OPK - is it really necessary to test twice a day?

[TrixieLox]

A few gals have recommended this but I only have 5 test strips in my Boots OPK so will run out! And anyway, surely if one day the test line is weak then the next day it's strong, that means you still have 24 hours to BD and have a chance of the spermies reaching the egg when it's released? I mean, to get a positive test after a negative the day before means the 24 hour to 36 hour still had a few hours left for BDing?

Make sense?

Anyway, my test line was a faint one, about half the density of the other line so think I'm about 2-3 days away from ovulating. x

 

[Arcanegirl]

Its not necessary to test twice a day, you can still get the surge just by testing once a day.
Some people prefer to test twice a day to have a more accurate idea when they ovulate.

 

[Jayne]

You should read this: https://www.peeonastick.com/opkfaq.html#12

In short, if you only test once a day, you might miss your LH surge. Good luck!

 

[Carolina]

i only tested once a day last month and always got negatives but my bloods i got done at the doctor said i am ovulating! Im about to run out of test so im think ill use the one ive got and just bd every other day!

 

[faith_may]

A few gals have recommended this but I only have 5 test strips in my Boots OPK so will run out! And anyway, surely if one day the test line is weak then the next day it's strong, that means you still have 24 hours to BD and have a chance of the spermies reaching the egg when it's released? I mean, to get a positive test after a negative the day before means the 24 hour to 36 hour still had a few hours left for BDing?

Make sense?

Anyway, my test line was a faint one, about half the density of the other line so think I'm about 2-3 days away from ovulating. x

After reading what you said, I wonder should I start testing at least once a day? (I hate not knowing like you all do,don't get me wrong, I get myself because I don't really know much about all this, I get so scare sometimes)

 

[TrixieLox]

You should read this: https://www.peeonastick.com/opkfaq.html#12

In short, if you only test once a day, you might miss your LH surge. Good luck!

I spoke to my stepbrother's wife today, she's a midwife. She said you only need to test once a day. Certain manufacturers say twice a day just so you buy more of their products. She said Boots and other high-profile brands only give you 5 sticks because their medical research suggests once a day is enough. She also said that you ovulate for 36 hours usually so a surge will be caught if you test once a day. BUT she did say that if you never seem to pinpoint a positive test, to buy more sticks and test from day 8 to day 20. PLUS she said THEN, if you still don't detect a surge, start testing twice a day, but only then. She also told me it takes most of the girls she sees about 6 months to conceive, sometimes more so if you conceive in under 6 months, you're a lucky lil gal (she actualyl said 'about 75%' took 6 months but she explained that girls in their teens / early 20s do tend to get PG quickly but those in their late 20s / 30s take a coupla months longer)! She told me to relax and only start looking into other ways to help us conceive next summer, if we still haven't conceived by then. Hope this helps. x

 

[TrixieLox]

Forgot to say, the midwife also reminded me that sperm last about 3 days, maybe more, so you shouldn't be relying wholey on OPKs anyway, and you should BD in the 2-3 days leading up the ovulation as the sperm needs to be waiting for the egg. She was quite funny and said 'you know we ladies don't like to be kept waiting and that's the same for our eggs.' So if you get a surge and only then BD, then that's not ideal. Start BDing when your lines begin to get darker. So usually, day 12-13 of your cycle is ideal. She did say that obsessing about it too much can make itm more difficult as it's not an exact science - she said it's a 'mystery of life' and if you respect that, than you have more chance. If you chart obsessively, you reply too much on it and don't go with teh flow. She said there's some theory that the female body knows when the right time to conceive is - just an instinct. So if you feel 'tonigth is the night' then follow that gut instinct.

 

[TrixieLox]

After reading what you said, I wonder should I start testing at least once a day? (I hate not knowing like you all do,don't get me wrong, I get myself because I don't really know much about all this, I get so scare sometimes)

I just wanted to use an OPK to check I was getting my guesses right regarding when I ovulate. Not all women ovulate on the 14th day before their period is due. But it looks like I do ovulate when I thought I did cos the line is getting stronger and stronger as my ovulation time approaches. I am also getting the usual symptoms of ovulating. If you are wondering whether to do it, maybe just go buy a cheap set online and have a go. Or get the Boots one (if you're from UK, can't remember) as it's £5 cheaper than the Clearblue one but basically the same. I always like to buy well known brands as I can trust them more than cheapie ones. But that's just me. x

 

[lynz]

i think it depends on the person aswell hun my friend tested mid morning got a positive tested again a few hours later and it was negative

 

[poppy]

I don't think twice a day testing is necessary. If you have the time and money to twice a day test, I suppose it can be reassuring seeing the dark line.

However, if you are getting quite dark lines and regularly BDing, the sperm will catch your LH surge, even if you don't 'see' it. It is usually recommended to test mid-morning or afternoon, as morning urine may be too concentrated to give you an accurate result (the opposite from the advice given for pregnancy tests - confusing isn't it!) and some research argues that you are more likely to get your LH surge in the afternoon. I read that a few times - not sure how accurate it is though.

Good luck anyway - testing once a day should be fine and a lot cheaper! A lot of women just go by EWCM and don't even use opks and still get preggers!