how do you use OPKs and when?

[JorBai]

I have just bought a pack of OPKs this month to make sure I am Oing coz last month we tried all throughout the fertile period and was taking temps so I am concerned maybe I am not o'ing or perhaps later in the cycle.

So I have a 29-31 day cycle. This month was 30 day cycle and going off temps I od on CD16. So this month when should I start using the OPKs??? I have never used them before so a little clueless:confused:

[Cian's Mum]

Hi Baileys Mummy .

I used them for few months and I think the best time for you would be to start day 11 of your cycle . Start at 11 for a start ... just in case . ( Or even day 10 )

If it gets positive after the fifth test , then start checking on your next cycle on day 13 ...

I think the first 2 months , I used 2 packs of 5 because I did not know how long my cycle was going to be . So I started the test at day 10 as I did not want to miss THE day ...

I was usually starting to have a light positive color at day 12 and much stronger at day 13 . But everyone is different and it's a really good way of knowing WHEN you ovulate ...

Good luck and let me know how you are going .

[JorBai]

Thanks beatrice! So I only have 1 pack of 5 tests should I buy another pack??

Also if were trying to BD before O (trying for a girl) then is there a faint line that gets darker closer to O???

[Cian's Mum]

Baileys Mummy.

If it's your first time using the test , I would buy another one as you don't really know you when you ovulate.
If your test is positive after the second or third test , you won't need the 5 other ones .
If your tests are negative after 5 ( and you have started at day 10 or 11) , I would encourage you to keep doing the test ...

That's what happened to me ... I needed an extra 5 because I was not ovulating on time !!! but much later ...:banghead:

The tricky thing with those test is to know the "right moment " to BD ... they say that the darker it is , the closer you are from you O . That's why the first cycle might be a "try " ... to get use to the color of the test .

Something to do : KEEP ALL YOUR STICKS ... all your tests , so you will compare them each month and be familiar with the color . Mine was usually turning really dark color after the second test ( faint then dark the next day ).

I used to do them at 14:00 SAME TIME . They recommend not to do it in the morning as you can miss your pic ... but it depends on the test ...

Hope that helps .... take care .