Would a stimulated cycle be better than ovulation kits?
The best and most accurate would be to chart your fertility so that you can be *sure* you are ovulating when you think you are. Clomid–which is usually used first to stimulate ovulation–has side effects that can make you infertile. The two problems are that it can change your cervical fluid to one that will not keep the sperm alive until ovulation, and that it can cause a short luteal phase. If this occurs, fertilization can occur, but there’s no time for the fertilized egg to reach the uterus to start implanting before your next period starts. An ovulation kit can be *wrong*. It doesn’t detect ovulation–it detects the surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) that *precedes* ovulation. Sometimes, a woman will have an LH surge, then her body will “change its mind” and not ovulate. Another LH surge may or may not follow a few days–or even weeks–later. Chart instead. It’s a better alternative to either one. For details, read _Taking Charge of Your Fertility_ by Toni Weschler.