Ovulation Tests

Updated on October 01, 2008
S.B. asks from South Elgin, IL
21 answers

What's your take on using an ovulation kit to determine when you're ovulating? We're trying to conceive our second child (the first was a surprise), so I'm curious what experiences other women have had. Any luck? Any advice?

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So What Happened?

I appreciate everyone's advice and suggestions! We tried the ovulation test sticks for two months, but neither time they indicated I was ovulating. I went with the old fashioned way by checking my mucus and tried to conceive when I thought my body was telling me I was ovulating. It proved to be sucessful, as I am now almost 4 months along! Thanks again!

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A.B.

answers from Chicago on

The ovulation kit actually helped to diagnose me with polycystic ovarian syndrome because it showed that I wasn't ovulating at all. While I was going through a fertility work-up with a specialist I actually spontaneously ovulated which I hadn't done ever in the past year I was monitoring. I would never had known if I wasn't using the kit. I credit the kit for helping me get pregnant and my fertility doc for helping me stay pregnant.

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K.N.

answers from Chicago on

I used the Clearblue Easy Ovulation monitor (a little pricey- I got mine on ebay), but I conceived my first daughter the 1st month I used it and my second daughter on the 2nd month I used it. So basically, I have used it for 3 months total and conceived 2 children using it. I have several friends that were successful with it as well.

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P.M.

answers from Chicago on

I am very irregular with my cycle so I did not find the ovulation tests helpful. Our Dr. recommended them but I found that I couldn't use just one box per cycle because it was impossible to predict when it might come up positive. I found them to be just another money making scheme. Having to buy box after box. Instead I use charting and checking fluids to tell me and it worked because we are expecting our first in 5 weeks, and I conceived on day 56 of my cycle.

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T.R.

answers from Chicago on

I used the test strips from early-pregnancy-tests.com. Although the strips are not as easy to use as the stick they are much cheaper than anything you will find in the store. They also have other options to detect ovulation but the strips seem easiest and cheapest. We are trying to have our 3rd and although my past 3 pregnancies have sadly ended in miscarriage, I was quickly able to conceive using the test. Good luck!!

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J.V.

answers from Chicago on

I really did not have any luck with them we tried for a year and then turned to the Dr I ended up on Clomid and first try with that we were preggo Good Luck

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P.

answers from Chicago on

I used them and I conceived in two months. Definitely worth it!

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M.V.

answers from Chicago on

Not sure if these tests have changed over the years, but back when I used them (about 5 years ago), I learned from my doctor that they really only predict the hormonal surge that occurs before you SHOULD ovulate. It does not confirm whether or not ovulation actually follows that surge. I had been using them every month and would get my "go ahead reading", but later, through charting my Basal Body Temp, I learned I did not even ovulate every month. I would suggest talking with your doc about charting. There are also books and websites that explain it in detail and how to do it. It is a far more accurate method, and it's also free!

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

They are expensive. But it worked for us...that and taking my temperature every morning before I got out of bed. Good luck to you.

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H.J.

answers from Chicago on

I've had really good luck with the ClearBlue Easy Fertility Monitor. It's easy to use, and not that expensive. Plus it tracks your cycle for you, so there's no guessing on when to use the pee sticks. I've found that I've spent a lot less money overall than my friends who used the pee stick OPK's (Ovulation Predictor Kits). Get a new one on Ebay, they're way cheaper.

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C.P.

answers from Chicago on

We used the ovulation calculator on babycenter.com. When I looked back at the sheet I had printed out, it said my daughter's birthday as the approximate due date! Turns out the dates it said I was ovulating were right on the money! I thought it was amazing how accurate it was!

Good luck and God bless!
C.

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M.D.

answers from Chicago on

Hi S.
I have used the Answer brand ovulation predictor kit. They have a 5 strip test kit, and one that contains enough strips to test for a whole month. That works out good if you are irregular like I am. The price is reasonable, only about $20 and I purchased it at Walgreens. I got success after using it one month and now have a new baby girl.

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E.H.

answers from Chicago on

I used the kit I bought at walmart with a pregnancy test in it too. I think it was three tests to find out if you are ovulating. I kinda knew already my body pretty well so I just used them to confirm my feelings already. 14 days after my last period I used the test a few days. I think they work pretty well, and if you don't ovulate on the usually time table they can really help you find out when you do! We were pregnant with both our children on our first time trying because I could tell when I was ovulating. We were very blessed. Good Luck to you!

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J.I.

answers from Chicago on

It's been a few years since I used them, but I did find that the Target generic brand worked better than the name brand. On a few separate occasions / different boxes, I'd pee on the name brand, and get a blank response - so it didn't register yes or no at all. That's very frustrating when you've just wasted all your morning pee, and each stick is so expensive. I never had that problem with the Target ones. That was just my experience with them. Good luck!

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S.K.

answers from Chicago on

I'm a big fan of ovulation kits but many of the store bought ones can be difficult to read. I used the clearblue easy fertility monitor which is a computer that tracks both the estrogen elevation and LH surge. This will give you a far more accurate idea of your personal fertility window. The monitor is expensive and test sticks are sold separately but I absolutely loved the technology! Good luck!

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M.V.

answers from Chicago on

I would recommend tracking your fertility using a natural family planning method such as the Creighton Model. Not only do these methods let you know exactly when you are ovulating, they help you track your reproductive health. These methods are very affordable and can help even in some cases of infertility with less invasive methods. You can use them on a permanant basis to avoid and achieve pregnancy and keep track of your reproductive health throughout your life. These methods have worked for myself and friends and family. Good luck!

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E.M.

answers from Chicago on

I used a kit and got pregnant on the first try!

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B.B.

answers from Chicago on

I used Clear Blue Easy Ovulation Kit after I couldn't get pregnant for 4 months. Not saying that the kit did it all, but I got a positive result using the ovulation kit and am now 5 weeks pregnant. Through the kit, I knew exactly the day I was ovulating. Clear Blue Easy was simple to use, too. You get a smiley face when you are ovulating and don't have to deal with lines and trying to figure out positives and negatives. My kit also came with a digital pregnancy test, which was very easy to use. The only draw back is the ovulation kits will run you at least $30.

BCD

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B.M.

answers from Chicago on

Hi S.,
I keep pretty good track of my cycles and pretty much knew when I thought I was ovulating, but used the opk to just see if I was right. I used the testers from babyhopes.com. They are one of the least expensive tests that I found.

They were easy to use. Pay attention to your body though, that's the best predictor and then use the test strips 2nd!

Good Luck with #2!
B.

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L.O.

answers from Chicago on

Hi S.. I have a 22 month old son and I used an ovulation kit to help conceive him. I was off the pill for the recommended 3 months and then I used an ovulation kit and conceived that cycle. I have recommended that to my friends and they have been successful too! Good Luck! L.

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R.K.

answers from Chicago on

I loved using the ovulation tests. I truly don't think I would have my son now if I hadn't. I had very irregular cycles and tended to ovulate much later than day 14 in my cycle. I would never have known if my doctor's office didn't suggest I start using the ovulation predictors.
I found mine at early-pregnancy-tests.com

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T.M.

answers from Chicago on

I also have a son named Brady! He is 7 months old and also adorable!!! I am a firm believer in the ovulation tests. We used them twice and both times got pregnant the first month. I don't remember what brand we used but we just bought it at the drugstore. Good luck!!

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