How do I properly chart my cycle?

[Sparky Mum]

Hello everyone Thanks for viewing!

I was hoping someone could give me a crash course on OPK's please. I didn't really look into any of it the first time around, we were fortunately very blessed and conceived quickly.

I donated eggs anonymously to a couple in August last year, I had to give myself injections several times a day to encourage egg growth and since then my periods have been much heavier. (I don't know how long fertility treatments take to wear off).

I never used to get any symptoms before AF arrived, but since the donation I've found I get severely sore breasts and spotting 1-2 days before she shows up.

I guess what I'm trying to articulate is that it all feels different this time around, almost like driving a different car for the first time and I want to make sure we have our best chance from the get-go, so I ask you all please, how do I properly chart my cycle?

I've downloaded Fertility Friend, but I'm not exactly sure how long my cycles normally are, I entered 30 days and entered my last period (I usually get my period at the very start/end of every month).

I would like to learn how to use ovulation sticks properly so I can compare to FF to see if it's accurate and/or figure out how long my cycles generally are. I've read that two lines means you are currently ovulating, and I've read that two lines means you're fertile prior to ovulation.

I'm not expecting any miracles during the first month but I want to be on the right path to learning and understanding.

If you have any tips to help me figure out my cycle I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Sunflower1]

I recommend reading 'Taking charge of your fertility' by Toni Weschler. Personally I don't recommend FF...it was always off for me. I find Ovia much better. I found it more helpful to chart on paper - here's a kit to get you started https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002VF8EXC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1


It has a thermometer too for temp charting.


With cheap strip opks you do them between 10am and 5pm. Don't drink much or pee for a few hours if you can manage beforehand. You can pee into a plastic disposable cup and then dip it for however long the instructions say - usually between ten and fifteen seconds. With digi ops like clearblue you have to use first morning urine.


The first day of red flow if cd1 (not spotting). When opk has line equal or darker to test line that is your LH surge and it means you will ovulate in 12-48 hrs time. If you chart your temp you will be able to see the temp rise of the start of the luteal phase, which confirms ovulation has happened. Not everyone wants to temp and you don't have to. You need to dtd before ovulation, so you can do it every other day leading up to your LH surge and either carry on every other day or up it to daily.


Two lines does not mean you are currently ovulating...it means you are about to ovulate...the LH surge kicks off ovulation but it happens usually 12-36 hrs after...the older you are the closer to the surge you ovulate. And if over 40 you can have already ovulated by the time you get a pos on cheap opks.


Clearblue advanced will also monitor estrogen so will give you more notice that you are going to ovulate.


Good luck x

 

[Sparky Mum]

Thank you very much, Sunflower!

That kit looks great, I'll buy one.

So two equally dark lines means you're fertile and are about to ovulate.

Thank you for explaining, you're a star!

 

[Sunflower1]

Yes it does but every woman's surge is slightly different..you'll get used to what yours looks like. I had a fertility doctor who said it doesn't actually have to be as dark as the test line as long as it is the darkest for you.

 

[Sunflower1]

Also notice your CM...EWCM is the best indicator of fertility. You can get it for up to 6 days prior to ovulation. You ideally want to start dtd before your surge as the days leading up to ovulation are the most important.

 

[Sparky Mum]

Thank you very much you've been so helpful
I'll start writing things down and chart properly when it arrives x

 

[Sunflower1]

Good luck!!

 

[Princess81]

EWCM is the best indicator for a lot of ladies, as said above. For me personally, I always have duff opk tests because I have PCOS, so they aren't necessarily the most reliable if you have any hormone imbalance left from the egg donation. So you could use them as a tool to aid you, but don't rely on them solely.
Listen to the signs that your body gives you too. I use an app called P tracker. Its the free version but it's pretty good at knowing when I'll be due to ovulate/AF, even with my dodgy period history!x

 

[Sparky Mum]

I'll definitely look it up, thank you
I've had a look what there is but there are so many it's hard to tell the good ones with the duff ones without wasting a month. Last time I had 6 installed but it was too confusing lol.

 

[Sunflower1]

I like Ovia - it's very accurate for me. I find Fertility Friend a bit rubbish.

 

[Sparky Mum]

I'll take a look, thank you!
I'm charting BBT & CM and doing some OPK's.
It's all new to me!
Think I'll feel better once I've seen a full cycle.