Shorter cycle, use OPK?

[mandyp85]

Hi ladies. I usually have a regular 28 day cycle but this month i got to cd21 and started to have a little bleeding, I thought maybe it could be implantation bleeding but it's at full flow now so I'm assuming it's AF (I have some nausea and tiredness but hpt come back as negative) so my question is I have decided it might be a good idea to invest in some opks to pinpoint o but I'm not sure what day to start testing from? Do I test from 6 days based on the shorter cycle I had this month? I would just bd every 4 days but I'm not sure we could manage this. Dh is very run down and stressed at the moment with work so I'm just not sure he will have the energy to do it every 4 days. Thanks :-)

[atomic sagebrush]

How often CAN he do it?? Every 5 days? 6?

My concern is what happens if the OPK don't work for you either? This happens sometimes when cycles start getting weird.

If you get some, get the Wondfo ones and start testing on CD 8.

[mandyp85]

Well put it this way we have only managed to dtd twice in just over 2 weeks but I haven't been very well either so maybe it's just been one of those months. I may just see if he can manage every 4 days but if I find he can't then ill resort to using the opks, it's not that he physically can't do it it's just finding the energy for it, fingers crossed he has a few easier weeks in work. If the opks don't work what else can I do? is it likely to be the diet that's affecting my cycles?

[atomic sagebrush]

It can be, can you tell me about what you're eating?

I would aim for every 5 days if you can, every 6 days if you can - the goal is to be having attempt regularly because no sex = no baby!

[mandyp85]

I tend to have the same things most days, ill have toast or crumpets with sugar free marmalade or hummus, low fat crisps, low fat biscuits/chocolate, a low fat yoghurt and some crackers for lunch and then for tea I will usually have rice/cous cous/packet noodles with veg/salad, will sometimes add a jacket potato depending on how hungry I am then ill just have a biscuit for pudding, will have a coffee with both of my meals. My fat and protein usually come in at 40 and cals usually around 1500. I would just like to get pg now so I will be sure to be attempting at least every 5 days if we can't manage every 4 days.

[maidentomother]

Your diet sounds great for pink! Often there are cycle changes the first couple months on the diet. If you can afford it and it's not a hassle, I suggest testing daily with OPKs for a cycle or two. Just once daily until you get close to positive; LH levels peak between 11am and 4 pm for most women, though you can test every 4 hours the first day or two and confirm what time of day gives you the darkest lines (using roughly the same colour/concentration urine).

Wondfo OPKs (from Formosa Medical seller on Amazon, other sellers may send fakes) are by far the best. I agree generally starting testing on CD8 is good, but if you see fertile CM or your cervix feels fertile, basically any indication of impending O earlier, test then. Same if you see signs of fertility AFTER you think you've Oed, as you can surge without actually Oing.

[mandyp85]

Your diet sounds great for pink! Often there are cycle changes the first couple months on the diet. If you can afford it and it's not a hassle, I suggest testing daily with OPKs for a cycle or two. Just once daily until you get close to positive; LH levels peak between 11am and 4 pm for most women, though you can test every 4 hours the first day or two and confirm what time of day gives you the darkest lines (using roughly the same colour/concentration urine).

Wondfo OPKs (from Formosa Medical seller on Amazon, other sellers may send fakes) are by far the best. I agree generally starting testing on CD8 is good, but if you see fertile CM or your cervix feels fertile, basically any indication of impending O earlier, test then. Same if you see signs of fertility AFTER you think you've Oed, as you can surge without actually Oing.

Thank you, I know I'm doing the diet right but having someone actually saying it reassures me no end :-) I have ordered some opks so I will start testing when they arrive :-) I have been on the diet since Jan and my cycles has remained the same 28 days that's why I was so thrown this month when I had just a 21 day cycle, is it right that weird cycles can help with a pink sway? for the first two days shall I start testing from 11am? Every 4 hours? Am I right in thinking that you shouldn't test first thing in the morning? Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated :-)

[atomic sagebrush]

Yes, we do seem to see odd cycles with pink sways but we don't know if it's cause/effect or just coincidence.

Follow the directions that come with your OPK as some brands are diffferent.

[mandyp85]

Thank you atomic I will do that :-) thanks for the advice, i appreciate it.

[maidentomother]

The first 1-2 days test every 4 hours starting with the 2nd time you need to pee, whatever time that is. And see what time of day gives you the darkest line, then you only need to test once daily at that time, though some women test more often once you get close to positive. These instructions apply only to Wondfo/cheap OPK strips. Some ClearBlue OPKs/monitors advise you to test with FMU.