OPK Question-longish

GavinRonansMom · December 2012

I think I may be over thinking this and have totally confused myself. Prior to my loss I always assumed that between when I got my first positive OPK to my first negative was when I ovulated/egg release (I never charted prior to loss, just used OPKs)

My friend is telling me that the egg isn't actually released until the OPK turns negative which confused me since a few months ago I only had a positive on day 12 and that was also my O day.

So this month as the example, I had my first (confirmed by digital) +opk at 11pm last night at CD 11. It was positive still this morning, but I would expect to be negative by tonight. So according to my thought I would ovulate today, according to my friend my egg wouldn't release until tomorrow???

Plus I had a temp drop this morning, doesn't that happen when you egg releases (in theory)

For your time, a hottie with a great quote Stick out tongue

ball.and.chain · December 2012

You should theoretically have a +OPK 12-36 hours before you ovulate. I don't think the number of positive or negative days matters -- it's 12-36 hours from the surge, which is what a +OPK is showing.

GavinRonansMom · December 2012

ball.and.chain:
You should theoretically have a +OPK 12-36 hours before you ovulate. I don't think the number of positive or negative days matters -- it's 12-36 hours from the surge, which is what a +OPK is showing.

but I guess the question is then, when the OPK shows negative again does that mean you have already ovulated?

ball.and.chain · December 2012

GavinRonansMom:
ball.and.chain:
You should theoretically have a +OPK 12-36 hours before you ovulate. I don't think the number of positive or negative days matters -- it's 12-36 hours from the surge, which is what a +OPK is showing.
but I guess the question is then, when the OPK shows negative again does that mean you have already ovulated?

Maybe, maybe not. When you get a negative depends on how long your surge is, which I don't think necessarily has anything to do with when your egg actually drops. Some people have a longer surge than others, but ovulation doesn't necessarily correspond to the end of the surge. If you get a negative and it's been 36 or more hours, then you've probably ovulated. If you get a negative 12 hours after your first positive OPK, you might have ovulated or you might not have.

As others have said, the only way you can really tell when you ovulated and when is from your temps, and that's after the fact.

heather52904 · December 2012

From peeonastick.com:

21. Does ovulation occur while my test is positive, or will the OPK become negative again first? Ovulation occurs shortly after LH levels peak. However, there is no way to predict whether your OPK will still be showing a positive result during the actual moment of ovulation or whether your OPK will go back to negative first. Remember that it takes time for the hormones in your bloodstream (such as LH) to be metabolized into your urine. By the time your LH surge is reflected in your pee, it has already been peaking in your blood for a short while. Likewise, after your blood levels go down, it takes awhile for your pee levels to decrease.

Because of this "lag time" and the fact that you can't predict how long it will take your body to metabolize LH into and out of your urine, there is no way to know whether your egg follicle actually ruptured while your OPK was positive, or after the OPK became negative again.

GavinRonansMom · December 2012

I think I have just basically thought way too much about this ha! I guess I just wonder about timing or BDing and such.

buggirl72 · December 2012

Okay, this is what you need to do when you friend gives you advice:

But seriously, the PPs have pretty much covered that your surge can indicate that you are going to O within the next 12-36 hours or so. The problem is that a positive OPK is only showing that you are gearing up to O so a negative does not mean that you did - it just means you no longer have a LH surge. That's why you need to have your chart to confirm. Plus you are tracking your CM and cervical position so you have an excellent idea when you are gearing up to O.

Your timing is awesome. Sperm can live for up to five days so as long as you BD at least once during your FW you theoretically have a chance. You more than have that covered.

Now quit over thinking!

RunningGal900 · December 2012

I often ovulate the same day as a pos OPK. I will often get a pos at night, then a pos the next am, neg at night and then O the same day as the am pos. or sometimes I won't o until the next day

GavinRonansMom · December 2012

buggirl72:
Okay, this is what you need to do when you friend gives you advice:
But seriously, the PPs have pretty much covered that your surge can indicate that you are going to O within the next 12-36 hours or so. The problem is that a positive OPK is only showing that you are gearing up to O so a negative does not mean that you did - it just means you no longer have a LH surge. That's why you need to have your chart to confirm. Plus you are tracking your CM and cervical position so you have an excellent idea when you are gearing up to O.
Your timing is awesome. Sperm can live for up to five days so as long as you BD at least once during your FW you theoretically have a chance. You more than have that covered.
Now quit over thinking!

I think her goal is to make me over think...I have been great all cycle and still feel calm, but she is making me nuts!! I secretly think she doesn't want me to get pregnant. Telling me I am fertile for 36 hours after my OPK goes negative just put me over the edge...DH and I are not having sex for 4 more days! I just needed someone to tell me that wasn't true...I mean I don't have a lot of CM (probably because we have been BDing like rabbits ha) but my cervix will change positions and CM will completely dry up. Just have to make it thru BDing tonight and tomorrow...then its on the the waiting game haha

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