Ovulation sticks explained to a dummy please

[McOrange]

Trying to get my head around all this stuff!

Could someone pls explain ovulation sticks? I think I am on about CD10 atm so would like to track ovulation soon. However, how do they work? Do I need to use them every day of my cycle to build up a pattern or just the week or so that I think I’m ovulating?

Are the cheapy ones or the CB ones best?

I'd start using them from around CD 10 my peak is around CD 15. I tried to test twice a day and just use internet cheapies. I got pregnant the first month of trying last time.

Cheap ones are fine, I recommend the easy@Home ones from Amazon which work with the free PreMom app. You take photos of the tests and it will interpret the strength of the control line and assign whether your LH level is low, high or peak.

You’ll get a peak LH reading approx 24 hours before you ovulate.

Don’t test with FMU. Wait til after about 11am. I tent to test around 2pm.

Test twice a day in the run up to ovulation.

Unlike a pregnancy test, the test line has to be as strong or stronger than the control line to indicate a peak.

And yes to begin with I would use them daily from the end of your period to build up a picture of your pattern. Some people have two peaks which usually indicates the first attempt at ovulation was unsuccessful so the body goes for it again!

I started with the clear blue digital ones as I had no idea with the other types. They’re more expensive but the flashy and static smileys are nice and easy to read.

I started on CD8 and I have a 29 day cycle, but they have a little form on their website to advise what day to start testing on.

Your first test will always be a negative O as it starts as the control, then you use the same stick with a new test each day and it detects a pattern.

Just make sure you use them on FMU, even though other OPKs advise to test after 11am.

@Hetty0 is quite right, except after your peak, you ovulate between 12 & 36 hours later so when you get your peak it's time to get busy!

Amazing advice on here; thank you.

I’ve ordered both CB and cheapy one that you upload to the app and will try both!