OPK, how often to test?

AZsnowflake · #1 January 17th, 2011, 08:54 AM

I am new to them, have no idea how long my cycles are or when I ovulate so I plan to use them after I stop bleeding until I get a positive. Should I be testing twice a day or just once??

Shadeauxe · #2 January 17th, 2011, 08:59 AM

I guess it depends on the brand. The ones I bought said in the instructions to do it once a day.

.:Shortcake:. · #3 January 17th, 2011, 09:16 AM

I usually test once a day between 2pm and 7pm. Once it looks almost positive I sometimes do it twice a day.

StaceygirlPa · #4 January 17th, 2011, 09:35 AM

Rachel, I am so happy you keep on asking this questions. This will be my first cycle of using OPK's

SillyKitty · #5 January 17th, 2011, 09:48 AM

I tested once (around 2 PM) until the line started to get darker, then I would test twice per day until it went positive.

Joanna1127 · #6 January 17th, 2011, 11:07 AM

This is only my 2nd cyle with them and I'm testing once, unless I see a faint line, then I'm testing twice per day.

ashj_1218 · #7 January 17th, 2011, 11:31 AM

Given your cycles, I would test once a day for a couple months to see where your "O" generally falls. Then, if you surge on day 12-13 (for example), I would test twice a day on days 11, 12, 13 if you still have not gotten knocked up (just because it gives you more time to 'catch that eggie' if you get the surge at the very beginning). I personally also use the sticks after my "O" til it goes back negative (I have a smiley one, so it is really obvious) to make sure I nabbed my surge time (when that surge drops, it signals ovulation, so you can pinpoint a closer O time, at least that is what the RE says).

A pattern usually will emerge and give you more insight to your cycle. I hope it happens quickly for you!!

AZsnowflake · #8 January 17th, 2011, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashj_1218

Given your cycles, I would test once a day for a couple months to see where your "O" generally falls. Then, if you surge on day 12-13 (for example), I would test twice a day on days 11, 12, 13 if you still have not gotten knocked up (just because it gives you more time to 'catch that eggie' if you get the surge at the very beginning). I personally also use the sticks after my "O" til it goes back negative (I have a smiley one, so it is really obvious) to make sure I nabbed my surge time (when that surge drops, it signals ovulation, so you can pinpoint a closer O time, at least that is what the RE says).
A pattern usually will emerge and give you more insight to your cycle. I hope it happens quickly for you!!

this part is very interesting, thank you! Ok so I knew already that the postive on the OPK means you will ovulate sometime after that (like 12-48 hours I think I read) so If I keep testing once it is no longer negative that is the exact day I "O"?? Thanks everyone, I will probably just do once a day til they start to get darker and then do twice a day, I'm hoping I only need them this month

Tammyms · #9 January 17th, 2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashj_1218

Given your cycles, I would test once a day for a couple months to see where your "O" generally falls. Then, if you surge on day 12-13 (for example), I would test twice a day on days 11, 12, 13 if you still have not gotten knocked up (just because it gives you more time to 'catch that eggie' if you get the surge at the very beginning). I personally also use the sticks after my "O" til it goes back negative (I have a smiley one, so it is really obvious) to make sure I nabbed my surge time (when that surge drops, it signals ovulation, so you can pinpoint a closer O time, at least that is what the RE says).

A pattern usually will emerge and give you more insight to your cycle. I hope it happens quickly for you!!

this... I test once a day until I see it get darker, then I test 2 and sometimes 3 times a day. I've been at this for almost 2 years so know what it looks like the day before I get my positive... I stick to my own brand too and don't change because some are more sensitive than others, so once you find a brand that works, stick with it and good luck!

I have had a negative in the am, the early pm and it go pos at night, then neg in the am again... so it is possible to miss if you only test once per day

missy123 · #10 January 17th, 2011, 06:13 PM

Also, if you can I say buy the store bought OPK's. While the IC's are cheap, more than once I would not get a + until I was o'ing! I have tried almost every brand out there and suggest the clearblue line tests or digital for the most accuracy.

I was not too happy with the Answer brand tests.

missy123 · #11 January 17th, 2011, 06:22 PM

See how with the clearblue test there is a smiley (meaning positive) and the First Response/Answer brand isn't even showing + yet? This is why I say if you are going to use OPK's if you can spend more and get the best.

AZsnowflake · #12 January 17th, 2011, 08:30 PM

Interesting, thanks ladies! I ordered some bundled with HPT's from amazon, they are wondfo's. Guess we'll just see what happens! I am really just using it to see what day I get my O, in case I get pregnant this month because we won't have a cycle to date the pregnancy off of so I kind of want to know when I O so I can say, well we had sex this time this time and this time right around my O that way we have a more narrow window of when I likely got pregnant, if I do get pregnant this cycle!

StaceygirlPa · #13 January 18th, 2011, 03:16 AM

Thanks ladies. You have also been helping me as Rachel ask questions. This will be my first month of really using OPS's.

Missy I got some of the clear blue digital last month to just try couple and found I love seeing the circle or seeing the little smile. If I can afford it I think I am going to stay with them.