Equate OPK, first timer here!

[djbryan94]

I just took this equate opk and very new to this. I’m approximately 20 days into my cycle (long cycles, 5-6 weeks). I know it’s not positive because it’s supposed to be darker than the control, but does this mean I’m close to ovulation? How much lighter do these things get?

 

[doggylover]

I’ve used opks a lot, and also have quite long, irregular cycles, so have see it all with them!

In my own experience, my opks don’t get gradually darker until they hit positive. They are up and down throughout my cycle. In my last cycle I got some close to positive, and then negative again, and the day before my true positive it was extremely light, “very” negative if you like. Then next day, darker than control.

So it won’t necessarily get darker and darker. It may fluctuate. The info graphic below shows some various types of surges and the matching opks. The best way to catch your surge is to test often, up to twice a day when you think it’s coming, and look out for other signs leading up to ovulation too (such as ewcm)