OPK Users - Testing frequency?

bumpuser331626

When do you test?

The instructions that came with my OPKs said to begin testing the last day of my period (or 3 days after the last day for women with cycles longer than 35 days), and to test with FMU. Of course, the general consensus of internet experts is to test 2x/day with SMU and mid-afternoon. To cover all my bases, I've been testing 2-3 times a day, always SMU and mid-after and sometimes FMU, too. 

On Sat PM and Sun AM, I got pretty dark test lines. They weren't super-dark solid lines, but definitely far darker than any of the other lines I've gotten. And, as far as I could tell for a first-timer, they seemed as dark as the control line. But my temps never rose, and now I'm having EWCM. I'm pretty sure I'm getting ready to O in the next couple of days. I'm still testing to see if I can detect an LH surge, but my tests are super light or stark white. I wouldn't think it'd be possible to get a +OPK 3+ days before O.

So...successful OPK users who have confirmed O with BBT...what has been the most successful testing method for you?

bumpuser331626

I bought the store brand from CVS before this cycle started, because I wanted to make the most of our first cycle. (We're only going to try for a limited time.) I'm planning to use the Wondfo brand next cycle.

bracingourselves

I start using OPK's when there's a change in my cm (CD 9 or later, usually). I only tested twice in a day last cycle because I felt some ovulation pain late in the evening, but I still would have caught the surge at 1x testing consistently at 2 pm.

Tl;dr I let symptoms dictate how often to test.

KatzKiss

I agree that you should use Wondfos at least while you're figuring out your cycle. I usually start on CD9. Once I notice that they're getting darker, I test twice a day until I get a positive. As long as the test line is darker or as dark, it doesn't matter if they are both light. That just has to do with the dilution of your urine. If your not positive about the ones you've taken, then keep testing. Don't waste your tests on FMU. In fact I find, the later the better. You might want to try temping vaginally if your not already. Oral temping can give some people innacurate temps and you might miss a rise. Good luck!

Remylove1011

I usually do twice per day starting on CD10 until I confirm O with temps. I've O'd anywhere from CD14-18. I use SMU and on in early evening when I get home from work. 

bumpuser331626

Great info! Thank you everyone!!

cluckster

ditto for the 2 previous posters.  i drink a ton of fluids all day long and have only ever gotten my positive OPKs with FMU. but i know many people on here do get their positives at night. it takes a couple months to kind of get your pattern down and know what works for you.

bumpuser331626

Ah! The drinking water thing makes a lot of sense. I drink water all day long. But I believe I've read that the water drinking affects the test *and* control lines. I think the reading lies in the comparison of the two lines, right?

At least, with my strips, the control line isn't consistent. It's very dark with FMU and gets lighter throughout the day, in correlation with the dilution of my urine. But the test line stays even lighter than the control line.

bumpuser331626

Update for the good Bumpies who search for their questions before posting:

I got my first actual positive OPK two days ago, on CD15. The two "positives" that I got on CD7 and CD8 were not true positives. While they were similar in shade to the control lines, they were not clearly as dark as the line. When I got my first actual positive, I felt quite silly for wishfully thinking the test on CD7 and CD8 were positives. 

My positive was very clear...undeniable after several days of stark white or barely-there test lines. I continued to turn + OPKs for two days after my initial positive strip, finally seeing a fade in the darkness of the test line this evening. I had a temp rise today, and, if I continue to have higher temps for two more days, then it's highly probable that I O'd yesterday, right in the middle of my +OPKs.

With that said, I used the CVS and Walgreens store brand OPKs that come in batches of 20 strips/tube. I have read that these brands seem to be more sensitive than other brands and will give you a + result after a slight increase in LH (~20+ units), as opposed to only giving you a + after a large surge (~40+ units). I believe this contributed to my 60 straight hours of truly positive OPKs on CD15/16/17.

It's a matter of opinion; however, I think it might be best to start out with the more sensitive OPKs (as opposed to the popular Wondfos) to give you the most warning before possible ovulation. Just be sure to keep HIO at least EOD until O is confirmed by a temp rise. Once you've had a few cycles and you have a clearer idea of when you typically O, then you could move to the Wondfos and carefully plan your testing times to give you the best chance to catch your LH surge.

Good luck all! Hope this helps someone out in the future!

onehottmama69

I haven't used them yet but I think I might for this cycle. Your pup is cute ladynymeria!!!

DorkyMama

Thanks, @MLG010105, for posting this question. I know I'm late to the game, but I just got my OPKs from Wondofo in the mail on Sunday and tested once Sunday, twice Monday, twice yesterday, and once this morning. I always do my AM test with FMU at 6am. So far, they have been negative, although this morning looked much darker than the previous days' tests.

It's definitely confusing for me because I always got what I considered "ovulation pains" around CD14-15 (I have a 31-day cycle) but I started feeling these faint cramps two days ago and yesterday (CD's 13 & 14) as well as this morning (CD15). So now I"m like "Huh, I guess I don't know myself as much as I thought!"

OPKs are really interesting, but I was just kind of guessing as to how often to test, what it means, etc. So, again, thanks for asking the question and thanks to everyone for answering! Lots to learn!