Ovulation pains but no peak on OPK

[Carlswhite29x]

Hey everyone,

So first time using OPKs. For the last two cycles I just used ovulation tracker apps. While I am sure they work fine for others, I have just had my coil out in January so have an unpredictable cycle and no data from previous cycles to input into the apps. So I figured the clear blue tests with the smiley face would be a pretty good place to start as they are easy to read.

I looked at the two apps I use to try and figure out when to start using the OPKs and started at the time the apps were telling was the second day into my fertile window (CD10). The apps predicts ovulation to occur today or tomorrow depending on which one you look at so I kept in mind that I likely wouldn't get a smiley face until Thursday or friday.

I tested Thursday and got a circle (meaning no ovulation/LH surge) in the morning but at around 10pm I felt ovulation pains in my left ovary. I have experienced ovulation pain before but after having the coil in it had been a while since I had had them. I even googled to check the position on where ovulation pains would be and it was in the exact spot (just on the inside on the hip on the left or right). Of course it's the right sort of time for ovulation to occur as well, maybe a day or two early but my cycles have been so varied since getting the coil removed (30days, 26days, 35days).

Anyway, I tested this morning, expecting to see a smiley face and nope. Still a circle. I know the brain is a powerful thing and sometimes you can look for symptoms you don't have but I have definitely had ovulation pains before and they came on so randomly since I didn't expect to be ovulating for a few days.

I don't know whether I should 100% trust the clear blue OPKs simply because I did do one the other day and it was coming up with an error message when I did the test exactly how it said to in the instructions.

My body and the apps are telling me I'm ovulating but the tests are not. Either way we will cover our bases and DTD but I just wondered if anyone else had any experiences with the clear blue ovulation tests or any input?

Sorry I cant be more helpful, I've never used the clear blue OPK test but do use the cheap OPK tests.. it's the Luteinizing hormone that triggers ovulation so it has to happen in order to ovulate but sometimes it's just easily missed! some people have a very short surge and others quite long, my OPK this cycle was positive from Saturday morning until Sunday early evening. How often were you testing prior to what felt like ovulation? Maybe you could get some cheap OPKs (you get them from amazon or ebay) and do these along side your Clear blue ones? Just as a backup??

Good luck xxx

@Graceybaby ah okay! I don't know how long or short my LH surge is due to it being the first month using OPKs so it's certainly something for me to look out for in the future.

I started testing tuesday in the AM and then every morning since. I was tempted to test last night when I got the pains but the clear blue tests are so expensive, I didn't want to use them all up and last month my period came a week later than usual so I ovulated later than the apps predicted and I wanted to make sure I had plenty of tests incase that happens again.

I will definitely get the cheapies for next month. When I bought the clear blues i figured they would be easier to read but I have since looked into the cheaper options and they seem straightforward anyway.

Definitely go for cheap ones, they all do the same thing. Until you establish a baseline to your cycle you might want to do them quite often. If I remember correctly it suggests doing them mid morning/ afternoon (Definitelynot FMU as it builds up in your body throughthe day). Once the LH is detected and is getting stronger I would do them 2/3 times a day. A surge can be quite quick, and you might just miss it if you're only doing it once a day.

@SoonToBeMrs91 Thank you! I will definitely give it a go testing more frequently.

Agreed, I just use the cheapies and test 2-3 times a day when I feel I'm near O! xx

Update: just tested now that I have finished work and I got a smiley face . So was definitely getting ovulation pains last night (I read it can happen before you ovulate as well as during ovulation and even after).

I'm guessing when I tested this morning my LH hadn't built up enough to indicate ovulation so definitely worth testing twice a day!

Yay, that's good news! Good luck xx