Advice on ovulation kits please

[follygirl]

Hello ladies. I am asking advice on behalf of my sil who has been trying to conceive for a while now with no success. Apparently she is ovulating and from what I gather it is fairly early on in the cycle.
I remember using very cheap ovulation sticks when I was trying to work out my cycle with my dd but as this was nearly 7 years ago I appreciate that things have moved on.

What would you ladies recommend?

The best way of telling whether ovulation is happening or not is to have blood tests done on a regular basis.

If your SIL has been ttc for coming up to a year now she is better off not using the kits at all (they are beset with problems at the best of times particularly if the menstrual cycle is irregular) and having blood tests done. She could also have an internal ultroasund done to see if there are any signs of polcystic ovaries.

Both she and her man should be tested further to find out where any potential fertility problem lies. Also if she is over 35 and has been ttc for over six months then a visit to the GP is in order anyway.

Ovulation can occur earlier, later or not at all in any given cycle. It is quite possible to have periods without ovulating.

Thanks for the advice. It's difficult as I'm not sure what tests she has had. I think she has had a blood test to prove she is ovulating and my brother has been tested too.
I think she has been checked out for polcystic ovaries as well. From what my brother has said, her cycles are regular (30 days) but that she seemed to think that she might be ovulating on day 7 or so and not mid-cycle and that could be where they are 'going wrong'.
They live in Spain so I'm not sure what the situation is regarding doctors. As I said she has been seen but I'm not quite sure as to how extensive the tests have been.
They have been trying for about 2 years now and understandably she is a bit sensitive about discussing it with me particularly as I have 2 dc.
My brother asked me to see how much ovulation tests are over here as I think they are quite expensive in Spain.

Hi follygirl,

No point at all in using such kits. If they have been ttc for 2 years they are actually well beyond the stage of using ovulation kits.

One blood test and one semen analysis for instance is not at all sufficient. These tests need to be repeated on a regular basis; they need a diagnosis first and foremost.

It is likely that either one or both of them equally are contributing to the subfertility problem. Any test result done over 6 months ago should be discounted; they both need up to date test results. It may be that they have not been adequately investigated to date and I would think that healthcare standards in Spain are far different to that here (as well as being very expensive).

They as a couple need to be able to work with the specialists as a team; if this is not happening then they need to find someone who they can truly work with. Open and honest communication is vitally important.

Your SIL may want to look at a British website called Infertility network as this can also give support and advice. I'll put up the details for you.

www.infertilitynetworkuk.com

Is she charting?

Hi, to awnswer you question on the sticks i would recomend the cheap ones of ebay 30 for £5.50 i bought these and some exspensive ones and used them together (as i didnt trust the cheap ones much) but i got EXACTLY the same result off both tests.

Good luck to your sil.

Thanks for all the advice, I have passed on all the info.
For those of you who are ttc, I wish you all the best luck in the world.