OPK testers: Differences in Brands?????

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-17-2008
OPK testers: Differences in Brands?????
5
Sat, 02-28-2009 - 1:14pm

OK, I have a question for those of you that have used different brands of OPK's.

My first month of charting, I also started using Answer brand 20 count OPK strips. That month I got a clear positive (darker than the control line).

Since the brand name OPK's are quite expensive, I ordered the test strips from early-pregnancy-tests.com. I have been using those for the past 3 cycles and never got a positive even testing twice per day around O. I know that I ovulated on these cycles because I did have a thermal shift.

So this month I caved and bought the expensive First Response (standard not digital) tests. I took my first FR test today and got a "not quite positive" test (still a bit lighter than the control line) while the internet test strip does not even show the test line! Same pee sample. I am due to O on Monday.

Has anyone else had this experience? I feel like I have been making myself crazy for the past three months with these internet OPK's. I am confused so any input would be appreciated.

Thanks, Kris

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-28-2008
Sat, 02-28-2009 - 1:25pm
I know how you feel !!! I had ordered internet cheapies off of ebay and I never got a positive. Even when my CBEFM was saying peak. I went and bought clerblue easy

 PCOS, Insulin Resistance, MTHFR, APS (Hughes Syndrome) and a Mullerian Anomaly  (bicornuate uteru

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-07-2008
Sat, 02-28-2009 - 1:27pm
I've had the same experience. I was never able to get a positive on the opks from early-pregnancy-tests.com even when testing 2-3 times a day.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-17-2008
Sat, 02-28-2009 - 1:53pm

Thank you, thank you, thank you for both of your responses!!!!!!!!!

I am so relieved to hear that others have had the same difficulties with the e-p-t test strips. After three cycles, I was starting to think that something was wrong with me! Especially since the e-p-t tests seem to work for other ladies (from what I've read).

Last month, I had found a study comparing different OPK brands, but I can't find it again for the life of me. I remember that the Answer 20 pack got one of the lowest ratings for only being able to detect the LH surge in 60% of the women. That got me thinking which is why I bought the FR tests. I tested head to head as well and the results were VERY different. Guess that I will keep using both so that when I get a positive (probably tomorrow or Monday) I can see what it looks like on the e-p-t test! LOL

Thanks again!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-17-2008
Sun, 03-01-2009 - 2:49pm

After 3 cycles not seeing one, I got a clearly positive First Response OPK today (the test line started to appear before the control line and became darker). YEAH! I also tested the same sample with the internet strips just to compare. Sure enough the test line is still not as dark as the control and thus negative.

I feel so silly for causing myself such frustration for the past three months! Thanks again to Moonlit & Froggirl for sharing your experiences! Guess the e-p-t tests just don't work for me either.

Fingers and toes crossed that we can catch the egg this cycle!!!!!! Baby dust...

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-07-2008
Sun, 03-01-2009 - 2:54pm
Glad to hear you finally got a positive!