OPKs - to carry on with or not?

[PussinJimmyChoos]

Been TTC no 2 for two years now...

Having been on and off user of OPKs..but am actually finding them more confusing than helpful - had faint lines last week when was mid cycle, then two days of nothing and now, faint lines again, although no actual positive result

Saw a fertility consultant last week when I was mid cycle..he couldn't see any signs that I had or was about to ovulate and he said to stop with the OPKs and just focus on watching out for EWCM

Thing is, post DS, EWCM is more hit and miss than it used to be - it used to be mid cycle and very ovbious but post DS, not so much!

I am now not actually sure whether I ovulate just after period, mid cycle or later! I was CD19 yest and saw mucus so acted accordingly but finding it all so confusing...

I would stop using the OPK's particularly as your cons has advised doing this.

Do you have a diagnosis of the underlying problem?. Are your periods irregular in nature?. What tests have been done on both of you to date?.

EWCM is actually a poor indicator of ovulation.

Sorry for all the questions btw.

No worries - I thought EWCM was a reliable indicator for ovulation

Just started down the investigation route...conceived DS within 3 months so no problem there, this one taking a lot longer!

Had transvaginal scan and 21 day bloods - all look normal and next stage is day 3 bloods, sperm test for hubby and I've got 3 cycles worth of clomid (100mg). Cons said he couldn't see anything abnormal with the womb, had a good egg reserve and only one thing was that one side of my womb lining was a bit thin...

Am trying to pin point ovulation as would prefer to ensure we are hitting the right time before I take Clomid...cos don't fancy the mood swings etc

Unfortunately secondary subfertility is not unknown at all (this is how your situation would be described now).

What was the result of the day 21 blood test?.

I had thin lining as well due to non ovulation (in my case PCOS was the underlying cause).

I am wondering if they were looking for signs of polycystic ovaries (btw the cystic follicles associated with this can disappear only to be replaced by further cystic follicles). Did they have a good look at both ovaries?.

Am wondering why you have been prescribed clomid (seemingly without a diagnosis as well so not good practice), you should be monitored whilst on this as you won't know otherwise whether its working or otherwise. Its main job is to make the ovaries work harder.

Semen analysis often requires repeated tests; one semen analysis is not indicative of whether there is a male factor problem or not. Tests as well should be done in tandem rather than them just working on you first - again poor practice on their part.

Let them pinpoint ovulation as they are more likely to find out if and when ovulation is happening. Its nigh on impossible to self predict the day with any degree of accuracy.

Well we initially were going to get DH sperm test done on NHS but the wait list is too long so at the appt, I told the cons it would be done privately to speed things up and he agreed so that was the reason for it not being done in tandem iyswim

The reason for Clomid was to 'give my ovaries a boost'. I did ask if I was going to be monitored while on Clomid due to Hyperstimulation etc and cons said no as it was a very small risk and that it could get very expensive to be having scan after scan - although I didn't mention costs as am not too worried about scan costs - its the more invasive tests HSG etc that would have to be done on NHS

What signifies an anovulatory cycle? Periods are pretty regular and I am not polycystic - would the 3 day bloods show this? Progesterone was just one below the reference range lower value (can't remember exactly but cons said was not of any concern

Hi Puss

That's good re the first para and at least you've not been given the "unexplained infertility" non diagnosis. One semen analysis is not fully conclusive and should always be repeated.

The day 3 blood test normally compares the LH level against that of your FSH level. LH and FSH are two very important hormones as they kickstart the ovulation process. Normally these levels are the same.

Generally speaking if periods are regular in nature ovulation is more likely to be happening than otherwise. However, even normally fertile women have the occasional anovulatory cycle.

Clomid can make the ovaries work harder but if there is definitive proof that ovulation is not a problem then I'd be wondering why clomid has been prescribed.

I hope you get definate answers soon re the precise nature of the conception difficulties.

OP, charting will give you some more info.

