OPK? Never used, questions...

Avatar for tashishoosha
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
OPK? Never used, questions...
3
Wed, 10-15-2003 - 8:51am
Hi. I was thinking that if I didn't get pg this month (I'm thinking I'm not...testing Sunday after BFN today), I will begin using an OPK. I'm just wondering on the general use of these. Is it something that you pee on every day? Do you get a whole bunch in a box? Is it like a HPT? How do you know when to begin using it? The only OPK I've seen is the one on TV that is digital. Is this what you use? So part of that one must be reusable.

Lots of ?s, TIA for any info!!

Kel
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 10-15-2003 - 9:23am
The least expensive ones come in a box -- it's like an HPT in that you pee on the stick, or put the stick in a cup of urine for a short time. They come in boxes of 5 or 7, so you usually use 1 box a month (although 1 box of 7 lasted 2 months for me). They test for your LH surge -- when your LH surges (the test line is equal to or darker than the control line), you usually ovulate 12-36 hours afterward. There's a chart to tell you, based on how long your cycles are, when you should start testing, i.e. for a 26 day cycle, I think they told me to start testing on CD8 or 9. My surge was on CD11, so I only used 3 tests both in September and October. The best time to test it is usually around 2 pm, and after you haven't p'd for at least 4 hours.

I personally don't know about those more expensive OPKs. Maybe someone else can give you info on that.

HTH!

Allison, ttc#2, C2, CD19, ~7DPO.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2003
Wed, 10-15-2003 - 9:26am
Hi Kel and good luck,

I'll pass along my info on OPK's and I'm sure you will get more info because I'm not an expert.

First, I didn't buy mine over the counter because they are expensive and you only get a few in a box and in some only one. I think people use the store ones if they are charting and want to confirm what their chart is saying.

I bought a bunch off the internet, there are test sites you can buy from they sell all kinds of tests, pg, opk, hiv, you name it. I actually got mine off of e-bay and they were great 20 for $9.99. There are a few different kinds, a pee on a stick kind, a little tiny stick you dip in the urine (that is what I got because it was cheapest).

The final one is the "machine" one, my understanding is that you still have to have test strips to "dip" and then stick them in the machine, which reads them and tracks your cycle. So on top of the machine purchase, remember that you also have to replace the strips (in your cost evaluation).

As for using them, just remember to NOT use morning urine for this test, they say to try to test at the same time each day (I would when I got home from work) and to try to limit liquids a few hours before testing so that you get nice strong urine.

There is a chart somewhere about what cycle day to start using them on based on the lenght of your cycle, the shorter your cycle the earlier you start using the opk's. I think I used about 6 before I got a +, I got +'s for two days then went back to -.

Also remember the + OPK means you are going to ovulate in something like 12-36 hours, so it is a "Pre-Test" LOL.

My testing confirmed when I "thought" I was o'ing so I stopped after one cycle.

HTH and GOOD LUCK!!!

Avatar for tashishoosha
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
Wed, 10-15-2003 - 9:46am
Thanks ladies!!

Kel