Ovulation tracking

[Margo2023]

I don't seem to be getting this at all. I am really new to ovulation tracking and have started with test strips - dipping strip into glass with pee. I have been tracking since CD2 and have a couple with faint positive lines and then the most two a very very faint line. I suppose I am looking for some advice, when should I start tracking or is it best to do it every day / how often / at what time? These are cheap test strips, is it worthwhile buying another type? The ultimate Question is how do you know when you are in the ovulation window and is it possible to tell how long the window for conception? Any help is much appreciated! I am trying to understand mine as precise as possible for IUI

I see lines, although faint at CD 4, 6 and 8 and then a very very faint line at CD 10 and 11. Just can't make any sense of it

It's positive when the test line is the same darkness or darker than the control line. Yours are currently negative :)

I've attatched a picture, there all negative until the peak.
The peak is positive and it means you should ovulate in the next 24-36hrs.

I found this a minefield at first too OP. It's tricky for sure. When you say CD 2, you mean day 2 of your period?
It's best to wait until period has ended and start tracking to build a pattern as soon as period ends. No real need to do during your period.
On average, women ovulate day 14 of cycle (not always in reality, in my case like day 18-20).
You'll usually see your 'peak' on a test about 24 hours before you ovulate. The OPK tests are only positive when the test line is just as dark, if not darker, than the control line.
For some women they have a very short peak. In that case it's easy to miss and you may need to test twice a day but I wouldn't go there just yet. Once a day, second morning urine is supposedly best.
Yours are negative for the moment but only CD11 according to your picture so not unusual. Hope this helps!

Sorry edited to add - cheapies were always fine for me as you go through so many I wouldn't dream of spending much on them. I used easy@home bought on amazon and no issues

Thank you that is incredibly helpful.

@Kiwiburgh from the picture is that a particular app you are using to track? Looks handy with having the times there too for monitoring closely

Yeah it's the premom app. You can use any brand but I felt it did work best with the easy@home brand. There also nice and cheap off Amazon.

Great thanks, I'm going to give both a try!

Hi OP, agree with what PP said, you’re still a bit early in your cycle and starting from CD2 isn’t really necessary. How long is your cycle usually? In general, women with a 28 day cycle ovulate around day 14 but for many women, it’s later in the cycle if you have a shorter luteal phase. Or if your cycle is a little longer than 28 days you might ovulate later too. Since you’re on CD12, that’s still plenty early enough to catch your peak. Keep testing. Another recommendation for Premom app, it’s good for keeping track of your LH tests. Make sure when you’re testing, you’ve held your bladder for a few hours so it’s quite concentrated.

So for years my cycle has been almost like clockwork, 28/29 day cycle. I have just recently started to track in order to follow it closer and know my peak day.

Oddly for the last couple of months, my period has appeared twice in the cycle!

For example, start of period 10 May lasts 4 days but then it arrived on 26 May lasted 5 days. I'm now on CD13 ready to test again, and today period arrives again!

I suppose I should make an appointment with the doc to try and figure out what's going on