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HomeIsWithU
Baby #2 on the way!

Member since 9/07 7816 total posts
Name: Jenn
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When should I start using OPKs?
My cycles lately have been around 43 days long. I know the box says to start testing at CD 10, but if I do that and my cycle is another 40-dayer, I have to use 3 boxes of OPKS Should I play it safe and start testing at CD10, or can I wait and test a little later?
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Posted 10/24/08 11:54 AM |
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Long Island Weddings
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LiveAgain
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Member since 8/07 3545 total posts
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Re: When should I start using OPKs?
i'm in the same boat, my last cycle was 44 days I'm going to start testing around CD 13
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Posted 10/24/08 11:57 AM |
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Angel321
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Member since 4/08 15553 total posts
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Re: When should I start using OPKs?
that's really a toughie sweety....
for me - personally, what i would do is sit down and figure out your last 5-6 cycles. Start testing when you should based on the SHORTEST of those cycles....
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Posted 10/24/08 11:59 AM |
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MRSBA
LIF Adult

Member since 9/08 923 total posts
Name:
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Re: When should I start using OPKs?
CD 10 would be for a 27 day cycle (like me) I would guess you could start later. What is your shortest recent cycle?
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Posted 10/24/08 12:00 PM |
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HomeIsWithU
Baby #2 on the way!

Member since 9/07 7816 total posts
Name: Jenn
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Re: When should I start using OPKs?
Posted by MRSBA
CD 10 would be for a 27 day cycle (like me) I would guess you could start later. What is your shortest recent cycle?
My shortest cycle was 2 cycles ago (when I was still on BCP) at 28 days. Every cycle since I've been off the pill has been either 44 or 43 days long.
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Posted 10/24/08 12:10 PM |
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HomeIsWithU
Baby #2 on the way!

Member since 9/07 7816 total posts
Name: Jenn
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Re: When should I start using OPKs?
Posted by davenjess
that's really a toughie sweety....
for me - personally, what i would do is sit down and figure out your last 5-6 cycles. Start testing when you should based on the SHORTEST of those cycles....
Thanks Jess. its hard to do it that way though because other than the past 2 cycles, everything before that was while I was on the pill. If I go by my shortest, it would be the most recent cycle at 43 days
I'm worried though that this cycle might be shorter and if I wait too long to use the OPK I might miss my O date.
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Posted 10/24/08 12:12 PM |
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MRSBA
LIF Adult

Member since 9/08 923 total posts
Name:
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Re: When should I start using OPKs?
Posted by HomeIsWithU
My shortest cycle was 2 cycles ago (when I was still on BCP) at 28 days. Every cycle since I've been off the pill has been either 44 or 43 days long.
Ok, I understand know. How about before you were on BCP. Do you remember how long your cycles were then?
If your not sure then yes, maybe for one month I would start OPK early. If you continue with irregular and long cycles - I would bet that temping or the CBEFM might work better for you. Sorry if that's not much help.
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Posted 10/24/08 12:16 PM |
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maybeamommy
Blessed beyond belief

Member since 10/07 17048 total posts
Name:
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Re: When should I start using OPKs?
You should start based on your shortest cycle since coming off BCP.
Every box of OPKs should have a recommended start date.
CD 10 is only for people who don't know how long their cycles are.
Keep in mind that your cycles are constantly changing and adjusting after you come off bcp. Right now they are 40+ days but they may not always be that way.
You would probably be fine starting at CD 15 even.
For someone with a 40 day cycle, the recommended start date is CD 23.
The only reason I'd recommend starting early is because you really don't know how long your cycles are yet since they are just adjusting. You could have a random 30 day cycle and miss O if you start testing too late.
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Posted 10/24/08 12:42 PM |
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HomeIsWithU
Baby #2 on the way!

Member since 9/07 7816 total posts
Name: Jenn
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Re: When should I start using OPKs?
Posted by MRSBA
Posted by HomeIsWithU
My shortest cycle was 2 cycles ago (when I was still on BCP) at 28 days. Every cycle since I've been off the pill has been either 44 or 43 days long.
Ok, I understand know. How about before you were on BCP. Do you remember how long your cycles were then?
If your not sure then yes, maybe for one month I would start OPK early. If you continue with irregular and long cycles - I would bet that temping or the CBEFM might work better for you. Sorry if that's not much help.
that was actually very helpful! thank you
Before I was on BCP I was like clockwork -- every 28 days. If I was ever late, the longest I went was 30 days. But in general, I was very regular.
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Posted 10/24/08 12:42 PM |
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HomeIsWithU
Baby #2 on the way!

Member since 9/07 7816 total posts
Name: Jenn
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Re: When should I start using OPKs?
Posted by maybeamommy
The only reason I'd recommend starting early is because you really don't know how long your cycles are yet since they are just adjusting. You could have a random 30 day cycle and miss O if you start testing too late.
Yea, this is exactly why I'm afriad to go by the recommended CD23 for my cycle length. I think I'd be better off starting earlier too. Hmm, okay maybe I'll just start at CD10 this month and if I have another long cycle, then next month I'll start testing a little later.
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Posted 10/24/08 12:45 PM |
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asecretmommytobe09
My little pumpkin is here!!!!

Member since 10/08 3369 total posts
Name: Katie
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Re: When should I start using OPKs?
if you are unsure maybe start a little earlier. I started CD10
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Posted 10/24/08 12:46 PM |
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