When do you use OPK's?

Makuahine · 10-26-2005, 01:13 PM

Ok - I have the CPEasy dohicky - but I never got around to buying the strips, so I am thinking of heading out to get some OPKs for this cycle.

Here is my question - every cycle for the last three cycles - I have O'd on CD 13. This AM, I got up, went potty and discovered EWCM everywhere LOL, it's CD9.

Is it to late to use one now? How many do you use? What does it show? *sigh*

I can't temp - I just don't think I can, its not possible for me...when I am temping, I can't sleep, I find I wake up 5-6 times a night worrying about temping and getting 3-4 hours of sleep in a row...and making sure I take it by 7AM. I temped for a month or so and it killed me!

So, any advice on OPK's would be great...I don't have a clue as to how they work!

**BC-Maura** · 10-26-2005, 01:26 PM

Hi there: If you ovulate on cd 13, then you are probably surging anywhere between cd 11 and cd 13 ... so I would start OPKing today or tomorrow (so that you can see the negative, which you should get today/tomorrow, turn to a positive on cd 11, 12 or 13). Usually you just need to use one a day, although some women who want to pinpoint their surge (because of IUIs or whatever) use 2 a day. You need to use them at the same time each day (very important) so pick a time that you know you'll be able to do it consistently from day to day. Some people recommend that OPKs be done in the afternoon -- or at least not the morning -- because LH surges tend to take place in the morning and so if you take test just before the surge and then not again until the next day, you will be catching your surge at the tail end. That said, I tested at all different times of the day (but within a given cycle, always the same time) and never had trouble detecting my surge.

For brands, I liked ClearPlan Easy and that was the brand recommended by my OB and RE.

Good luck and if you are having ewcm, BMS! Keep us posted

+++++++++++++++
Maura

awbaby · 10-26-2005, 01:27 PM

It might be a little late this cycle but you never know. you can get them for pretty cheap so it might be worth a try. i always think i know when i O but i am ushually surprised by the test and O later than i actually thought i would. I hope that makes sense. About the temping i started temping 3 months ago and at first it drove me crazy two but now i am to the point it dosn't bother me and i no longer wake up in the night waiting to temp. Also I am not so devistated by a wacky temp cause i have seen them so many times before. I think you should try the opk if not this cycle in the future it is just nice to know for sure you O. Good luck this cycle!
awbaby

Makuahine · 10-26-2005, 01:55 PM

Quick question: BMS'ing every day = Good or Bad?

Ferret Mommy · 10-26-2005, 02:02 PM

Good!

Makuahine · 10-26-2005, 02:04 PM

So, if we're BMS'in every day - do we *need* the OPK?

jules75 · 10-26-2005, 02:11 PM

I find that doing the OPK tells me more "for sure" when I am going to O so I know when to expect AF. I have had regular cycles for the last 6 months so this is a great tool for me. I am only cd12 today and I started OPKing yesterday because last month I O'd cd15 and I didn't want to miss it- since I was Oing on cd17 for 5 cycles I was a little suprised by the early O last cycle. Good luck!!

Jules

Ferret Mommy · 10-26-2005, 02:18 PM

Well, if you do not temp, you will not see your rise post O. If you use OPK and get a ++ than you will O within 12-36 hours ( I believe is the timeline) What if you do not BMS long enough and miss it?? I would be worried about that!!

Makuahine · 10-26-2005, 02:30 PM

Well, since its CD9, I'm worried that it's to late...*sigh*

I really need to be better about all of this charting and testing stuff...LOL

**BC-Maura** · 10-26-2005, 02:30 PM

Hi: With no male factor, BMS every day (leaving 24 hours in between sessions) is recommended ... as for whether you still need to OPK if you are BMSing regularly: the short answer is not really, since it won't change what you're doing (unless you would possibly stop BMSing too soon or not start soon enough) ... but it is worthwhile to make sure you've surged ... and it can help pinpoint O so that you can figure out how long your LP is and make sure that's not a problem ... and help you know when to start expecting AF -- or testing!

