General cycle confusion -- can you get a false OPK+??

almostjennifer

For the last few months, I have had spotting for 7-9 days before I get red flow.  I've been using the first day of red flow as CD 1 and so far all BFNs.  This cycle I'm using an OPK.  I got an OPK+ two hours ago (CD5 according to when I got red flow) but OPK- a few minutes ago. 

So:

1. Could the light spotting I've been getting actually be my real period?

2.  Is it possible to get a false OPK + (it was FMU with very little to drink for 12 hours prior).  It seems weird that it would be negative two hours later....

If you followed all of that, you are awesome. 

Country Girl in the City

Your body can gear up to O but then not O giving you a positive OPK but no O.  If you are using ICs it is also possible that it is really not positive yet.  Are you temping so that you know when you usually O?

almostjennifer

Not temping or using ICs.

MrsNukem

I'm not sure about the spotting.  But for the OPK, if you only waited 2 hours between taking the first OPK test (with FMU) and the second OPK test, it is possible your urine is now too diluted to register a positve again on the OPK.  I think you have to hold your urine for 4-5 hours to test again.  Some people say to not use FMU on OPK's and test in the afternoon, but FMU is the only time I've ever been able to get a positive test.  GL!

almostjennifer

MrsNukem:

I'm not sure about the spotting.  But for the OPK, if you only waited 2 hours between taking the first OPK test (with FMU) and the second OPK test, it is possible your urine is now too diluted to register a positve again on the OPK.  I think you have to hold your urine for 4-5 hours to test again.  Some people say to not use FMU on OPK's and test in the afternoon, but FMU is the only time I've ever been able to get a positive test.  GL!

Yup.  I was so wound up about getting a OPK+ this morning I forgot about the 4 hour rule.  I'm just thinking it is so weird to get a OPK+ on CD 5...

BBN2012

I got a + OPK during a cycle when my potential IUI was cancelled because I was not ovulating. This was proved by severl u/s and b/w. You should see your RE if you want to be sure you are ovulating.

kat1221

MrsNukem:

I'm not sure about the spotting.  But for the OPK, if you only waited 2 hours between taking the first OPK test (with FMU) and the second OPK test, it is possible your urine is now too diluted to register a positve again on the OPK.  I think you have to hold your urine for 4-5 hours to test again.  Some people say to not use FMU on OPK's and test in the afternoon, but FMU is the only time I've ever been able to get a positive test.  GL!

 

This!  I tend to only catch my + with FMU.  I drink a ton of water and no way I can hold my pee for 4-5 hours.

Adi

(ticker warning)

generally speaking... since OPK's only register the amount of LH, No... there's no such thing as a false +, but an OPK does not guarantee that you will ovulate. There are only two ways to know for sure that you did, by charting BBT, or by u/s. Even bloodwork isn't 100% certain. I have a friend who's doc's office told her she didn't O because her progesterone was too low, but her BBT charts said she did, and she got a BFP. The nurse gave her a LOT of attitude and refused to listen to her when she said her BBT said she did too... oh to be a fly on that wall when she called for a confirmation and beta!

NewMrs07

I usually didn't get a positive OPK result until after 4pm, which is when I always tested. FMU never gave me a good reading.