MemberIsn’t it rare to ovulate that early? I took the test for the first time today to just make sure I’m ovulating in anticipation of embarking on our TTC journey. It was negative so I’ll retake it everyday this month, just wondering why the test instructs you to start so early in the cycle?
Membercalliekalico2 : It depends on how long your cycle is and your period lasts. Some women have a 5-6 day period and some have much shorter, like 2-3 days. It isn’t uncommon to get a few days of positive OPK prior to your actual ovulation (and OPK does not confirm ovulation, but ‘predicts’ it to happen within 12-48 hours after a positive test). If you knowingly have a 40+ day cycle, then testing immediately after your period is pointless because you won’t ovulate until around 14 days before your next expected AF.
For example, I would have a 2-3 day period, but ovulate around day 11. It wasn’t uncommon for me to get a positive OPK by CD9. Someone else might also ovulate around day 11 – but have a period that lasts 5-6 days. If they weren’t testing the day after their period ends, then they might miss the surge.
I think a general rule of thumb is that starting OPK around CD 7 or 8 would give accurate results, based on a 28 day cycle.
MemberAs your cycles progress and you notice other signs of ovulation, you will have a better idea of when you should start with the OPKs. The first time I used them I started on day 10 and didn’t get a positive until CD21, but it really helped me zero in on those other signs. This cycle I started testing on CD12 and got the positive much earlier than expected on CD16, so I was glad to have starred when I did. It’s a process!