Using OPKs - a beginner's questions

[momo01]

I'm currently TTC, cycle 3 for DC2. I got pregnant with DC1 quite quickly, and didn't use OPKs. This time round, my periods have become more irregular, so I thought I'd give them a try.

I'm going to get the One Step strips. The instructions say to start testing the day you are due to ovulate. If your cycles range from 30 to 35 days, when do you start testing?

Also, some reviewers talk about testing multiple times daily so as to not miss 'the surge'. Should I be doing this? Or just at the start (or end?) or the day?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm very new to OPKs and know there are experts on this board. Thank you!

Hi @momo01. I'm not an expert but i recently starting using OPK's and was advised to test in the afternoon and evening. Apparently FMU can give a false result. I tested twice a day. My cycles are between 29-32 days and i started testing on CD 10, got my surge on CD15 which means i ovulated on CD 16/17. I would defo start testing before you're due to ovulate otherwise you might miss the surge.

Best of luck with it x

Thank you @DGirl35 - wow twice a day, really? Is that in case you test in the afternoon but then surge at bed time? What if I just tested before bed every night?

Ye it's a lot but if you tested at night time, you're LH surge could be in the afternoon and you would miss it then too. It's up to you, I know there are people who test once a day and catch their peak no problem. Some people's LH surge only last a few hours and others can last days! It's all very confusing if you ask me

Hello,

I hope you don't mind me jumping on. I have just started to use OPKs and slightly confused... when TTC I have DTD during my fertile period and then the day my app says I am ovulating. If I use the OPKs do I DTD that day and the next few days?

Thank you

Thank you @DGirl35 for the clarification. Oh wow, I thought the hormone level would be sustained following the surge, but sounds like it's not! Maybe testing twice a day would be prudent then...

@PrincessConsuela12 my understanding is that you are most fertile from a few days prior to ovulation to a day after (sperm lives for longer than the egg). NHS says DTD every other day during the fertile period.

Would welcome other thoughts!

@momo01 I used those OPK's for the first few months of TTC but found them pretty difficult to read. The last cycle I used the clear blue digital one instead and whilst quite a bit more expensive, it takes the questioning out of it and measures oestrogen rise as well as the LH surge.

Hi @PrincessConsuela12 I've been following the SMEP method (have you heard of it?) which advises to DTD every other day from CD 8 then once you get a positive Ovulation test DTD for 3 days in a row. A positive OPK is to let you know you will ovulate in the next 12-24 hours so I would DTD on the day of positive OPK and the day after.

Thank you @DGirl35 & @momo01

I haven't heard about the SMEP method but will look tonight.

I don't think I've been getting my timings quite right & following an app instead so will try something new next month x

Thanks all. Wow re DTD every other day then three days in a row - I'm not sure we can manage that!!

@momo01 It's exhausting so hoping i get my BFP this month!!

Does anybody know: does breastfeeding affect how OPKs work? I'm still breastfeeding 16-month old DD a couple of times overnight and also during the day when I'm home (I know... not ideal). Will this affect testing?

@momo01 Sorry, i have no idea. I cant imagine it would do, maybe at the start but after 16 months i'd say you would be ok. I'm no expert though.