OPKs

MaudieMoll

Okay, I've been doing BBT and charting CM, but this is the first month that I've religiously used OPKs (I'm using dollar store brand). Do you veterans mostly find that the tests line gets gradually darker as you get closer to ovulation or is there nothing and then BAM! a positive OPK? TIA for the knowledge!

Gizmo36

I usually do not have a fade-in pattern.  This month, I went from barely a visible line to very positive 24 hours later.  

PinkRoses53

I've had both happen.  I wish I always had the fade in!  At least it gives me hope that something is happening (I have irregular cycles)

littlewest1

Mine generally go from white to a gradual fade to dark within a few days.

delujm0

Last month, i faded in over about 3 days, and then went directly back to a squinter 24 hours after my first positive test.  I will always have at least a squinter line.  i guess my base levels of LH are high enough that i never get an actual stark white OPK.

 

Stark white HPTs are another thing entirely.  I get those all the time.  Sigh.

 

Last month i also strated using the OPKs too early i think and i caught a mini-surge on CD12-13...so i briefly faded in until i was ALMOST positive, but it never actually got positive.  I actually O'ed the day that i received my first positive reading (CD19).

LittleMrsW

I usually go from close to positive, to a positive the next day.

MaudieMoll

I just bought a crap-ton of Wondfos off Amazon. We'll see how those treat me. Thanks, ladies! 

Wine&Cupcakes

I fade in darker, but quickly. I also always have a control line no matter where I am in my cycle, which not everyone has!

crossfit704

Mine faded in this month (first using it)….I thought it was getting close so I tested in the AM and PM for a few days.  I got a positive in the PM then went back to a fade the next day then nothing.  

delujm0

crossfit704 .  If it's your first month using them, it's wise to test twice a day, 12 hours apart if you can, until you get an idea of what the best time of day is for you to catch your surge.  I found that SMU was best for me (which for me is around 7am).  So this month, i'm going to just test once a day at 7am, and then when i start getting to the "almost positive" stage, i'll add in a 7pm test until i can confirm O.  The best time to test varies widely by person...but usually any time of day when you are very very well hydrated isn't the best time to test (for me that is directly when i get home from work, so i don't test then).

yogiveg

This cycle my OPKs gradually got darker until I got a glaringly obvious positive, then gradually got lighter.

MaudieMoll

So much good info! Thanks!

SwivelChair5

@cstuart07 that is what my 2 opks looked like yesterday.  I recorded them as positive, but I really wasn't sure.  This is my first month using opks, I didn't realize there would be any guesswork in interpreting them.  

larsonbussman

I have a mini notebook that I place the CD# and then tape my OPK strip down.  This way I can watch the changes in the strips better then just looking  

FJM85

I generally have a fade in pattern.