u/DawgCheck2495

I’ve been using OPKs for over a year and have a (usually) very predictable LH surge. I recently added BBT via TempDrop to my arsenal of tools, but I’m having a hard time interpreting the data.

In your experience, how does temperature shift relate to OPK peak? Which one do you rely on most to accurately determine ovulation? (Is it that LH predicts when it’s coming and temp determines whether it’s occurred?)

Regarding TempDrop: How many cycles did it take for a meaningful pattern to emerge? Right now, it looks like I had a temp spike days before ovulation, then a significant drop, now a gradual rise (too early to tell if it’s sustained/continuing to trend upward).

Just trying to make heads or tails of everything 🥴

Any insight is helpful and appreciated.

Anyone dealt with mid-luteal spotting and it not be an issue? It doesn’t happen every cycle, but I’m currently spotting light brown (over the course of a few days, started as beige, then a touch of light pink, then rust fading back to beige). Very light, only when wiping or if I’m looking for it.

Currently CD 23 of a 27-day cycle. Didn’t have OPKs available as I was on vacation, but assuming I ovulated around CD 14, give or take. Pdg positive at 7 DPO.

This has happened in maybe one or two cycles in the past 18 months, and I — of course — have only gotten BFNs when I see it. In your experience, is this normal cycle variation or something to investigate? Trying to be … neutral. Not hopeful. Not worried. Just here.

I (32) and DH (33) have been actively TTC for 6 cycles. I discontinued OBC in December 2024. Since then, my cycles have been regular, but my periods were very, very scant. Beginning in March 2026, my flow has increased noticeably but would still be considered light. Beginning in July 2026, I noticed EWCM for the very first time. I experienced it again this month.

The problem is that I haven’t had OPKs available during either cycle as I’ve been traveling. In your experience, how does EWCM relate to ovulation? A few days before? Day of?

For insight, I have no reason to believe I’m not ovulating: I experience a predictable LH surge, mittelschmerz, a rise in pdg, 27/28 day cycles with an 11 day luteal phase

The waiting in this process is enough to drive anyone crazy — especially when it seems like there’s something new or different to look into every other month 😅

I (32) and DH (33) have been actively TTC for 6 cycles. I discontinued OBC in December 2024. Since then, my cycles have been regular, but my periods were very, very scant. Beginning in March 2026, my flow has increased noticeably but would still be considered light. Beginning in July 2026, I noticed EWCM for the very first time. I experienced it again this month.

The problem is that I haven’t had OPKs available during either cycle as I’ve been traveling. In your experience, how does EWCM relate to ovulation? A few days before? Day of?

For insight, I have no reason to believe I’m not ovulating: I experience a predictable LH surge, mittelschmerz, a rise in pdg, 27/28 day cycles with an 11 day luteal phase

The waiting in this process is enough to drive anyone crazy — especially when it seems like there’s something new or different to look into every other month 😅

I (32) and DH (33) are TTC. I spent 15 years on oral birth control and discontinued it about 18 months ago. Since then, my cycles have been regular, generally 26/27 days, but my periods are light (especially compared to my withdrawal bleed on the pill).

Initially, I’d have 2-4 days of minimal dark brown spotting. Over the past several months, I routinely have some amount of bright, fresh blood as well as thicker, darker clots — but my flow only requires a panty liner or light tampon, and still only lasts about three days. Without having natural cycles for so long, it’s hard to tell what’s “normal” for me vs. being a red flag for fertility.

I have been tracking ovulation and have a very predictable LH surge on OPKs, routinely experience mittelschmerz pain and have tracked positive pdg 3-7 days past ovulation. During my last cycle, I experienced true EWCM for the first time. Is it possible that anovulatory cycles are still occurring despite all these positive indicators?

Of course I also have concerns about uterine lining, egg reserves, sperm health and anything else that we on this journey fear may be prohibiting that first BFP, but I’m looking for insight on others experience with scant periods and fertility.

Full disclosure: I also realize that it could just be a matter of time. The waiting is hard. The hoping is hard. The disappointment and trying again is hard.

