Ovulation Predictor Tests

[Anonymous]

I'm using the ovulation prediction tests for the first time -- I've gotten pregnant three times without much 'effort' but I just turned 40 (last week!) and DH and I decided that we did want to try for another child -- so in anticipation of the process being trickier now that I'm "advanced maternal age" I decided to try to track and maximize our time by figuring out when I am ovulating.

I'm on day 19 since the start of my last period, and still nothing showing positive on those tests. I don't know how long my cycle usually is---I'm honestly never paid too much attention but I'm guessing 30 days as when I look back and see what I can remember from the past 6-7 months, that seems most accurate. However, this summer I had a very bizarre cycle. I was close to 3 weeks late (but not pregnant--I even took a test because I was so baffled) for July. Then my next cycle after that wasn't as long, but was a bit longer than 'normal' in that I think it was close to 5 weeks in between periods.

Should I be worried that it's day 19 and no action yet? Do the two strange cycles from this summer potentially mean anything? Of course my main concern is that we are too late and I have totally stopped ovulating.


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[Anonymous]

you may be starting menaupause with the irregular cycles. Keep testing, let your OBGYN know and maybe see an RE. Climbed or metformin may help? good luck

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP. I'm dismayed that menopause would even be a possibility but I guess it could be! I just don't feel like 40 is old enough for that ha ha! According to the OPK no ovulation yet, still. How frustrating!

[Anonymous]

+1 for perimenopause

[Anonymous]

you might have a shorter than average lutal phase. I do had no idea till I did ovulation tests. I have regular cycles 26-29 days but the viable part is always before ovulation. Post ovulation I am abut 11 days, short of the 14 normal. 10 or above is long enough for pregnancy, and I've had two easy peasy late 30s early 40s pregnancies. So yes, I can go to day 19 without ovulating and still have a viable month. Keep testing. good luck!

[Anonymous]

How long since your last pregnancy? My cycle changed quite a bit since my daughter was born -- I ovulate later and my luteal phase is shorter and not consistent (which it's supposed to be).

Anyway, if you can afford to spend the money on it, I highly recommend the clearblue fertility monitor. It takes the guesswork out of OPKs, you don't have to time things correctly (I've read a lot on the internet that you should test at like 10am and 2pm with the OPK and that wasn't possible for me, I work full time). With the fertility monitor, you just use urine from first thing in the morning and it will tell you when you have a high and peak chance of ovulation.