICs you're not meant to use morning wee as FMU might give a false positive and although the surge might occur in the morning it takes a few hours to come through to your urine so could also give you a false negative 😂. Only reason I've been testing as late as 4pm is because you're supposed to hold your wee for at least 2h first and I REALLY struggle to go that long without weeing as I drink so much throughout the day... 3-4pm tends to be the first time I manage lol.