OPK timing help

[Chloerose75]

Hi all. I started using OPKs this month for the first time as was not sure when I was ovulating. I have been doing the OPKs since about CD 10 or 11 and my cycles have been long lately, anywhere from 30-40 days. I am using the amazon cheapies. Until today there has been no line at all, today (cd 17) there is a very noticeable second line, however very slightly paler than the control line. I know it seems to show on the instructions that the line must be equally dark as the control, but this must mean something, right? I have not noticed ewcm but tbh I normally don't get it noticeably.

What I would love to know is how long after getting a result like this would I actually be ovulating. My DP is very annoyingly away at the moment but if I tell him to get back home by tomorrow night for example, will that be too late? Or do you think this slightly paler line is like the flashing days on the digitalis before you get the fixed smiley?!

Sorry if this sounds silly! I just don't want to miss my chance.

Thanks!

[m33r]

Hi chloe. Keep poas. That line will get darker (assuming you don't use very dilute wee). I'd even go to poas twice a day not with FMU. You'll see it get darker. Very reassuring. For me, after that slight line appears, I usually get progressively darker for two days then I'm there. Good luck x

[Chloerose75]

Thank you. I got a pack of 50 for only a few quid so think I can afford to pee on a few a day to reassure myself over next few days to see what is going. If I do have 2 days or so til ov that would be great as should be able to get DP back here, he just can't make it tonight as working away. Fingers crossed.

[m33r]

It might sneak up on you so even if it's not quite darker tomorrow you should still dtd if you can. X

[Chloerose75]

I definitely will if DP is here!

[Chloerose75]

I have done some googling and apparently it's most likely to ovulate 24-48 hours after the second line is as dark as the control - just in case anyone else finds themselves here looking for the same question!

[Serafinaaa]

I used an opk every day this cycle from day 10 to day 22. Got nothing. Barely a line on any day. I used them at about 6pm each day. I would have written them off as a dodgy batch or some such but last month I got a strong positive the very first time I tried one! With a definite, although fainter, line the next day. Does that mean I haven't ovulated this month??

[m33r]

Hi sera. No it doesn't mean ti haven't ovulated and indeed nor does getting a positive prove that you have. All the do is tell you you have had an lh surge so your body got primed up to ovulate. I mean it's a fair assumption and I assume a positive means that I've ovulated but wanted to tell you that just in case.

In regard to this month and only getting negatives you may have missed the surge or your wee was too dilute on the day you had the surge. This could especially be the case as you did it at 6pm. I wouldn't suggest stopping using them or trying to do it before 6 (my job prevents this) just that you don't worry too much about it.

Keep using them to give you an idea but don't take them too seriously.

Hope this helps

[Serafinaaa]

Cheers, I was using them to try to get a clearer idea of my cycle really. My DP works away and we think he might have to arrange some strategic leave to coincide with the right days each month otherwise we haven't a chance!

[Chloerose75]

Keep doing them, you might just be ovulating late? I only have a darker line today on day 18 which is now almost as dark as control, I think the clear and definitive positive will probably be tomorrow cd19. I have had a few longer cycles recently where I must have ovulated well into the 20s (which is what prompted me to get the OPKs) so I think day 22 is a bit early to rule out that you'll ovulate this cycle, you still might get positive in the next few days or so.

Or as the pp says it is also possible that you just missed it with dilute wee?!