Aarrgghhh!!! Ovulation test stick confusion!!!

[graciemac]

I have been ttc for 6 months now and just began using ovulation test sticks this cycle and am more than a little confused!
My cycle is very irregular between 30-35 days. Started testing cd11 and no lines until cd14 (quite faint) cd15 line was definitely strong but probably not quite as dark as the control line. Next day line completely disappeared. Now cd18 and still no lines.
Is it worth continuing to test or should i ditch the darned things? Don't seeem to have a clue when i ovulate as don't get much cm or pains.
I already have a dd who was conceived without trying at all. She's over 2 and i'm desparate for the gap to not be too big.
Any advice would be great help as i am slowly driving myself mad!
Thanks

Gracie, I used sticks when trying to concieve ds3.
I had the same thing as you. The test line got a little stronger, but not really and was never as strong as the contorol line.
Accordingto the instructions I had had no surge.
However, ds3 seems to prove otherwise!
Use the sticks if it's a help, it gives you an idea, they obviously don't always work. Nothing is 100%. good luck

Your message sounds very familiar graciemac. I've given up on the things. last month I managed to get one of the kits to go positive (and still didn't get pregnant). This month, I've not managed to get any lines at all. I would suggest just throwing them all away as they create anxiety and if you're having enough BD, it'll be fine anyway.

Thanks for your replies. I think the problem may in fact be that dh and i have had enough of the old DB by cd18 or so. Think we're not giving enough attention to later on in my cycle. Will try this month but not holding out much hope. Just wish i could work out when i ovulate!

Thanks for your replies. I think the problem may in fact be that dh and i have had enough of the old BD by cd18 or so. Think we're not giving enough attention to later on in my cycle. Will try this month but not holding out much hope. Just wish i could work out when i ovulate!

I used OPK's for my last cycle and although I didn't manage to concieve I am sure of when I ovulated.

I had a 35 day cycle and I ovulated on CD 21/22. the length of time between ovulation and your period is 12 - 14 days. If you have a 30 day cycle you should ovulate between days 16 & 18 if you have a 35 day cyle you should ovulate between days 21 & 23. The time between ovulation and your period is called your luteal phase which is normally 12 - 14 day but for some women if as short as 8 days. All women are different but that might give you a better idea. Have a look at this web page its got some good info on how your cycle works www.askbaby.com/the-menstrual-cycle.htm

I didn't acctually realise till this cycle just gone that once you ovulate the egg only stays alive for 6 - 24 hours so you acctually need lots of sperm in there ready for ovulation. So your most fertile in the days leading up to ovulation not on the day of ovulation itself. I also didn't quiet understand that the OPK's pick up th LH surge which makes you ovulate but that you don't acctually ovulate on the day you get your LH surge its normally the day after that ie 24 hour after the surge.

With my last cycle I was getting frustrated at constantly getting faint lines some only appearing after 10 mins so what I started doing was dipping in the sample and then walking away and comming back dead on ten minutes and see what's on there. On CD21 I got a line appear very quickly ie within 30 seconds and by my ten minute mark was almost as dark as the test line. I am lucky as I also get OV pains and sore nips the next day. BUT the next day I did another OPK and it was deffinatley negative so it really is a surge the hormone doesn't stick around for too long. Although apparently your supposed to have a small amount of it in your system all the way through your cycle and it can rise slightly and fall slightly.

It sounds to me like you may have ovulated on the day where the OPK was the strongest. Do you use them at the same time each day? Do you try not to go for a wee or drink anything two hours before your going to test?

Sorry for the whopper of a post hope it might help. Sorry also if you already know all this stuff but its still all kinda new to me. Also I have irregular cycles but mine have been anything from 21 days to 71 days so don't stress its normal for a womans cycle to vary a few days each month.

Thanks pixie, so nice to know others are in the same boat.
I was testing at midday each day having not gone for a wee since 9ish so i think they were fairly reliable samples. what type do you use? Mine were ovultell from babyornot.com and the instructions said not to look at the result after 5 mins (must be different brands).
Not sure whether to keep testing. I'm cd19 now so if my cyle is on average 33 days long i might not ov til day 20.

Keep testing if I were you. I use these ones cgi.ebay.co.uk/PRIVATE-25-OVULATION-PREGNANCY-TEST-TESTS-U-CHOOSE_W0QQitemZ140167345748QQihZ004QQcat egoryZ30118QQcmdZViewItem There cheap and theyn seem to be pretty good so am using them again this month. I also was reccomended to read this book www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060937645/026-4331576-7966803 it hasn't arrived yet because of the postal strikes but is supposed to be really good. I've looked at a few reviews and extracts of it.

I was testing my wee between about 5 - 7pm.