Advice on ovulation tests?

[wheresthesun]

Hi.

I just wondered, if you got a positive line on an ovulation test to show that the LH surge has taken place, does that definately mean you have ovulated?
We've been TTC for 10 months now and i wasn't sure if the positve meant i was actually ovulating.
Any advice would be appreciated.

I used ovulation tests when I was having fertility treatment. When things didn't happen despite the treatment, then the doctor ordered a timed ultrasound - so that they could see the empty follicle, and also the lining of the uterus. It was an extra check to make sure that everything was timed OK.
But to be honest, we'd gone through several rounds of treatment before he bothered, plus an HSG, so I think that ovulation tests should be a really good indicator of ovulation (or he would have done it before). Good luck with TTC.

Well I'm using them and am taking it that I'm most fertile for two days after a positive because the LH surge is supposed to happen in the run up to ovulation.

Will watch this thread though because we've also been trying for a number of months and still BFNs Maybe I'm wrong about the LH surge.

when you get the strong matching lines it means you are about to , not that you have. All it shows is an LH surge.

What is it which makes you think you are not ovulating?

Nothing is really making me think i'm not ovulating.We're trying for #3 and i got pregnant first time with both my sons, so i guess i'm just looking for possible reasons why it's taking so long this time.

Ah - well I am ovulating for sure (HAd a scan last month where they could see I was about to release the egg) but have been trying 9 months for my first with no luck. Next step for us is OH to have his sperm tested. It's possible that things have changed for either one of you over the years but it could be that it will just take you a bit of time

It would be worth you going to your doctor and asking for some blood tests.

Ovulation tests don't work for everyone. Let's put it this way - I used them religiously for a year and also had day 21 tests. During that time I got no positives and the docs could find no evidence of ovulation - except when they gave me a hysteroscopy and actually saw a corpus luteum (proving I had ovulated). Oh and a conceived twice during that year and DD is the result of the second time.

This is because some people's hormone levels are subnormal but it doesn't mean their fertility is - so for example you need an FSH level of 14 for the docs to detect it in blood and say 'ooh time to make babies' yet I had a level of 6 and still conceived .

Tis an inexact science. Best thing is to to just have sex very often in order to catch the eggy window

Thanks for the advice.Will probably go to the doctor in a few months if still no luck.
Good luck to everyone else!

WMMC - the OP says she is getting positives though? I think.

Is it possible to get positives but for it to actually be negative - I think that's what she wants to know?

Right so to get very personal...Your first positive should be the start of the LH surge. This is why you test every morning from about day 8-10 (depending on normal cycle length)so that you time your two most fertile days from that first positive test. This means (I think) that you should ov in under three days and not that you have ov'd. This is optimum time for BDing.

Because it takes a little time for the sperm to get into position to catch the egg you are supposed to have sex in these few days to give them a headstart. If you only have sex on ov day there is a higher chance you could miss the egg as sperm are only half way to there required destination. I assume the speed and number of sperm come (no pun intended) into the equation but my assumption is as far as I can go as I'm a little clueless after that.

Best of luck

A positive OPK does not guarantee that you will ovulate. As others have said all it confirms that you are having an LH surge. An LH surge is what triggers ovulation but it is possible to have a surge and then not ovulate. If you have PCOS, then your LH levels might be high lots of times through the cycle.

So (assuming you don't have PCOS and all is well) OPKs are for identifying good times at which to have sex (i.e. the day of a positive OPK and the couple of days afterwards) but won't tell you if you are ovulating. If you want to confirm that, the only cast-iron way to do so would be to have a scan, although charting your temps can be helpful too.

But what WMMC says is true - it's best to have sex every 2 or 3 days throughout your cycle (and a bit more if you feel like it or when you get lots of clear stretchy mucus when you wipe) and then you should have a good chance of catching the egg.

ok. Thanks everyone.