Ovulation tests stressing me out!

[Terrazzo]

Here are the start dates of my last 4 periods:

6 April
4 May
5 June
1 July

So a 29 day cycle, then 32 days, then 28 days.

Everything says I can assume I’ll ovulate around day 16, most fertile days 14, 15 and 16.

Today is the 14th, and day 14 of cycle.

I used a clear blue ovulation test for the first time today and it had a plain empty circle, which means not fertile.

Last month I used Tesco dip tests and they never got strong enough to be a positive.

So now I am worrying I am not ovulating, am menopausal or have PCOS (no symptoms other than I’m overweight!).

I have 2 kids but never used ovulation tests before, I am now stressing we’ve ummed and ahhed too long and now I’m infertile. But I’m only 31.

Can anyone shed any light? Thanks!

You should read the instructions of the ovulation tests.

If your cycle is usually around 28-30 days, you should start testing from day 10/11 of your cycle. The first test will always be an empty circle as it’s establishing a baseline.

Test again tomorrow, first morning wee, and see what you get. You may have missed your peak but there’s a chance you haven’t.

They’re not like pregnancy tests that give you a result on the one day you test. You have to commit to use them for a fair few days to establish your hormones rising. Read the instructions!

Yes thanks for that. I did read the instructions. The instructions say to use your shortest cycle (28 days). Which means I would ovulate today, day 14. But no smiley face today.

Last month I did 5 in a row (per the instructions…) and never got a strong result (as the instructions said I should).

Ovulation on day 14 is only an assumption for the average. Even for someone with a 28 day cycle, they could ovulate on day 12 or day 18, or anytime between that. The phase after ovulation (luteal) can vary between 10 and 16 days. You can ovulate 10-16 days before your period arrives. So you might not ovulate on day 14 and you should start testing about day 10 and continue until you see your highest reading and then for a day or two after to confirm.

Some women have a short peak, so what this means is that the LH rises quickly and dips again quickly and you might not get a proper positive where it is darker than the control line. In this situation, you would take your darkest test as your peak and ovulation will occur after that. You could also use multiple OPKs each day, one in the morning and one in the evening because then you’re more likely to catch a fast peak.

However, if they are stressing you out, step away from them.