TL;DR: I’m trying not to feel resentful as I cut down on caffeine, focus on whole foods, exercise (work in progress), track cycles, log tests — while it feels like DH is giving minimal effort

We’ve been TTC for 5 cycles (with some intermittent “if it happens, it happens” cycles before that) — so I know we are relatively early in this process BUT

My husband unfortunately let his health slip pretty significantly over the past two years due to being unhappy at work and self-medicating with food and alcohol. Plus, at 33, his family history is coming to roost, although it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy to some degree.

Anyway, he’s trying. He’s been working on changing his habits and has lost 20 lbs. He also works about 60 hours a week making good money, has stopped drinking (or cut back 95%), and has agreed to join me in couple’s therapy to strengthen our marriage and learn more about communication, emotional regulation, handling conflict, etc. (I’m a big fan of therapy; I think it’s good for everyone in all seasons).

Alas, he’s still pretty overweight and his labs still show evidence of MASLD (fatty liver). He’s taking oral Wegovy, which has improved his glucose control, but I can’t get him to exercise or invest in really understanding proper nutrition. He knows the basics, but if he’s not doing the obviously bad things (fast food, junk food) then he feels like it’s “good enough”.

Am I asking for too much? Just being impatient? Letting the TTC stress/disappointment get to me? (As I write this, I’m 12dpo and staring at another negative test.)

UPDATE: Progress has stalled. Sitting at 269 (down from 289) and staying there. Thinking about switching to injections in case inconsistent dosing/bioavailability is the issue. I don’t feel like diet is the issue, could exercise more but already working 10-12 hour days

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After losing 6 lbs. in the first three months at lower doses (four weeks of 1.5mg, 4mg, 9mg), I’ve lost 9 lbs. in my first month on the 25mg. I’m going to refill for another month to see if the trend continues.

That being said, I’m getting tired of the daily dosing. Has anyone switched from the pill to the injection? How was your experience? Or vice versa — if you were on an injectable originally, how does the pill
compare? (I’m talking side effects, effectiveness in reducing food noise, total weight loss, etc.)

TL;DR: Is AST/ALT fluctuation common in MASLD? How concerned should we be with the rebounding liver values?

Background:

My husband is 33. In 2022, he was a healthy weight with normal labs. By January 2025, he went for a wellness visit after gaining substantial weight (too much fast food, too much alcohol, weighed 288 at 6’). We have been following his labs and making lifestyle changes ever since.

We follow a largely mediterranean diet.

He has continued to reduce alcohol intake by 90%, including total abstinence for approximately 12 weeks prior to his January 2026 bloodwork. He might have one beer a week, but more commonly goes weeks between imbibing.

He works a manual job (walking, standing, stairs) but struggles to find dedicated time for exercise. We do a rowing class intermittently and he does walk when he golfs. (He drinks NA beers, but they are low calorie/low carb with 20 calories and 2.6 grams of carbs.)

Labs drawn in January 2025, June 2025, January 2026 and June 2026:

AST: 62, 61, 18, 34
ALT: 147, 159, 52, 110
Platelets: 189, 210, 213, 216
Bilirubin: 0.9, 1, 0.5, 0.9
Albumin: 4.4, 4.6, 4.4, 4.6
Glucose: 106, 109, 106, 87
A1C: X, 5.1%, 5.2%, X
Triglycerides: 300, 100, 162, X
Cholesterol: 198, 160, 139, X
V-LDL: 60.2, 20.6, 32.4, X
LDL-C: 82, 82, 65, X
HDL: 56, 52, 42, X
Imaging: None

He started oral semaglutide (Wegovy) in February 2026. He recently titrated up to the therapeutic 25mg dose. He has lost 18 lbs. over the past year, with approximately 12 of those lbs. since starting the GLP1.

We realize his diet and alcohol intake aren’t “by-the-book” perfect, but he has come SUCH a long way and his lifestyle changes are sustainable. 

Currently working 12 hours a day in construction, which leaves little time and energy for exercise. How is everyone else squeezing in physical activity? What tips have you gotten to make quick sessions effective? By the time you factor in work, commute, cooking, eating, showering, sleeping and time to relax or connect with loved ones — all while being mindful of pill timing with meal timing — it’s feeling a little overwhelming.

Down 6 lbs. in three months. Titrating up to 25 mg next. Hoping for better results.