When to start using OPK's?

[princessCharlotte]

I always start testing from CD8 and have see the pattern so far.

it is best that you start tracking for at least 3 months first before actual attempt if you want to know O date.
otherwise, every 4 days method is recommended

[GlitterMouse]

Thanks PrincessCharlotte for your advice. I will probably struggle to chart for at least 3 months beforehand as my first attempt is May/June. I really want to get on it as I'm 38 now. I've been exercising and doing LE hard and have lost about 21lbs so far. My cycle has been all over the place, maybe because of this and I didn't want to stress myself out too much with charting etc. I am a bit of a 'see how it goes kinda girl!' Will buck up my ideas from now though

[atomic sagebrush]

I do not want ANYONE tracking for 3 months before TTC (unless you are not actively TTC right then for other reasons). There is no benefit to swaying from tracking cycles for months in advance. You do not need to know your O day and it changes anyway. People who get all worked up over knowing thier O day for ages in advance are sadly disappointed when they start to sway and their cycle goes bonkers which happens about 87% of the time.

[GlitterMouse]

Thanks Atomic, that makes me feel a lot better. I am going to have a look at my cycle this month, with a view to maybe ttc in May and if not then, definitely June. I dipped a toe in testing my temp etc before I conceived DS1. Must admit, it was a half hearted attempt and we were very lucky to conceive with no problems. I have made a conscious decision to remove myself from as many stressful situations as I can. I am a worrier and have heard you and lots of other ladies say that testing can be stressful. I'm going to be lighthearted about it-DH and I love an experiment just out of interest (geeks!) and if its a no go we will happily do E4D.

[maidentomother]

I recommend starting on CD8. David brand OPKs (pink handled strips in pink text packets) are the best cheap strips I've found over here. I've heard Superdrug own brand are good. Unfortunately, Wondfo aren't available here (the rare ones offered have all been fakes to my knowledge).

I also really like the ClearBlue Advanced Digital OPK (NOT the regular digitals, those don't work for me at all), particularly for women with erratic O day/cycle length, like you and I. I have to use it carefully and the tester sticks are expensive, but I get a lot more warning (usually 5 days in advance) and clearer, more reliable results than I do with strip OPKs.

[GlitterMouse]

I recommend starting on CD8. David brand OPKs (pink handled strips in pink text packets) are the best cheap strips I've found over here. I've heard Superdrug own brand are good. Unfortunately, Wondfo aren't available here (the rare ones offered have all been fakes to my knowledge).

I also really like the ClearBlue Advanced Digital OPK (NOT the regular digitals, those don't work for me at all), particularly for women with erratic O day/cycle length, like you and I. I have to use it carefully and the tester sticks are expensive, but I get a lot more warning (usually 5 days in advance) and clearer, more reliable results than I do with strip OPKs.

Thanks for the info maidentomother. You must have read my mind as I am struggling a bit to get the wondfo. I've also been reading about the fake ones. Wondfo are expensive on Amazon UK, far more than Amazon US, working out about £1 per test, which is what I have been paying for my Tesco/Sainsbury's own brand anyway. As I have some of those in already and I need to start testing tomorrow I think I will plough on until I find a cheaper and reliable solution.

I will look into the clearblue ones you recommended.

[coralsky]

I always used these ones until they started looking close to positive, and then I used clear blue digital (the pink ones, not advanced) to confirm with the smiley. That way I was only using 2-3 CBs per cycle and it worked out a lot cheaper.

50 x One Step Highly Sensitive 20mIU Ovulation / Fertility Strip Tests (Wide Width). These are identical to what we supply to the NHS: Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

Good luck xx

[maidentomother]

I think the Tesco ones are okay.

coralsky, I am not a fan of those OPKs. I have never gotten a dark let alone positive OPK on them.

[GlitterMouse]

Coralsky, I love your name! Coral is my absolute fave colour. Yours too? Coral dust to us both!!

Thanks very much for your suggestion. I may as well give them a go as they are v.cheap and apparently are used by the NHS?? I will heed your warning though Maidentomother. I'm trying to be as laid back about this process as I can be!

[coralsky]

Well maybe I was just lucky but I used them for well over a year, and always found them to be pretty consistent and reliable, esp considering the price. As I said though, once it got close to positive I would then confirm with a digi to be sure... but after the first couple of months I rarely needed more than 2 digitals per cycle, and often only 1.

But I know everyone is different, so maybe you just need to try and see. If the lines are not clear enough for you, then of course it's not worth the £ savings if they are going to create stress! xxx

Ps. Glitter mouse I love your avatar! x