Post # 1
Member
171 posts
Blushing bee
Is it normal for your OPK to always show two lines, or does this suggest I need to get checked out by my doctor?
The second line isn’t dark enough for it to be a positive test result, but is very clear and easy to see. I am new to OPKs so have been taking tests now (when I shouldn’t be ovulating and my chart/temp suggests I’m not ovulating) to get a baseline for me to compare against.
I recently had a CP so could that be throwing things off kilter, if you’re not meant to have two lines on every single test?
Post # 2
Member
397 posts
Helper bee
Do you mean two lines in addition to the control line (which lets you know the test is working)? So three lines in total?
Post # 3
Member
171 posts
Blushing bee
shanmia : Sorry to be confusing! I mean 2 lines total, being the control and the test line.
Post # 4
Member
397 posts
Helper bee
splishsplash : Ah ok! Is the second line always quite dark? How many days have you been taking it for?
Post # 5
Member
3250 posts
Sugar bee
Usually OPKs will have two lines. The control line, and the test line. Everyone has a base amount of LH in their system at any given time, which is what your OPK is picking up. However, OPKs indicate when a SURGE of LH is happening in your system, thus suggesting ovulation is near.
Some ladies can track an increase in their LH in the days leading up to a positive OPK, and some have pretty consistent lines and then BOOM, positive. All depends on your body.
So, yes, OPKs usually always have two lines, with the intensity of the “resting” LH test line varying from person to person. After a few times of using them, you’ll get used to what yours look like, and how your body gears up for ovulation.
Post # 6
Member
1966 posts
Buzzing bee
Mine always have two lines.
See below for reference, only the bottom two are positive
Post # 7
Member
376 posts
Helper bee
splishsplash : How are your cycles? If I use OPKs they are always almost positive or positive but I have PCOS so that is why it is like that. Is the test line there but light like pp’s picture?
Post # 8
Member
1154 posts
Bumble bee
Yes they always have two lines. In fact I think it says on the box if there is only one line it’s an invalid test.
Post # 9
Member
570 posts
Busy bee
I agree with mrspuppylove that if there is only one line then it is invalid. At least that’s what my directions say. I’m new to this as well. 🙂
Post # 10
Member
171 posts
Blushing bee
Thanks everyone. I won’t panic in that case!
1111makeawish : My cycles are all over the place and, as a result, a number of doctors have suspected PCOS. My bloods have always been the high end of normal, I don’t have any of the typical symptoms apart from the irregular cycle and there isn’t anything too exciting to see on pelvic ultrasound. I am therefore just labelled by the docs as possible PCOS. My test line so far has been light, similarly to the photo posted by a prior poster. It’s been like that for a week.
mrspuppylove : piper628 : thanks for this. The directions on my box say it can still be a valid (albeit negative) test result if only a control line comes up.
Post # 11
Member
376 posts
Helper bee
splishsplash : Oh good to hear that your blood levels and ultrasound were clear!! I too have none of the normal signs of PCOS besides the irregular period but my blood tests and ultrasound revealed that I without a doubt have it (high LH, high-ish testerone, and polycystic like ovaries). I’d relax and listen to the other bees about it being normal since you’ve already been checked out! I am in a same-sex marriage and my wife has a healthy reproductive system. We tracked her cycle for a couple months and a few days before her spike (when we started testing) it was very faint and then got darker until peak and then faded out after ovulation. It was clear to see the lead up to her spike but there were always two lines just SUPER faint when it was a few days out from her surge. But like pp’s said, everyone has a different baseline level. Good luck!! I hope you have a successful TTC journey.
Post # 12
Member
9818 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
splishsplash : there are always 2 lines because you always have LH in your system. This will test for a “surge” (increase in LH) which makes the test line darker once you are about to ovulate.
Post # 13
Member
171 posts
Blushing bee
This is what my OPK has looked like for days now (clearly negative).
Post # 14
Member
442 posts
Helper bee
splishsplash : Yup, totally normal! That’s how they’re supposed to look.
Post # 15
Member
1154 posts
Bumble bee
splishsplash : you say you have irregular cycles. How long can they be? You will typically get a positive OPK about 14 days before you get your period (give or take a couple days)
If you start testing on day 10 but your cycles can last 45 days, you might keep getting negatives until you get to day 30 or so.