Good luck and keep us posted+++++++++++
Maura

10-26-2005, 01:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Makuahine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 102	When do you use OPK's? Ok - I have the CPEasy dohicky - but I never got around to buying the strips, so I am thinking of heading out to get some OPKs for this cycle. Here is my question - every cycle for the last three cycles - I have O'd on CD 13. This AM, I got up, went potty and discovered EWCM everywhere LOL, it's CD9. Is it to late to use one now? How many do you use? What does it show? sigh I can't temp - I just don't think I can, its not possible for me...when I am temping, I can't sleep, I find I wake up 5-6 times a night worrying about temping and getting 3-4 hours of sleep in a row...and making sure I take it by 7AM. I temped for a month or so and it killed me! So, any advice on OPK's would be great...I don't have a clue as to how they work!

10-26-2005, 01:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
BC-Maura Board Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 12,945	Hi there: If you ovulate on cd 13, then you are probably surging anywhere between cd 11 and cd 13 ... so I would start OPKing today or tomorrow (so that you can see the negative, which you should get today/tomorrow, turn to a positive on cd 11, 12 or 13). Usually you just need to use one a day, although some women who want to pinpoint their surge (because of IUIs or whatever) use 2 a day. You need to use them at the same time each day (very important) so pick a time that you know you'll be able to do it consistently from day to day. Some people recommend that OPKs be done in the afternoon -- or at least not the morning -- because LH surges tend to take place in the morning and so if you take test just before the surge and then not again until the next day, you will be catching your surge at the tail end. That said, I tested at all different times of the day (but within a given cycle, always the same time) and never had trouble detecting my surge. For brands, I liked ClearPlan Easy and that was the brand recommended by my OB and RE. Good luck and if you are having ewcm, BMS! Keep us posted +++++++++++++++ Maura Last edited by BC-Maura; 10-26-2005 at 01:34 PM.

10-26-2005, 02:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
BC-Maura Board Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 12,945	Hi: With no male factor, BMS every day (leaving 24 hours in between sessions) is recommended ... as for whether you still need to OPK if you are BMSing regularly: the short answer is not really, since it won't change what you're doing (unless you would possibly stop BMSing too soon or not start soon enough) ... but it is worthwhile to make sure you've surged ... and it can help pinpoint O so that you can figure out how long your LP is and make sure that's not a problem ... and help you know when to start expecting AF -- or testing! Good luck and keep us posted+++++++++++ Maura Last edited by BC-Maura; 10-26-2005 at 05:44 PM.

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10-26-2005, 01:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
awbaby Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 388	It might be a little late this cycle but you never know. you can get them for pretty cheap so it might be worth a try. i always think i know when i O but i am ushually surprised by the test and O later than i actually thought i would. I hope that makes sense. About the temping i started temping 3 months ago and at first it drove me crazy two but now i am to the point it dosn't bother me and i no longer wake up in the night waiting to temp. Also I am not so devistated by a wacky temp cause i have seen them so many times before. I think you should try the opk if not this cycle in the future it is just nice to know for sure you O. Good luck this cycle! awbaby

10-26-2005, 01:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
Makuahine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 102	Quick question: BMS'ing every day = Good or Bad?

10-26-2005, 02:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ferret Mommy 10000-15000 post ace of hearts Join Date: May 2005 Location: In My Place Posts: 10,907 Blog Entries: 42	Good!

10-26-2005, 02:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Makuahine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 102	So, if we're BMS'in every day - do we need the OPK?

10-26-2005, 02:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
jules75 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: oregon Posts: 1,546	I find that doing the OPK tells me more "for sure" when I am going to O so I know when to expect AF. I have had regular cycles for the last 6 months so this is a great tool for me. I am only cd12 today and I started OPKing yesterday because last month I O'd cd15 and I didn't want to miss it- since I was Oing on cd17 for 5 cycles I was a little suprised by the early O last cycle. Good luck!! Jules

10-26-2005, 02:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ferret Mommy 10000-15000 post ace of hearts Join Date: May 2005 Location: In My Place Posts: 10,907 Blog Entries: 42	Well, if you do not temp, you will not see your rise post O. If you use OPK and get a ++ than you will O within 12-36 hours ( I believe is the timeline) What if you do not BMS long enough and miss it?? I would be worried about that!!

10-26-2005, 02:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
Makuahine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 102	Well, since its CD9, I'm worried that it's to late...sigh I really need to be better about all of this charting and testing stuff...LOL