Have never charted...what to do - what is best thermometer to use, when to take temp etc?

Did OPK earlier and had strongest line so far (although not same intensity as control line so technically a negative) but that combined with what I'm pretty sure was EWCM last night, I think I maybe having a late ovulation

Would explain why womb lining was thin on one side/cons couldn't see egg etc...

Hate the 2 week wait though!

There are a few options you could use:

You could buy a 'clearblue fertility monitor' and use that consistently - takes the guess work out of the OPKs (although cheaper is the Persona monitor, and does the same thing but in reverse )

You could chart. Buy a basal body thermometer (it gives a temperature to 2 decimal places instead of the usual 1 decimal place). They are relatively cheap (£6 ish). You take your temperature at the same time every day, immediately after waking, before doing ANYTHING. Some ladies find oral temping fine. Others find they get more accurate temps by taking their temperature vaginally.

Each day you plot your temperature on a chart. There are a couple of software programmes out there which are very helpful. Fertility friend is great. You look for a dip in temperature followed by a rise for ovulation. The site gives comprehensive instructions.

The other thing you could do (in addition) is buy an ovulation microscope. You spit on it, let it dry, and examine the saliva for 'ferning' - ferning indicates ovulation. Very simple, very quick. Ovulation microscopes vary in price from £8-£20.

Pass I an with attila here. If you have been trying so long opks and trying are probably not much use.

You are under the cons now so at least hopefully they will find an answer. Charting plays with your brain and opks aren't much better. Says someone who has been there and bought the tshirt.

Temping not trying. You need to try obviously x

I am with attila, you should definately stop charting/using OPKs. despite obviously ovulating (cant get pg without an egg) I have never had a clear bfp on an OPK.

Had quite a bit of EWCM last night as well as feeling tearful and boobs hurting, and today a strong BFP on the OPK...yest was CD 20...not sure if can ovulate that late but its not unheard of I'm sure and would explain why cons saw thin lining/no egg....

it definately possible, and a leutal phase defect could explain why youve been ttc for so long. the egg needs at least 10d to implant properly.

leutal phase defect? Periods usually arrive between CD 28 and CD31 (once or twice CD 32)..so cycle lengths are not any longer...

late ovulation is very common, but you need blood tests in case its a one off. a leutal phase defect is when you ovulate too late (or too early) in the cycle for implatation to occur.

I see...and if is that, what can they do about it, aside from the Clomid I have already been prescribed?

How are you doing btw Lissie - you are testing thurs is that right? Please let me know how you get on

I would say ditch the opk sticks.

I used a Persona monitor for contraception and became unexpectedly pg with ds1. Then during the cycle I conceived with ds2, according to the opk sticks I didn't ovulate. I found it all very confusing and they really didn't work for me, however some people find them useful.

I would say you should consider charting. I would recommend the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. It shows you how to use charting for ttc and for contraception. It explains how various symptoms/signs can indicate ovulation and once you become aware of these and chart them you become very in tune with your body and your cycle.

I noticed the bit about you ovulating late on in your cycle, and maybe this is something you should pay attention to. The leutal phase (from ovulation to the start of your next period) has to be at least 10 days long for the egg to implant and for a successful pregnancy to occur. If it is under 10 days your egg may well be fertilised but doesn't have a chance to implant. Does that make sense? There are things that can be done to increase your leutal phase.

If you know and chart your cycle inside out it is easier to pinpoint where potential problems may be.

Good luck

Oh, and EWCM does change as you get older.

In your 20's the average amount of days with EWCM is four, however that halves when you're in your 30's.

That makes sense - I had no problem with EWCM when ttc Ds as was in my 20s...

Am a bit all over the place tbh...some months I have EWCM mid cycle and in those instances, I tend to have my period CD28 but the months where I think I have ovulated late, AF has been CD 30 or maybe more so I'm not sure if have leutal phase defect...

'tis all doing my head in