Can I have a negative OPK test and still have ovulated?

[pinkpeony]

This is my first cycle on Clomid, which I was prescribed to regularise my cycles after a MMC in August. Have been using Clearblue Fertility Monitor for last 2 cycles - last cycle I had a + test when I ovulated. This cycle I had no + result, however had most of the ovulation signs like high soft open cervix (sorry tmi) and BBT rise for 6 consecutive days now, although little CM (which I hear can be a side effect of Clomid). Anyone had any experience with OPK tests while on Clomid? And could I have ovulated even though doesn't show up on test? Can the LH surge be so quick that it didn't show up in 2 tests 24 hours apart? Or could it be that I just didn't ovulate on this cycle? (maybe I should stop using it if it blocks ovulation!) Would really appreciate if anyone has experience of reliability of OPK while taking Clomid.

Hi Pinkpeony,
I haven't had any experience with OPK while on Clomid, but I do know women on here have got a BFP while testing negative on the OPKs.
The BBT rise is more accurate than an OPK. You have probably missed the LH surge, which can happen in under 24 hours i.e. goes up and down between tests.
HTH
dg

Thanks. I was wondering if it is possible to get a "false negative" on OPKs if the LH surge is too short. Sounds like it is possible. Especially as I was ovulating before starting Clomid (prescribed for a short LP) so am hoping it wouldn't stop my ov!

Would suggest you refrain from using opk's whilst on clomid as clomid can encourage the production of LH. OPK's read LH; the kit could just be reading this increased hormone level.

OPK's work on two misleading principles; namely that women only have one rise in LH every month and that such a rise is immediately followed by ovulation. Both of these are simply not true.

Clomid should only really be used if ovulation is problematic; if ovulation is confirmed to be happening on a regular basis clomid is of no benefit at all.

Pinkpeony, just to say I also have a friend who got negatives on opk's and then got a bfp resulting in her ds who is now 1 year old.
I tend to steer clear of them and rely on my temperature and cm.

Thanks buttercupbabe and Attila.
Attila, I guess I seem to be having the reverse problem on Clomid - the OPK doesn't detect any LH surge (have not had any positive reading although think I have ovulated). Have you seen that happen before? I guess if the LH surge was short and wasn't caught by any of the readings?
I suppose now I just wait and see another week if AF arrives or not and try not to rely on OPKs anymore.

Hi sorry to bump an old thread but had the same question. Pinkpeony hope you have detected OV by now (and even better have your BFP). I got pregnant with my daughter (now 19 mts) without ever getting a +ve OPK (I went through about 8 sticks). Now TTC again and have spent £45 on Clearblue sticks, but also checking BBT. Not sure why I bothered as I'm getting all negatives again!!

SazzaK - what time of day are you testing for LH?

When I first started using OPKs I never got a positive and was really starting to worry - I switched to Clearblue Digital and tested in the evening and then the smiley faces started to appear.
The cheapie pee on a stick variety of test never worked for me. Once i got a smiley face on CBD and then (just out of curiosity) tested on a cheapie stick and got a negative.
I don't drink tea or coffee and pretty much only have water during the day so my urine is very very dilute and I think this played a part too.

Hi - i have no experience of taking clomid but i did get a BFP on a month when i didnt get a positive on an OPK. Hope this helps.

Thanks - I'm a big water drinker too so I was testing in the morning - but have done a couple of evening tests too and also negative (hence pricey with CBD!). Maybe it's not happening this month - thanks for suggestions.

2pm is the best time apparently, but then you'll have to hold off the drinking (not that I'm suggesting you're an alcoholic ). I only got +ve OPKs at this time - not on clomid though. If you've had a high BBT for 6 days I'd say you've OV'd and missed it on the OPK.

Good luck

Thanks coby - sorry I'm not on clomid either, just bumped thread as the title was the same Q I had an thought OP might find responses useful too... will try at 2pm then!

durrr...yes sorry, forgot you weren't the OP (pregnancy brain )

If you are on clomid because you have PCOS there is no bloody use using OPK because your hormone levels will not be the same as the norm and hence won't show up. E.G. my ovulating LH level is 24 - needs to be 40+ for it to show up on OPKs. Guess what, I have a daughter and I'm up the duff. Clearly ovulation happened a couple of times without the kits knowing.

Throw it away, have sex every couple of days and try not to get stressed. I bet you're pregnant by February!