[Joanna1127]

Last cycle was the first cycle that I used OPKs. I have always assumed I ovulated around day 14, since that was when I got pregnant before, but never used them. Now that we're ttc again, I figured I should probably try them to see exactly when are the right times to dtd. Last month I didn't get a line until cd 20/21. Now that I think of it, I'm not sure the lines were as dark as the control line. Does that mean they are not positive?

I'm on my next cycle now trying them and on cd 12 but nothing so far. I'll continue them to see what happens. My question is, what if I don't ovulate? What does that mean? Or what if the line is there but not as dark as the control line? I saw my doctor yesterday and she told me she would test my progesterone 7 days after I get a + OPK to see if I did infact ovulate. Is that right? Is there something else I should request?

[Tammyms]

If the 2nd line isn't as dark or darker than the control line, it does mean the OPK is negative. How many times are you testing when you think you are close? If you're only testing once a day you can miss your surge. My tests are so faint until about 2 days prior to O, I can always tell when it will be positive the following day. When I get to the part where I know it will go positive, I test more than once a day to make sure I catch my surge Hope that helps!

[missy123]

Can you post pictures of your OPK's so we can answer your questions better?

And Yes, checking progesterone levels via blood-work at 7dpo or cd21 is the normal procedure.

((Hugs)) I know how frustrating all of this can be.

[.:Shortcake:.]

I agree with Missy! I have my levels check at 7dpo too. And if you show us a picture we can help you better with your OPKs

[Joanna1127]

I don't have any pics, since that one was from last cycle. I will take some pics if I get some this cycle though. So basically if we dtd every night, we should be covered, right?

[SillyKitty]

Yes, the test line has to be as dark as the control line, or darker. If it is close, that means that you are close to getting a positive. What I did during the two cycles that I used them was start using them around 5 days before more normal ovulation (for me, that was cd 12; if you aren't sure, start using them a little earlier). I would always test around 2 PM, since that is when I read was the best time to use an OPK. Once I saw a line that started getting a little darker, I would start testing twice per day, first around 1PM, and then again around 6-7PM. Both cycles, I had a semi-dark line earlier in the day that turned positive later that evening.

Some women have very short LH surges that are hard to catch with OPKs, so they need to test 2-3 times per day when it is around that time, and others have the positive OPKs linger for day or two after the first positive (that was what happened to me).

Good luck!

P.S. I ended up buying the Clear Blue Easy digital OPK the second cycle, because it was much easier than guessing. You can still pull the cartridge out of the holder after you get the digital reading to evaluate the lines yourself if you want, so you can still tell if you are getting close.