OPK Question

[Anonymous]

10:25 here. The RE said the strips are actually more helpful than the digital because they can indicate trends and show responses at lower LH levels rather than just saying yes or no. We ended up with a pretty obvious positive on the strip a couple hours ago and the RE had us switch from a blood test and sonogram appointment to a thaw, wash, and IUI appointment tomorrow. Who knows whether it will work but it is good to be doing something other than moping around being alternately really grumpy and really nice to each other. So I guess we're in the same boat--not sure if there's been ovulation but trying anyway. I hope in a couple weeks we are both back here with good news, and that both of our families are able to enjoy the holidays while all this craziness is happening!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am sorry you are dealing with this but it makes me feel better that we are not the only ones super confused by OPKs. We have been using paper strips that keep showing the test line about equal to the control line and digital tests that keep saying "no." Unlike you, we're using donor sperm, so no ability to just keep having sex every day...we pretty much get one ($2000) bite at the apple each month.

Our doctor suggested bloodwork and a sonogram tomorrow to see if we did miss ovulation this month. She said for some people, the digital (yes/no or smiley) tests just have too high a threshold and people can ovulate with LH too low to trigger a yes on the OPK. We feel like total morons not to be able to figure this out and it is so frustrating. So no advice, just sympathy from someone who's in a similar situation.

I really like the Answer brand OPKs. The internet cheapie ones never worked for me - the line never got as dark as it should and I couldn't see a clear pattern. The Answer brand gave a super dark positive. Also I agree the digital OPKs are crap if you ask me. Especially the advanced kind - it told me I was "Peak" fertility a full week before I should have been and it was definitely wrong.

[Anonymous]

another reason to temp, OP -- yes, you can ovulate on day 17! i also have (had, really) 28-30 day cycles and was ovulating as late as day 21. this most recent month i was using the digital OPK in the morning, the wondfo ones in the afternoon and temping each day.

and i'll offer some sympathy about being tired of having sex everyday. when those strips stopped showing positive for ovulation, i would think, phew! i can just go to bed and go to sleep!

[Anonymous]

OP here. I'm going to look into Answer brand OPKs and then maybe back them up with the smileys. Agreed PP! Can't wait to just go to sleep, although I hope I didn't mess up our chances--took a break from sex last night in spite of the super +OPK because I wanted to let DH's swimmers replenish. It figures...we had so much sex on the days where the test line was the same color as the control line and NONE on the day that the test line was darker than the control line! ugh I hope we didn't kill our chances this month...not sure if sex tonight will be pointless. Can't wait for sex to be for fun again (the only plus side of the TWW).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm going to look into Answer brand OPKs and then maybe back them up with the smileys. Agreed PP! Can't wait to just go to sleep, although I hope I didn't mess up our chances--took a break from sex last night in spite of the super +OPK because I wanted to let DH's swimmers replenish. It figures...we had so much sex on the days where the test line was the same color as the control line and NONE on the day that the test line was darker than the control line! ugh I hope we didn't kill our chances this month...not sure if sex tonight will be pointless. Can't wait for sex to be for fun again (the only plus side of the TWW).

If I makes you feel better, I didn't ovulate until a day or two after I got a dark positive OPK. It just means your body is gearing up to ovulate, not that you actually have ovulated. That's why temping is awesome, because it confirms that ovulation has taken place after the fact and then you can confidently give your DH a break without all those what-ifs in the back of your mind! Seriously, get a basal body thermometer from Target ($8.99 I think) and download the My Fertility Friend App. Have sex until the app gives you red crosshairs (and then a day or two extra just on case). You will not regret it!

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP, definitely makes me feel better. Now I just have to figure out a way to jump DH tonight without him realizing why (I mistakenly told him we were done for the month and I don't think it's good for morale if I tell him that he HAS to have sex tonight. Haha!
And I didn't realize bbt's were so inexpensive...I always thought they were in the $100 range so I put it out of my mind. Will get one for next month. Thanks!