First time posting - Ovulation question

[kate537]

I've never used a forum before so please forgive me for not knowing abbreviations!

I'm 32. I've been charting my cycles for about a year. I'm always on a 26 day cycle. On time.

We have not conceived yet so I purchased an ovulation kit. Clear blue, the smile face one I tested for 10 days around the time I should ovulate but each test came back with no sign of ovulation.

Is is possible to be regular with no previous history of issues, but not ovulate?
Thank you!

 

[Mrs Reineke]

Hello! This is my first time using a site like this too. I've started learning all the abbreviations. LOL!! I used clearblue ovulation tests too for a few cycles and I didn't really like them. I think they might be rigged to give you certain results. One cycle it told me I ovulated twice (two peak days like a week apart). Another cycle it didn't give me any high days, just went straight to peak. I bought a second test so once I got a peak with one I could try the other one since the peak smiley stays on the test for 2 days. Well I got a peak and so I tried the other test the next time I used the bathroom and it gave me the blank circle. So I don't know how they work? LOL!! Very irritating!! I'm so sorry to hear you haven't conceived after that long. If it's been 12 months of consistently trying are you going to see your doctor?

 

[kate537]

We've only been trying for about 6 months, and by that I mean using my chart cycle and then trying around the supposed ovulation. However, we haven't been preventing anything for about a year. We just now decided to 'get serious' about it haha

My friends who've had issues didn't have regular cycles, and since I do, I'm confused. I'm hoping it's the ovulation test that's off!

 

[hairftsher]

I haven't really tried any of the tests just because I think, and from what I hear, they can be very discouraging. I'm super regular as well, and you would think that being regular would mean that you ovulate regularly too. I guess that isn't always the case? :S

 

[kate537]

I know you can have a cycle and not ovulate, but I always thought those people had irregular cycles. Who knows! And you're right, the tests are discouraging! haha

 

[Mrs Reineke]

I have regular cycles too and this is our 5th time trying. I know there's a possibility of actually not ovulating and still having regular cycles. That's what I'm scared of with me. But I'm a worry wart too. LOL!!

 

[hairftsher]

I think that I won't go down that road until hubby & I have been trying for a longer period of time. This is only the second cycle! Maybe 9 months down the road, if it doesn't happen, I'll look into those options. I feel like I want this to be a fun, enjoyable time... I'm just the type to get worked up over it very quickly. Impatient isn't the word!

 

[hairftsher]

I have regular cycles too and this is our 5th time trying. I know there's a possibility of actually not ovulating and still having regular cycles. That's what I'm scared of with me. But I'm a worry wart too. LOL!!

Worry wart! HAH! Yes that does capture it perfectly.

 

[Mrs Reineke]

It's so hard to not worry or get stressed out with the process. I'm trying my best this month to stay relaxed and let it happen without me freaking out. Of course we have to BD around ovulation, but other than that I'm TRYING to relax. LOL!! Easier said than done sometimes!

 

[kate537]

Well good luck! It is frustrating. Especially when hear so many people accidentally get pregnant, and then there are those who plan it out and it doesn't happen!

I'm not at my breaking point yet. I just became really discouraged when the ovulation kit kept saying I wasn't ovulating.

Because of my age (32) I think I may make an appointment with a specialist just to check for ovulation b/c I don't want to wait too long to start any process we may have to go down. Isn't horrible to think 32 is old?! It's not...but for fertility we're nearing the end haha

 

[Mrs Reineke]

I'll be 31 in a couple months and my husband is 32. It isn't old, but with fertility it is getting up there which is so sad!! It is very irritating that so many people get pregnant on accident and then when you time it all out and try to get pregnant it doesn't work. Annoying!

 

[hairftsher]

I've been freaking about my age and I'm only 24. I'm just prone to thinking the absolute worst things. I think there's no harm in going to a doctor, especially at 32... they are there to help!

 

[misspriss]

The clearblue tests are testing for a surge in the LH hormone. They have a threshold level that has to be reached in order to produce a smiley. There could be three or more issues:

1) Your surge is too short. Some people surge very quickly, if you test in the morning, you may surge in the afternoon and it be gone before your next surge. Did you test at the same time every day?

2) Your surge doesn't meet the threshold. You may have an LH surge and then ovulation, but the amount picked up at the time of the test was not enough to trigger the smiley.

3) You took the test at the wrong time of your cycle. Unlikely with a 26 day cycle though.

Annovulatory cycles are usually erratic, your are correct. I've had them, they were almost 1.5x the length of a regular cycle.

One question, did you use the one that was the Digital clearblue (smiley or empty circle) or the Advanced Digital (smiley, blinking smiley, or empty circle, costs more). Their sensitivity and how they work are different.

 

[Pearly86]

Misspriss explained it really well,
Clear blue advanced digital is really very confusing , however clear blue digital which is pink is great one please get that one for yourself initially it may take time to understand when you need to paos it could be fmu, smu or tmu so you got to check that and also temping along with opks are a great bet!
your cycle is 26 so you can easily get to know the pattern and keep bding as much as u guys can until cd 20 atleast this is what I am doing my cycle also varies from 26-28 so thats my plan for this cycle m cd 15 today btw

 

[Mrs Reineke]

hairftsher if you're only 24 NO WORRIES!! You are still young, not that 30 is old, but it's getting up there for fertility sadly. Relax, that's what I'm trying to do. I know stress can hinder you getting pregnant too because is affects your body so much. You'll be good!!!

 

[hairftsher]

I sure hope you're right, Mrs R. I'm a worrier by nature, and want a big family. :$
I just want it nowww.

 

[kate537]

I used the smiley or circle option. No blinking smiley. I tested first thing in the morning as it said don't urinate for at least 4 hrs beforehand.

 

[hairftsher]

Kate, do you know of anybody that has had success from using ovulation kits? Or does anybody have success stories for that matter....

 

[Mrs Reineke]

hairftsher I am totally a worry wart with anything and everything. LOL!! We want two kids and I wanted to be pregnant the first time we tried. I'm also NOT patient either!!

 

[kate537]

Kate, do you know of anybody that has had success from using ovulation kits? Or does anybody have success stories for that matter....

I had a friend recommend them and she tried for a baby for 3 yrs and eventually used some type of artificial insemination.