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OPK help!

cm716cm716 member
in Trying to Get Pregnant
I bought some ovulation strips and used them last month but I'm a little confused. According the directions, a second line does not indicate a positive unless the second line is equal to or darker than the control line. I used these last month and never got a line darker than the control line. I got several second lines that varied in darkness but it was never equal to or darker than the control line. Also, I was taking them using FMU but according to some things I read online I shouldn't be taking them first thing. Help please! When do I take them? How can I tell when a second line does mean positive? Also, I don't know if this is relevant but I weaned my second daughter a little over a month ago but have had regular cycles since January while BFing.
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Re: OPK help!

  • ladeuce13ladeuce13 member
    I don't use OPKs, so I can't give you any advice that way ... But, if you do a search on the board for this topic, you'll see it gets asked fairly often. Maybe you can find some advice in old threads?
    Me: 37, DH: 44
    TTC #1 since September 2014
    Canada




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  • 0SeaMonkey00SeaMonkey0 member
    First of all opks are really tricky and sometimes you just a won't get a positive result. They are a good tool but not reliable enough to be the only thing you rely on.

    Biggest mistake you're making is using fmu. The hormone builds up through the day so you're better off testing early afternoon, preferably after holding for a few hours and not drinking any water during that time. Try that and see if you have better luck this cycle.
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  • skilouiseskilouise member
    The lines do need to be equally dark. The time to take them depends on the test. Most say afternoon/evening, but the CBA digitals say to use FMU.

    My first month using OPKs I messed up the timing because I wasn't temping, and stopped way too early. This time, I've been temping since CD10, and on CD23 still don't have a positive.

    FWIW, some women never turn them positive.


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  • aloha5736aloha5736 member
    I use them and at first I was using them twice a day. I only get a positive in the late AM. I usually use the second void of the day. Was never getting a positive around 5p, not sure if it is because I drink a lot of water throughout the day. Test AM and PM but don't use FMUunless the package tells you too. Now I know when I get LH surges so I test mid morning only. I'm not a pro, but that is what works for me :)
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  • jhems776jhems776 member
    I'm similar to PP. I only seem to get positives in the late am but have heard of others who only do after 5. I would recommend doing 3 a day for a little. I also get a positive three days in a row. One month I O'ed on the second pos and the other was on the third. I temp to confirm.
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  • goldie987goldie987 member
    Lutenizing Hormone (LH) is what the strips test for and like others have said, it starts being made early in the morning and builds over the course of the day. It can take up to 4 hours for a surge of it to be detectable in your urine and some women only surge for about 12 hours (others can surge for 24 to even 36 hours). Testing using FMU could mean you tested before the surge hits your pee and by the next morning, the surge is over and you've missed it. I've heard anywhere between 10am and 8 pm is good with 2 pm being the ideal time. I've been testing around 1 pm and 5 pm (2x per day) to hopefully hit the window but Im still early in my cycle so I haven't gotten a positive yet.
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  • BostonBaby1BostonBaby1 member
    edited September 2015
    I like the advice of the PP's… I also want to add that it's possible that you did not ovulate. If you temp in addition then you would be able to confirm ovulation if it takes place.

    TCOYF is a popular book here I believe.

    The other thing that you can try doing is using the CB digital tests to make it a little bit simpler until you get the hang of when you might be surging during your cycle.

    Also, it should be noted that some women get multiple surges. I know I usually do. That's why checking cervical mucus and other signs of ovulation help correlate and clarify.

    *typo & clarity
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  • ttcimplsttcimpls member
    edited September 2015
    I second PP on testing AM and PM for a couple of cycles. It will give you a better sense of how dark the line will get and what time of day is best for you. Also, as others have mentioned, some women never turn a positive so just watch for your darkest and chart temp, CM to help you confirm O.

    ETA the rest of my post bc phone app
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  • chrlyrchrlyr member
    edited September 2015
    I do them twice a day and then more often once the test line starts darkening. Definitely don't use FMU, but you can get a positive in the morning. I got my positive on SMU this cycle.

    I use Wondfos so I can test more often without feeling like I'm wasting money. They're super cheap on Amazon.
    DS 12.02.11

    Pregnancy Ticker
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