New to opt

[oatybiscuits]

I've just come off the pill and am using internet cheapy opks to try and get an idea of what's going on in my cycles, especially as I'm also breastfeeding. I'm having a bit of trouble getting to grips with them, I'm getting a very faint but not changing line (for 3 days) so I don't think I'm ovulating but what does it mean? Tia

[Writerwannabe83]

The sticks detect the LSH which triggers ovulation and it can happen very quickly and can be missed if only testing once a day.

Unless the test line is as dark as, or darker than the control line then it's a negative result. A faint line is negative.

Are your cycles regular?

I usually ovulate around cycle days 17/18 so start testing twice a day from cycle day 15 just in case it happens earlier than usual.

I once went from a negative result to a very strong positive in the space of 6 hours and then it was negative again another 6 hours later - that's how quickly it can happen.

Why cycle day are you on at the moment?

[oatybiscuits]

My periods used to be regular, I haven't had one since I had ds nearly 2 years ago; I started taking the POP in January, then just stopped a couple of weeks ago and didn't have a period when I was on it. I think I thought opks worked just like pregnancy tests but they're a bit more complicated!

[Writerwannabe83]

They do kind of and they don't need to be complicated

A dark test line which is as dark as the control line or darker = positive.

Anything else = negative

Most women will always have some LSH in their system so there will always usually be a second faint test line when you use an OPK. It's only when the test line is very dark does it mean there's a surge in the hormone which will then trigger ovulation.

Go onto Google and search for images of positive OPKs and it will show you that you're aiming for.

Just keep testing and don't get disheartened yet - you need to let your hormones kick back in to their natural rhythm after the POP and it may take another few weeks or months.