when do I start OPK tests?

[ciga]

AF just came yesterday, the 20th, so I ordered the 40 ovulation/10pregnancy wondfo bundle off amazon for this month. I've never used them before so I'm trying to figure out when to start.  My cycle is anywhere from 28-31 days (well this last cycle was 33 but that almost never happens).  I think my LP is ~16days.  So would starting on CD8-9 be too early? Just to be safe. I've just used CM and the calendar to guess at ovulation in the past and I'd REALLY like to know when it is actually happening this month because my guessing game is not getting me pregnant.

Any input would be appreciated

[aHikaru]

I would start ASAP so you can see progression.

I started testing on CD8 last cycle and CD12 this cycle and have gotten very close to positive right away, so I have never seen a progression to a positive. Now I am stuck testing w/OPK's the rest of my cycle to confirm the + on CD12  I only have a few left and am not planning on buying anymore (something less to stress about), so we'll have to see what happens. 

*thought I might add, for others looking, that target OPK's do not work at all for me, I use FR OPK's with SMU.

[Jaimee]

I would suggest starting as soon as you see creamy cervical fluid.  They often suggest taking them in the afternoon as LH tends to surge later in the day.  Some suggest also taking them twice a day as they darken to truly catch your peak.  Keep in mind that you are likely to ovulate within the 24-36 hours AFTER your last positive OPK.  Also keep in mind that OPK's cannot confirm ovulation, only temping can do that.   You mentioned that you would like to pinpoint O better- charting your temperature in addition to your CF would be the way to do that.  OPK's make a nice addition to a chart, but I don't put much stock in them alone.  They are often unreliable for women- never showing up positive, showing up positive for days on end, or turning positive at random times.  Plus there is the issue of interpretation- the test line must be darker than the control and sometimes that's hard to tell.

If you'd like more info on charting your temp, just post!  Good luck!

[ciga]

Thank you both for the input.  I think I will start testing as soon as they come in the mail, which will hopefully be by Monday.  I've thought about temping but in the end I feel like, for me, it would just make me obsess more.  I'm going to do the OPK tests this month and just BD a ton regardless of what the OPK tells me and cross my fingers. 

[aHikaru]

Originally Posted by ciga 

Thank you both for the input.  I think I will start testing as soon as they come in the mail, which will hopefully be by Monday.  I've thought about temping but in the end I feel like, for me, it would just make me obsess more.  I'm going to do the OPK tests this month and just BD a ton regardless of what the OPK tells me and cross my fingers. 

Right there with you 

[travelmumma]

Me too! Let us know how you go!!!!

Sticky dust to us all xxxx