what is the benefit of having a clearblue or personna style monitor as opposed to just peeing on sticks

[thetryingistrying]

hi, tried teh peeing on sticks to predict ovulation and tbh just found it confusing. i.e. i didn't appear to ovulate.

are the monitors worth the vast expense?

[libralady]

Sorry that should read £19.99 for 20 from Boots (2 months supply)

[libralady]

The clearblue digital monitor which I am using is slightly different to the CB ovulation sticks. Basically you pee on a stick each morning from day 6 - 15 and place it in the monitor. This then reads the stick and there is an easy digital window on the monitor which shows one of three things. One bar, low chance of fertility, 2 bars high chance of fertility or three bars peak fertility. The sticks measures for the LH surge which preceeds ovulation (usually within the following 24 hours) and basically when you get the three bars you go for it!
Have only been using it for 2 months, and like I said, at least it is confirming to me that I am ovulating.
The monitor is £99 new from Boots, although I picked mine up second hand on e-Bay for just £40. Then the sticks (you need 10 per month) retail at £19.99 in Boots but again I get mine cheaper on e-Bay.
Hope this helps.
LL

[mrslurkalot]

Hi, I'm not sure how the tests actually work, but as they give you a definate yes or no to ovulating it must be cleverer at reading the tests than I am! Also used the clearblue digital pregnancy test which give a definate 'pregnant' or 'not pregnant' in the little window...........

[thetryingistrying]

thanks pp. the clearblue one does sound cleverer in that it measures estrogen. i should just sodding buy one seeing as i have tried every other dammed thing. [sound of more money being flushed down the loo]

[professorplum]

Persona learns when you are ovulating and starts giving you 'red days' several days before ovulation but with the sticks you only know when you are ovulating on the day that you are, which is a bit late if you aren't ttc. As I use persona most of the time then I can usually predict when I am ovulating but when I make a concious decision to ttc my body gets over excited and my cycle gets very irregular, hence the sticks.

[thetryingistrying]

thanks ll and mrslal so does the computery bit just 'look' at the sticks. is is better at 'looking' or does it do something cleverer.

[mrslurkalot]

ps - I was also told that I wasn't ovulating, and I'm sure it's because I don't have a standard 28 day cycle!

[mrslurkalot]

Hi, I have used ovulation tests to get pregnant twice. Never used persona etc so can't comment on those.

The first time we were trying I sometimes found the tests hard to read and I also have a long cycle so I wasn't testing for long enough - worked in the end though! (2 looong years)

Second time I used the clearblue digital tests (expensive but worth it imo) which give a very clear result either a plain circle or a smily face. Maybe because I understood my cycle a bit better it worked second time.

I think getting to understand your cycle is the most important bit as once you are ovulating you have a very short window of oportunity but if you know approx when you are going to ovulate you can make sure you BD lots in the days before. DH was actually working away when I ovulated this time - we BD 2 days before and got pregnant!

I know how bloody hard it is TTC and I wish you lots of lucky baby dust!

[libralady]

I'm using a CBDM and have been using it for 2 months now. I was concerned as when I was ttc#1 it took 3 years and after having all the tests and was told I didn't ovulate we had given up hope before being prescribed clomid only to discover I was already pg when I picked up my prescription.
The CBDM is confirming to me that I am ovulating but on CD11/12 which is probably why it wasn't showing up on my BTs all those years ago.
I'm feeling more confident this time around and appreciate it may take a few months, although I am now 38 and time isn't on my side anymore.

[thetryingistrying]

and what is the advantage of one over the other.

[thetryingistrying]

that is v. confusing pp. is that because you want complete accuracy when you are not trying to conceive and are more laid back about it when you are?

[professorplum]

I have a persona monitor for when I am trying not to concieve as I can't use other contraception. When I am trying to concieve I get cheap ovulation predictor kits from ebay as persona sticks are £10 per month.

[kd73]

Please someone answer - I too want to know!

[thetryingistrying]

so, nobody has an opinion on this? or are you all too busy shagging?

[thetryingistrying]

bump