OPK's

[Anonymous]

I am new to using these...does it matter which brand you use? The CVS brand is much cheaper, so I bought those, but I keep getting negatives. I decided to start testing based on when I thought I would ovulate ( used an online ovulation calculator) but have gotten five negatives in a row. Do I just keep going? THese things are expensive and I don't want to waste them. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I always used the Clear Blue Easy OPK's. You can get them at Costco if you are a member. I would usually get one or two positives. I chose this brand as its Consumer Reports top rated brand for OPK's.

From what I've heard a cheaper brand may not be as sensitive. For example, it might show a positive earlier than a more sensitive brand. So you could have 3 or 4 days of positive OPK's versus 1-2. Also, my sticks would begin to get a little darker. When this happened I would start testing twice a day so that I didn't miss my surge.

I suggest reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility. That's a great guide. Also, usually around ovulation time you should notice egg white cervical mucous. This could be an indicator that you will ovulate soon.

The first time I used OPK's I used them too late in my cycle and never got a positive. The next time I used them earlier in my cycle and found my ovulation date. With my cycle my ovulation date varied every month though - from as early as Day 14 to as late as Day 20.

Yes they are expensive, but TTC is very stressful. I'm willing to pay $20 a month to know that/when I ovulated and that my timing was good. I also charted too so that helped ease my stress.