Last cycle I purchased a brand new FM & test sticks but then I read that they work best for cycles under 42 days long. Mine have tended to be a bit longer & I never know when or if I will O. So my question is this: Would it be okay to wait a week & then input my AF? Has anybody with long cycles ever done this & did it work? I am afraid if I don't wait a while before & input AF that the FM will just give up on my cycle after so long. any advice would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

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TTC#4 since August 2005

You should be fine....you will probably end up using more of the sticks (which can get expensive) HTH gl!

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oops... sorry I forgot to mention that I would wait maybe 1-2 weeks if you aren't taking a fertility drug

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Thanks!

No I'm not taking any fertility drugs right now. I was on Clomid before but my last cycle & this one I am only on Metformin. I know the tests are expensive that is why I would like to wait a bit before I start using the monitor. I just hope waiting & putting AF in later doesn't mess things up.

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TTC#4 since August 2005

I'd probably put af within the 5 day window. Then I wouldn't feed it sticks until later in the cycle. For example, feed it when you start getting ewcm. If you know your cycle is about 42 days, you could probably guestimate when O could be occurring and feed it then. Take 17-18 days off that and start using the sticks. The first few cycles I used it, I used opks as well. That's something to consider although it can get expensive.

I let my fm sit for about 2 years and then started using it again. I was able to detect O. I expected it to read an insane amount of days when I first turned it on, but it said 96 or something close to that. That tells me it stops counting, which is probably why for long cycles it doesn't work. I'm not sure what they mean by long cycles. KWIM?

I suggest setting it in the 5 day window because it will learn your cycles. If you set it a week or so later, it'll go by that supposedly. That's fine if you always want to set it that late, but I think it'd be a pain to remember.

Good luck.

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Thanks Nancy!

My cycles are on average 45 days or so. I didn't know it was okay to skip the sticks if it asked. Maybe that would work better. Have you ever dealt woth cycles over the recommended 42 days long like stated in the instructions? Does the FM still continue to work or has anybody had it just give up?

Thanks!

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TTC#4 since August 2005

Nope, you don't have to feed it when it asks. Your first cycle will just be an experiment. I've used it with my clomid cycles and now I have natural cycles which are less than 33 days. I've never used it on a longer cycle.

I'm a stick watcher though. I like to see how the estrogen and lh lines change. I would assume you could use a stick, skip several days, use another stick etc. It'd be registering your info at least. You'll see the sticks change though!

I could always tell on my anovulatory clomid cycles just by watching the lines. They didn't change and along with charting I was able to predict what an u/s would confirm.

I didn't trust my fm for probably at least 2 cycles if not 3. I love the sticks though and use them like opks even if I don't use the fm. They are cheaper than store bought opks.

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