confused about OPK's can anyone help?

[girlmonkey31]

Hi all, i just wondered if you could help me, ive been using a clearblue digital OPK each morning when i wake up (according to the instructions in the box)...as it was working out expensive i bought some one step strips (following on from advice on here) -however they say specifically not to test in the morning but anytime between 10am-8pm

Does that mean ive been wasting my time on the clearblue for the past 2 weeks doing it in the morning?? (still no +ve result)

Also the strips say you have to put your urine sample in a cup -is this really necessary? can you just pee on it?!

 

[babybumpage]

I can try to give you some answers but I'm not sure how much help I can be.

First, the morning testing is considered inaccurate because you tend to have high amounts of that particular hormone in your system in the morning which can give a false +, but if you haven't gotten a + then I don't think you have that problem. It is usually better to test in the evening because it will allow you to time things a bit better and have more accurate results. So no, you haven't wasted 2 weeks.

Second, 2 weeks of testing? That's either a long cycle or Im not sure. How long is your cycle? On a 28 day cycle, testing for 14 days is a lot. I can see how that can get expensive! Are you on any medications (femara, clomid etc)? They can alter your O day. Im no help with the strips, I don't use them, but if the instructions say use a cup it might be because it needs to soak a bit longer than you would expect. I would tend to error on the side of the instructions, each kit can be different.

Not having a + for 2 weeks on a 28 days cycle would mean you might have missed it, or you might not be ovulating. I'm certainly not a Dr. so please take what I say with a huge grain of salt, but I would expect something to be + in that time frame.

 

[girlmonkey31]

Hi babybumpage, thanks very much for your response its all very helpful!
Yes im on clomid and my cycles are all over the place so have no idea what my cycle lenth is as will be using provera to induce it if nothing happens.
I tested for 2 weeks as i had no clue so i did it 3-4 days after the last clomid tablet basically every day and i didnt really know when to stop!
Im pretty sure im not ovulating which is why im on clomid but maybe i should go back to the doctor and check the doseage or at least get a blood test or something!

 

[babybumpage]

Yes, I would definitely suggest going back to the Dr. They should have a better idea than telling you to use expensive tests every day! They have a lot of other tools, blood tests, scans, etc to determine if you are ovulating. I would suggest another visit.