Question about OPK

ta115 · January 2013

So I have a question about using OPKs. This month, I began testing a couple of days before I should have ovulated. The first two days, nothing showed up at all. On the 3rd day, I got a VERY faint line (barely even visible). On the 4th day, I got a very light line... the same exact thing that happened on the day 3. On day 5 and every other day after that, there was nothing! So I really don't understand this. I read up on these and everything that I read said that the line has to be AS DARK or DARKER then the test line. I never got anything darker. Does anyone have an explaination for this??

2moms2b · January 2013

I will start by saying I hate OPKs. I much prefer temping and charting.

For a positive OPK it does need to be as dark as the test line. What you described would happen to me then all of a sudden I would get a dark line.

I recommend testing up to a week prior to your anticipated ovulation due to this. I also used to test with OPKs twice a day.

If you aren't I recommend charting used temps. I am not as good as others here on this so I will let them chime in on the website they use. This will show you a temp spike and you can use OPKs with the temping.

Sorry I can't be of more help just wanted to let you know your not the only one that struggles with OPKs.

ta115 · January 2013

Thanks for the response. I was under the impression that with temping, once the temp spikes then it means that you have already ovulated and that you missed the window to try and conceive. Is this right?

LolaBelle515 · January 2013

I am having flashbacks of OPKs and all of the stress of that. Not everyone's body reacts to OPKs the same, so I recommend using two different types of OPKs, especially since you said you are using a known donor (ie: don't have a doctor monitoring you, I assume).

In additional to regular OPKs, we purchased this fertility monitor and found it helpful:

https://www.clearblueeasy.com/clearblue-easy-fertility-monitor.php

It is an investment, but it's another tool to help you feel confident you're trying at the right time.

Also, do you know the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility"? It's popular on this board. My wife (who carried) swears by it--she was so in tune with her body after reading it that when even though neither of the OPKs ever said she ovulated last August, she knew from the other signs that she was ovulating and we tried. That's when she got pregnant.

Obviously, that's just one story--but getting all of the tools you can will never hurt! Good luck!!!

JoySeattle · January 2013

If you didn't get a darker test line then you didn't get a positive opk. That doesn't mean you didn't have an LH surge it just means you may have missed it.

I used internet cheapies(IC)/wondfos two or three times a day leading up to O (in conjunction with charting bbt, cm, etc). Once I got a faint line, I'd also use a digital opk (which usually showed a smilie face before I got a full positive with the IC). Also, make sure that you're following manufacturers directions and using concentrated urine (usually a 3-4 hour hold). After a month or so, I could pin point expected O to within 12 hours or so based on all my signs.

Best of luck!

clairmeij · January 2013

I found that using clearblue easy digital OPKs took some of the confusion out of it for me. They are pricier, but leave less room for interpretation in my opinion.

tdmklm · January 2013

clairmeij:
I found that using clearblue easy digital OPKs took some of the confusion out of it for me. They are pricier, but leave less room for interpretation in my opinion.

This exactly. Honestly, I could never make sense of the other ones and never knew whether it was the same color or darker or lighter or what. I also tested twice a day starting CD10 to make sure I didn't miss the surge. It was pricy, but it worked for us. Good luck!

tdmklm · January 2013

clairmeij:
I found that using clearblue easy digital OPKs took some of the confusion out of it for me. They are pricier, but leave less room for interpretation in my opinion.

This exactly. Honestly, I could never make sense of the other ones and never knew whether it was the same color or darker or lighter or what. I also tested twice a day starting CD10 to make sure I didn't miss the surge. It was pricy, but it worked for us. Good luck!

ball.and.chain · January 2013

ta115:
Thanks for the response. I was under the impression that with temping, once the temp spikes then it means that you have already ovulated and that you missed the window to try and conceive. Is this right?

You are correct, but the great thing about temping/charting over time is that you probably ovulate around the same time every month and if you look at several months' worth of charts, you can guess when it will probably be each month. Many women assume they ovulate around CD14, but many ovulate much earlier or later. I know from charting that I tend to ovulate around CD19-20. I have ovulated as early as 16-17 and as late as 24, but the vast majority of my charts showed 19-20. Because I charted, I didn't have to bother using OPKs until around CD14. Also, an OPK tells you your body is surging and gearing up to ovulate but it is possible to surge and not ovulate. Temping/charting will confirm ovulation if there is a temp shift.

I also hate OPKs, but it's hard to get along without them unless you are being monitored by an RE. I had trouble getting used to them but did finally figure it out. Everyone's body is different and I was told by a midwife that it was possible my LH surge level was lower than what the OPKs were calibrated to and so my second line wasn't getting as dark as I would have expected it to get, even though I was ovulating (which I knew from temping).

ta115 · January 2013

Thank you everyone! I found that book on Amazon and i just ordered it. And I will check into getting the digital OPK. Thanks!

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