Refresh my memory... OPKs

Last month.... saw EWCM ... tested.... negative OPK... 2 weeks later I got my period.


This month... EWCM ... tested.... and of course the darn thing had an error message but the stick that goes inside it is clearly negative.

I have a feeling I'm ovulating though and that I'll have my period in 2 weeks.. or not ..


But seriously... are there people who actually DO ovulate and OPKs just don't work for? Or.......... am I just using these darn things at the wrong time?

ETA: Oh - and before I get all the questions about me TTC right now - I have NEVER had a regular cycle IN MY LIFE until these last few months. Maybe it's the meds break.. maybe it's metformin ... maybe it's just dumb luck ... or maybe I just was able to relax .. but I'm honestly just curious about finding out more about what my body is doing on it's own. I've had IUIs, ya know... where they place the sperm directly into the uterus ... with 5 follies just hanging out and waiting .. and still didn't get pregnant .. So, I'm not too hopeful here, just curious if I'm actually ovulating (and when) more than anything.

Message edited 8/7/2012 11:21:16 PM.

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

Is it possible you are missing your surge? Are you testing at the same time everyday?

Refresh my memory... OPKs

are you using the smiley ones?

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

No, I literally have NO experience using these, beyond a few years ago (and only for a few months) .. so I am more or less clueless. Ask me about Gonal or Menopur and I could write you a novel. An OPK on the other hand?? I feel so dumb.

Basically, I see EWCM ... I test... I get a negative. Maybe I should be testing sooner?

I know that's not a great indicator of ovulation, but the last few months, I got my period EXACTLY 2 weeks later.

ETA: I'm using regular and smilies.. I tried using a smiley tonight and got an error message. I think if the test screen was capable of saying "back away you idiot!" it would have - but alas that came in the form of an error message. Go figure.

Message edited 8/7/2012 11:26:44 PM.

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

What day in your cycle do you start to test? Just when you get EWCM? I know for my OPK's they recommend testing every day starting at CD 8 until the positive OPK. Also you don't want to test first thing in the morning. Between 10 am and 6 pm is best

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

See that's the thing ... I have only been testing when I see EWCM because my cycles have NEVER been this regular EVER. Now, it's like perfect clockwork. It's actually pretty amazing for me.

The reason I haven't been testing starting a few days into the cycle was I just always doubted my body would keep up this trend.

I guess if I end up with my period in two weeks, I'll do it differently next cycle and start testing a week in. Of course, that will be the cycle my body goes haywire again.

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

I have a feeling you are just missing your surge. If you want a to get a good reading of your cycle, next month you should start the OPK's on CD 8 and you can even temp. That way you can confirm ovulation.

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

That's what I'll have to do .. I'll definitely be testing earlier, but temping is where I will probably draw the line. I used to temp.. Now with surrogacy I just don't want the stress of dealing with all that crap I wish there was a flat out answers YES you ovulated or NOT you did not!

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

Posted by PennyCat

That's what I'll have to do .. I'll definitely be testing earlier, but temping is where I will probably draw the line. I used to temp.. Now with surrogacy I just don't want the stress of dealing with all that crap I wish there was a flat out answers YES you ovulated or NOT you did not!

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

u used the dreaded term relax....i cannot be friends with u anymore

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

Posted by gina409

u used the dreaded term relax....i cannot be friends with u anymore

Refresh my memory... OPKs

I think your testing too early...I would def start earlier

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

OPKs don't work for me. Screw them and their 99% effective nonsense on the box. Nurses have told me lots of women have problems with OPKs. Sometimes your surge will effectively discharge your follicle but isn't strong enough to trigger a positive test. That said, the CBE digitals with the smiley were the only ones I had any success with at all.

Jeez, I feel like it's 2 years ago and I'm on the TTC board with this question

Message edited 8/8/2012 8:12:01 AM.

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

Posted by PennyCat

Posted by gina409

u used the dreaded term relax....i cannot be friends with u anymore

Between that and some pinot noir, it's a sure thing!

Refresh my memory... OPKs

i would bet money on you getting pregnant naturally.

as for the OPK, that's how i do it too. i wait for EWCM and then use it. i like it cause i dont waste a million a cycle testing for days and days. but for me i literally go from no CM to like 5 days of EWCM. so i have plenty of time to use the OPK once I see EWCM. and usually when i see real EWCM its unmistakable and i get +OPKs for a few days. it's only been this way now, post partum, and from being on met since April. i actually have a "normal" cycle length (32-34 days) although i ovulate late around CD22-24 and my LP is "defect" short now (around 9 days).

so yeah if i were you i would just remember around what cycle day you see EWCM and then test a day or two before that. but i do think it is possible to ovulate and not have OPKs work. i think some PCOSers have that issue.

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

It depends some times id get the +OPK before after or during EWCM... it was never a sure thing... all i know is that i always when i had EWCM...

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

My guess is you're testing too late.

I never got EWCM until AFTER I Oed, so my surge would've been predicted a few days before the EWCM.

Also, don't look at the stick inside the digital. The lines don't mean the same thing as the lines on a regular OPK.

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

stop testing and start when you see EWCM for like 3-4 days!

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

i always get EWCM about 2 days before i get the on an OPK. get busy!

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

I could never use those things and my cycles are (still) like clockwork. In fact one time I used two different brands, for about 3-4 times a day because it was driving me crazy. And then finally one brand said I was surging while the other said no. I had blood work the same day (so I must have been doing IUI's at the time...a gazillion years ago) and I was surging. I am sure the clear blue was the one with the correct info. Actually think I posted a photo of it on here if they keep things that long. I bough them both from same store on same day. So, it also depends on brand. And I suggest not peeing directly on it but using a little plastic cup. And you should do it at least 2x a day if you are "missing" it.

I did like the scientific data that went with taking temps, it was always so accurate. Though it was annoying every morning to remember to not speak, not drink, not move and take the temp. DH would always come out and say something to me and I would just look at him with the thermometer in my mouth like "seriously".

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

Posted by bookworm


Jeez, I feel like it's 2 years ago and I'm on the TTC board with this question

Refresh my memory... OPKs

OPKs don't work for me. I ovulate on my own, however, I've had both false positives and false negatives with OPKs. I know I O around CD 18-20 so during months we take a break we BD then. Otherwise I need the blood test and sono to confirm.

Refresh my memory... OPKs

Double post

Message edited 8/9/2012 7:47:08 AM.

Re: Refresh my memory... OPKs

OPK- Clear Blue Easy smiley face ones...

I suggest testing on your 2nd urine of the day between 11am-2pm...(I was crazy and tested at 11am and 2 pm) ...

and then I tested again at 11pm...

I started my OPK tests on CD 10

If I got a in my moring test I would have that night and the three nights following...

If I got my that night Id do a morning

My RE said once a day no more then once a day...

My timing was always perfect, unfortunately they sperm weren't

Ive heard SO MANY stories about women who finally adopt a baby and find out they are pregnant ...this could totally be you!!!

xoxo Good Luck