Am I not ovulating?

Hi everyone-

I'm new to LIFamilies, although I have been using it to answer some of my questions over the last few months. I'm writing because I'm not sure if my situation means anything at this point, or if I just need to give things more time.

I went off birth control in January after being on it for about ten years. DH and I decided not to try for a few months but we also didn't do anything to prevent pregnancy. I began tracking my cycles and have been having cycles ranging from 26-28 days. Beginning last month, I used an OPK because we wanted to start officially trying. The markers were light but on day 12, it got a little darker, but still negative. I tested from cd 9 to cd 14 and never got a positive reading. I wasn't sure if that slightly darker line meant anything so I decided to try the clear blue easy OPK this month so there didn't have to be so much guessing. S as the directions said, I began testing on cd 6 and I am now on cd 14 and still have not gotten my smiley face. Again on cd 12, the line got slightly darker but then went back to light. I thought I would have ovulated by now since I have a relatively short cycle. Do the slightly darker lines mean anything or is it only meaningful when its as dark as the test line?

Now I'm not sure if its possible that I'm still to ovulating from being on birth control for so long? Or is it possible something is preventing ovulation? Or could I still get a smiley face?

I know it's so early but I just want to be proactive. I don't know if at this point I should worry that something is wrong. Has anyone ever had a similar experience? Or if anyone can please shed some light on my situation, it would be so very appreciated. Thank you everyone - sorry so long!

Message edited 5/18/2013 8:44:47 AM.

Re: Am I not ovulating?

My OB told me that Birth Control prevents pregnancy while you are taking it but does not affect you once off. I'd give it another try next month but it doesn't hurt to contact your OB now and ask. I'm first stopping my pill next Sunday so I don't know any of this from my own experience.

Re: Am I not ovulating?

The lines have to be exactly the same color. If one is lighter, it's not a positive.

Are you keeping track of your CM when you think you should be ovulating?

Call your OB. It's an easy blood test to see if you are ovulating.
They will send you for Cycle Day 3 testing to check your FSH and then Cycle Day 21 testing to check if you ovulated.

Re: Am I not ovulating?

Is it possible that you are ovulating later than cd14? Maybe keep testing for a couple more days. Also, to confirm ovulation perhaps you should think about starting to temp. It cannot predict ovulation but it can confirm whether or not you are ovulating.

Re: Am I not ovulating?

Phyllisnjoe-

I haven't really been checking my cm but on day 12 this cycle, it was clear and stretchy. I thought I might be ovulating soon bc of that but I didn't get the positive.

Kiki-

I guess it's possible that I ovulate later. I'm going to continue testing for a few more days. I'm just afraid if I ovulate too late on a short cycle that the luteal phase will be too short...and I guess that would be a different problem.

Is it too soon to call my doctor about this? I don't want to overreact....

Re: Am I not ovulating?

It's never too soon to call and make an appointment.
Like I said it's a simple blood test to check for ovulation. No reason to stress out wondering if you're ovulating and second guessing yourself or waste time TTC without ovulating ya know?

Am I not ovulating?

Temp. That's is the only true way outside of bloodwork to know.

Am I not ovulating?

if you have 26-28 day cycles you should be ovulating around Cd13-18. i would test through that time period before assuming theres an issue.

and to the above poster - BCP ABSOLUTELY effects your fertility after you are off of it. it can def take a few cycles to regulate. most of the time you go back to whatever your cycle was prior to taking BCP, but that doesn't always happen automatically; sometimes it takes several cycles.

Re: Am I not ovulating?

Sometimes using the line tests can be difficult. You might want to try using the smiley tests for a couple of months. They are expensive but easier to determine. Also you might want to try using FMU if you aren't already so you can be sure you have a good sample.

If need be, you might want to start tracking your temperature because the OPK aren't foolproof.

Message edited 5/18/2013 9:34:17 PM.

Am I not ovulating?

When we decided to try for our first, I too had been on the pill for ten years. It took us 9 months to conceive. Each person is different. Most doctors wont do anything for you till you've been trying for a year. They look at it as it can take up to a year for a healthy couple to conceive. Hope this kinda helps.

Re: Am I not ovulating?

I agree with trying the smiley tests. Also, there's a possibility that you're O'ing later and you just have a shorter LP. Try temping next cycle.

Re: Am I not ovulating?

I didn't get a positive ovulation kit until day 18. I got pregnant that month.

Re: Am I not ovulating?

I think u may want to keep testing with clear blue until u get the smiley.

Re: Am I not ovulating?

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your insight and suggestions. I did use the Clear Blue Easy Digital OPK's this month with the smileys - but they never came up positive. I'm going to be temping with my next cycle and will continue using the CBED OPK's. Hopefully the temping will give me some much needed information so that I at least know I'm ovulating. If next month is still confusing, I'll probably reach out to the doctor. Thanks again everyone! Baby Dust to all!!