First time using OPK ... Positive for 3 days?!

browneyes_326

Ok I just into'ed myself and I already have an IMO question:

I have never used OPKs before so I bought the cheap one and now I'm wondering how accurate it is ...

CD11 showed the first positive. Then CD12 & CD13 also positive.
This seems not right... Anyhow it's now CD16 and I am just totally confused as to when I actually ovulated! (Assuming for arguments sake that I actually did ovulate)

Now I think I understand the charting your temp thing and may give that a try.

meredithcarole

Most OPKs say the line has to be darker than the control to be positive. Is it possible you were just seeing 2 lines but not comparing strength to see if it was "really" positive?

crankstergangster

I've never understood the whole "positives for days in a row" phenom either.  My RE told me to take the first one as positive.  But yes, charting temps will you give you a clearer picture for sure.

When you say you bought the cheap one, which brand are you referring to?  I'm such an obsessive crazy person, I'm currently using 3 brands and testing about 3 times a day.  So far (fingers crossed), they have all had the same results.  I know a lot of women use wondfo's (internet cheapies), and they seem pretty reliable. 

lcwed

When I was using Wondfos I had 2 days of light lines and only 1 day where the line was the same as the control.  Mine didn't get progressively darker.  They all stayed the same until the day it was darker.

browneyes_326

So @meredithcarole Yes! I actually think CD 11 was almost but not quite now that you say 'darker' than control line ... CD12 was most def darker ... That helps!

And @crankstergangster‌ - CVS pharmacy brand ... They prob even have multiple versions LOL.

Also, is it correct to assume ovulation should take place 12-36 hrs after first OPK+?

THANKS!!

crankstergangster

Each brand is different.  I think most of them have instructions that say things like "you should O 24-48 hours after positive OPK".  But they can vary from brand to brand.  So I'd just check the instructions.  And it's different for every woman.  Based on my chart, I O the day after I get pos OPK.  But some women take longer.  I wish I had THE answer for you!

I think the only two I've seen have been 24-48 hours or 24-36 hours....

browneyes_326

This is all very interesting to me! Thanks for all the input ladies! We've just been guessing O day as CD14 and going at it blindly so this is a whole new experience for me!

crankstergangster

One more question then....how long are your cycles?  If they are 28 days, then yes, around day 14 should be fair.  But if you're cycles are shorter or longer, then you don't O on/around day 14.  I hope I'm not telling you info you already know:

Say your cycle length is 36 days.  Then 36 minus 14 will give you approx O day.  So, in that case you'd O around CD 22.  So DTD around day 14 won't cut it. 

I hope I'm not offending you with this info!  Just wanted to make sure.....

hooligans4

If the line is not as dark or darker than the control then it's still a negative.
But I will point out that does not guarantee that you ovulate, it simply picks up a LH surge. But if you get a positive have sex that say and the next few days if you can.
Good luck.

browneyes_326

@crankstergangster‌ No not at all! I actually wasn't sure how to calculate that! I actually think my cycles are 29/30 days ... Still close but then that would be O on CD15/16 I guess!

emsmama15

Just to throw a wrench in your guess, not everyone has a 14 day luteal phase. Since I had my baby, mine is 10 days. Ugh. So, my last cycle was 30 days, but I O'd on CD 20. Temping is definitely a good way to pinpoint if/when you ovulate.

crankstergangster

@browneyes_326 Yes, I'd say 14 is still in the realm of possibilities then.  And studies show that DTD the day before O and two days prior to O have highest, and about the same, conception rates.  So you need to DTD around 12-16  And like @hooligans4 said, pos OPK does not guarantee O.  It just shows that your body is gearing up to O.  But one thing I respectfully disagree on is her statement about "as dark or darker than the control line."  That all depends on the brand.  Some brands only have to be "similar to" the control line, not even as dark as.  Herein lies the ambiguity factor of OPK's that can be so frustrating!!  I know for sure that the Clear Blue OPK's with lines (vs the digital ones with the smiley faces), can just be similar to be considered positive.  Just read the instructions of the specific brand you're using, and follow them closely. 

URMySunshine77

Quick question: what time are you testing? Be sure not to use first morning urine (FMU). I would recommend testing at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. (or roundabout). FMU could skew the results too.

crankstergangster

Hahaha...another monkey wrench... some do actually say to use FMU.  And some say specifically not to.  While others say to test whenever the hell you feel like it.  Provided you haven't peed or drank too much water, etc.  Geez!  No wonder these things aren't that cut and dry!  Just follow the instructions carefully for the specific brand you are using.

Most do say not to use FMU though.  And in that case, I test around 10am and 7pm - similar to @URMySunshine77.

Oh, and this is gonna be great news.  I've had a RE tell me before, that even if you wait til your surge is detected, it may be too late.  So he doesn't put too much stock into them....it's a guideline.  Not gospel.

meredithcarole

Where as for me, I only get a second line if it really is positive. It might also be individual hormone differences among users as to whether or not

Heath&Jas said:

Just to throw a wrench in your guess, not everyone has a 14 day luteal phase. Since I had my baby, mine is 10 days. Ugh. So, my last cycle was 30 days, but I O'd on CD 20. Temping is definitely a good way to pinpoint if/when you ovulate.

This is very true. Before my loss I was a 28 day cycle and an O on 14. I got a + OPK late last night (so essentially CD15) which means I am possibly Oing on CD17 now. Last month my cycle also decided to be 26 days which hopefully is not a new trend (as that would not quite give me 10 days LP).

kelley72

All of you ladies have just proven why I don't use OPK's anymore... multiple surges, not ovulating at 14 days, etc... I temp and check cp, cf and find it to be as accurate for identifying ovulation and then of course temp verifies...  I was going bonkers trying to determine the darkest of the dark/matching control lines.

I know a lot of women do like using them, but even when determining the surge ovulation varies time wise between 12-72 hours AFter the surge.... = crazy thinking Kelley.

Best wishes all!

Davie813

Also, they're only safe to eat in months with an "r" in them--something to do with algae, I think--and I've heard that if you sleep with one under your pillow, you'll dream about your future husband!

Now, is everything clear?

browneyes_326

Oooooh boy! So basically using a OPK is the same as just guessing! ... Lol I'm joking but if we go by my first possible surge and my absolutely positive surge ... Annnnd we go by the idea that you can then O anywhere from 12-72hrs after ...
Well then I could have O'd anytime from Friday night to Tuesday morning ... Oh and let's throw in what @crankstergangster‌ RE told her and so maybe it happened as early as Thursday ... So that's a 6 day window ... *sigh*

So am being somewhat silly here! But it is no wonder that even if you O every month and you have no issues delaying conception, that it's still just not that easy!!

lgsdesigner

I used to get 4 positives in a row. The rule of thumb-- when in doubt, hump it out!

My first positive was usually lighter, then would get dark in the middle, then the last was light. Completely normal.