Ovulation testing

[Paperflower36]

I’m new to everything. I’m 36 and trying to get pregnant for the first time. I was bought a clear blue ovulation test kit by my partner and well, I just don’t get it. I’ve currently had 10 flashing smilies in a row but no static. My period should have been due yesterday but I am in no way regular. I’m also a type 1 diabetic. Any help would be appreciated.

Cycle tracking can be a tricky when irregular but also its why I find cycle tracking so important (prior TTC it was handy to know when to expect AF!)

Would you be willing to give BBT a go instead of using OPKs as OPKs can be a bit unreliable and expensive to keep using when irregular.

If you do want to keep using OPKs, I'd suggest buying some cheap strip ones from Amazon and using them twice a day as soon as your period finishes, record them yourself so you can watch for progression as the lines get darker and then lighter again and that should help give you a better indication of when you ovulate.

Theres many reasons for the flashy smiles you keep having, some reasons:

1. Some people will never get a true positive OPK but still experience the hormone rise, just not enough to produce a static
2. they may have a very long build up to ovulating which causing many days of flashy smiles
3. Perhaps the hormone drop after ovulation is very slow and that's why the flashy smiles continue
4. The true positive (static smile) may only appear in a very short window and so may have bee missed, that's why testing twice a day is recommended

For me, I know that I never see a flashy before ovulation, just a sudden static smiley face followed by loads of flashy smiles until AF shows up. So you may have missed the static smile.

So, my partner insisted we keep using the ClearBlue tests. 2nd month in a row and nothing but flashies, no statics. Coming up for my ninth in a row. Is something wrong with me? Has anyone never had a static and still gotten pregnant?

@Paperflower36 sorry to ask but why does your partner insist? Also, you can start BBT as well, that will give you more insights.

[quote Bundaberg84]@Paperflower36 sorry to ask but why does your partner insist? Also, you can start BBT as well, that will give you more insights.[/quote]
I call him my partner because I don’t know what else to call a guy you aren’t in a romantic relationship ship with but your trying to have his baby. Lol. He doesn’t want to waste time, he’s very busy. Also what is BTT? Still wondering if no statics means I’m defective

I think @Oneweekwait nailed it. You are by no means defective.
BBT means body basal temperature. There are thermometer that measure your temperature, and apps that help you keep track. It's actually more reliable than ovulation kits as they don't work for everyone.

@Bundaberg84

I think *@Oneweekwait* nailed it. You are by no means defective. BBT means body basal temperature. There are thermometer that measure your temperature, and apps that help you keep track. It's actually more reliable than ovulation kits as they don't work for everyone.

Thanks. So I need to get a thermometer and take my temperature instead. Does it go up when your ovulating then? I swear they never explain half this stuff to me growing up. Feel a bit dumb

@Paperflower36 we've all been there, trust me :) I found this link I think might be helpful for you. flo.health/getting-pregnant/trying-to-conceive/tracking-ovulation/basal-body-temperature

@Bundaberg84 Thanks