GP told me to scrap the OPK tests

[Rose5257]

TTC #1 on cycle 3 now. I'm 28.
I called gp to speak about TTC and that I'm using opk. I have regular ish periods, from 28 days - 33days. She said my periods are fine and I should scrap the OPK, enjoy TTC.

How can I scrap OPK , I would never know when I get an lh surge to dtd? Is it possible to ttc and not check when you ovulate?

When we were trying to conceive we just had sex every other day. That was it. We didn't have any fertility issues though and conceived fairly quick. If it would have gone on months and months we may have looked into tracking in some way.

We did one cycle if checking and was utterly pointless.
Sex every other or third day from about 4/5 days after my period. (I actually needed clomid but the point still stands!)

I agree with your GP. You've barely started trying, 3 months is no time at all, although I know it can feel like it. Just enjoy having sex for the next few months and then see where things are. You're young and have time on your side (any medical condition permitting) so just enjoy it before getting bogged down with timings abs testing.

Try the sperm meets egg method. Basically lots of sex!

Just keep shagging, OP

I’m split on this tbh. I kind of agree with your GP in that it adds pressure and makes it all very.. clinical if you start checking everything to that extent ime.

But I know how you feel too! I’m ttc my first and we’re nearly 10 months in.

The theory is they can cause stress, obsession and pressure which can affect fertility. As other posters have said, every few days gives you plenty of chance for it to happen!

Just dtd often! How do you think the human race reproduced for a couple of thousand years without tests?

I used OPK to track my ovulation for around 7-8 cycles. No luck. Then I got fed up and stopped using OPK, stopped thinking about dates, calculating my 14th day etc. and in few months we conceived. I think the theory is when you have so much calculation and preparatory work you actually start stressing which might impact ovulation, environment for sperm to travel and many factors which contributes for conceiving. Not thinking about all these and enjoying sex, makes all things favourable for you to convince. You are young, you don’t need to get into all these , just enjoy TTC! Good luck.

The NHS advice for TTC is to just DTD every 2-3 days. I got told the same thing. Doesn't mean it won't work trying to time DTD with your LH surge of course, it's just not something they specifically reccomend. I've been TTC 7 months and was told not to waste my money on them by the GP, but of course still carried on with them as it's personal choice x

Unless you've got any known issues I'd not worry about the testing. I was 37, fell the first time. I was undoubtedly lucky (and surprised) but surely all the testing does is let you target your effort. It doesn't change anything?

Just keep shagging, OP

Perfect advice 😂

Why did you seek your GP’s advice about ttc? Weird thing to do, unless you or your DP have fertility issues.

I think it depends; I bought a bbt wearable and I’ve found myself way less stressed since getting that I still use lh strips as well. For me it means the pressure is off for the later half of the month - I found DTD every other day for a month exhausting and clinical. I know when I’ve ovulated and know that I’ve done everything I could do to get pregnant that month and the rest is up to chance/fate.
So if the thought of not using lh is making you more stressed keep using them if you think lh positive is putting pressure on stop. I think some GPS are super into the “it will happen when you stop trying” mantra which is just 🙄

Sorry OP but this did make me laugh out loud.

You've got regular periods, no reason to think any issues, etc...

So you TTC in the exact same way women have for millennia.

Shag.

If you want to be more scientific about it shag every other day...

You’re very early on in TTC. That being said, OPKs are helpful in learning when you actually ovulate. If you find yourself getting hung up on them, probably best not to use.

@Vividdreamer88

I think it depends; I bought a bbt wearable and I’ve found myself way less stressed since getting that I still use lh strips as well. For me it means the pressure is off for the later half of the month - I found DTD every other day for a month exhausting and clinical. I know when I’ve ovulated and know that I’ve done everything I could do to get pregnant that month and the rest is up to chance/fate. So if the thought of not using lh is making you more stressed keep using them if you think lh positive is putting pressure on stop. I think some GPS are super into the “it will happen when you stop trying” mantra which is just 🙄

Which is fair enough if you suspect there could be issues or you've been trying for a while, are a bit older or whatever.

OP is 28 with regular periods and has only tried three times.

TTC number one we just had a lot of sex- DH loved it. With number 2 I was knackered so we used opk tests so that I could be more strategic with when I could be bothered to shag!

Of course it’s possible

I thought nhs advice was sex every few days for optimal sperm volume and quantity? Then there's plenty around up there when you ovulate. Most woman will be pregnant within 12 months.
I did try using a moon cup to keep it all up there, but was actually already pregnant by that point and had such bad pregnancy related wind that it actually push the cup out .
She's not wrong OP, try and have fun (while you can.....).

OP - ignore the sarcastic comments as they are unhelpful.

I’m a bit like you in the sense where if I gave up OPKs I’d be making a stab in the dark. I find it exhausting to DTD every other day during a 33 day cycle and I’m happy to narrow it down to my fertile week. So when my OPKs start getting dark I know peak LH surge is approaching and I DTD leading upto it, during it and a day or so after it. A lot less DTD in my opinion plus it makes me feel like I’ve tried my best that month. Peace of mind I guess x

@ktsa4

Just keep shagging, OP

Haha very true

Oh works away a lot so we can't dtd every 2/3 days. We're doing it 1/2 times a week so that's why we was using opk to organise dtd around ovulation. I'm also going to try giving BBT charting a go!

I agree we're very early in TTC but it feels like it's been so long lol GP has said to come back after 12 months of trying

I'd use it for a couple of months just to get an idea of when you ovulate.

I always have had a 28 day cycle and ovulate on day 10 always I'd have been way off if I hadn't checked because I'd have guessed it was days later than that.

Have you tried having a look st your cervical mucus? Changes in cervical mucus are signs of impending ovulation. I would ditch opk as well.