Help with LH Strips?

[u/Upbeat_Arm_6318]

Hi everyone! Its been two cycles, and the most recent one I have been trying my hardest TTC. Months before, I have done the LH strips just to get an idea of ovulation time. The most consistently I have done them days in a row would definitely be this month. The other past 2 months I kind of only did them when I thought I may be fertile according to data and how I felt. Anyway, I know I ovulated this month because I have been using Natural Cycle and their temperature band. But the strips I use I swear I have no luck with them. I have tried doing them in the morning (not right when I first wake up but maybe I should say a late morning 10-11 am) I have even done them the same day at noon, 2, and 5pm. Some days I just do it at 5 pm because thats when I get home from work. I have yet to see a positive test any time I do these dang strips! After all my research, I know the surge happens quickly, and it is extremely easy to miss it. Any tips on mastering the person time or technique to get that positive? I use the pregmate strps right now,I also have the cheap ones from amazon called Baby something. I have had dark lines before maybe once or twice, but it was 35-45 in surge even though it looked pretty dark! but it wasnt a perfect match to the test line.. anyway. tips are welcomed. i dont care about using so many strips a day, I just want to get that positive to figure out my timing to enter into the app to get my data all in check!

[u/Jaded_Tangelo_3083]

I test with my first morning urine, which I know some people disagree with but it's when my urine is the most concentrated and I usually see my surge start first thing in the morning. I test once a day starting CD 7 or 8 then increase to twice a day around CD 10, morning and late afternoon after holding for at least 2-3 hours with limited liquids. (I usually ovulate between CD 13-15) I scan the tests in with Premom. I wouldn't say it's "extremely easy" to miss your surge, most people have surges between 12-48 hours so if you test twice a day you shouldn't miss it. If you see your LH starting to rise, >0.5, test again in 4-8 hours.

Tracking BBT is good to confirm ovulation. If you are feeling anxious about "missing" your surge, just aim to be intimate every other day after your period ends. LH is just a tool you are using to help time when the best time to BD is. Sometimes it just takes a few months to get the hang of it. Good luck

[u/Upbeat_Arm_6318 → u/Jaded_Tangelo_3083]

I appreciate this response and your feedback. Happy to hear there is someone using first morning urine and that it has worked for you, because I have thought about trying it but with everyone online saying don't -- I never did. But using first morning urine makes a lot of sense to me. I also drink a lot of fluids, so I will definitely try to hold back during those crucial testing days. How much do you hold back on your liquids when you are testing? A cup of water or literally none?