[runtotorun121]

Hi,
I apologize in advance for the lengthiness of this post, and I appreciate your time in looking over my information and question.

This is the first month my husband and I have used an ovulation test. We purchased the urine stream type. In the papers that come with the tests it reads that a positive result is when "the color and intensity of the Test Line is 'similar to or darker' than the reference line."

I have been so frustrated trying to read these tests, and I am wondering if someone can please give me their experience or knowledge.

Here is what we have seen so far (and we have worked out a system of 1-5 charting for the 'pinkness' on our tracking paper): My cycle began late August 1. After my period stopped either late August 5 or early August 6 we went ahead and began testing just so we could see a month of tracking and in case I am an early or late ovulator (I have previously taken birth control pills for 18 years so I don't really have a good sense of my cycling).

Then on August 10 I saw a darker pink line than it had been, and I was waiting for it to be even more significant (I don't really know what to look for since I have no comparison or baseline of testing before), but the next day the line was very faint again. So August 9 and 11 the test line was pale and faint, and by the 11th, in retrospect, I thought I might have ovulated early because that was the "similar" to the reference line (but not exactly) as the directions read.

It seemed very dark compared to the light faint line on the day before and the day after.

However, If I do fit into having the group of women with more typical ovulation times in the middle of their cycle the ovulation calendars/predictor charts suggested I would ovulate on or around August 15. That being said, my line continued to be quite pale on the 11th, 12th, and 13th. Then, I tested both in the morning at around lunchtime and both times on the 14th I got another time of dark pink lines that certainly looked to me like they were very "similar" to the reference line - not darker, but maybe as dark? Visually, and maybe because it seemed to fit with timing on the "typical" averages, it struck me, and I felt more confident that maybe THAT was the surge.

So on the next day, the 15th, the line was once again faint and pale. At that point I thought, "Aha. That must have been correct.". . .until this morning. <sigh> Again, we just thought we would test the heck out of this month to try to get a feel for how the results would look and tell us what to look for. But at this point we are more confused than ever because this morning on the 16th we have another dark pink line that is not darker than the reference line, but I would say it is "similar" if not the same color.

Now here is something I do not know and can't find in the test directions or interpretations at all: While the line today seems to be comparable in color darkness to the test color lines on the 14th, it seems to be a little bit thinner of a line. Does anyone know if the width or thickness of the line matters in reading the testing???

On the 14th I tried to photograph the test line so we would have it for comparison later, but the camera/flash/etc. does not allow for a good quality photo <another sigh>, so we are trying to go on recollection. . .

I know we may seem very insane about something that should be self-explanatory and simple like reading this test, but we are very aware of the timing factor for us since I am already 38 1/2 years old. We were just married, and all the information we read describes trying to conceive at my age very gloomy, and then the death-knell for natural conception at 40, which isn't that far away. I don't anticipate we will be able to afford fertility treatments such as in vitro, etc. that the articles and studies suggest is the most likely way you can become pregnant after 40 years old. . .so this is why we are trying to get some grasp on how to make the best effort in the shortest amount of time possible before we might find fertility problems/issues.

Whew! Sorry again for the lengthiness, but I want to make sure I have given enough details that someone might get a good picture and have some ideas.

Thanks in advance for you time and reply,
Kristie

[jenjean]

welcome to this forum, it is a great place for info. as for your question on the o sticks, my re said if the line is postively darker then the day before i have o'ed. on a 28 day cycle my re said to start testing around day 6. i hope this helps a little.

[hope26]

!!! Keep asking questions...the ladies here are great at helping you figure things out. If anything you can meet people who are going through similair issues!

On to your ? I too was VERY confused with OPK (ovulation predictor kits), my lines never really got darker or as "wide" as the reference line, but because I am charting my temp and CM (cervical mucous) I was sure of when I ovulated. The line on the day of my ovulation was the same "dark" like the reference line, but was not as wide or thick as the reference line if that makes sense. So when looking at the line at first glance I would've thought it not be a +...however, due to the other things I was doing to track my fertility signs I realized that I actually O'd that day! I'd like to recommend a book to you to read...it's SUPER informative and I've really learned a lot from it, at least you will have something to reference to..."Taking Charge of Your Fertility", by Toni Weschler. Check you local library and see if they have it. It can help to explain simple fertility signs and ways to indentify when you ovulate...you could throw those OPK out the window and save some money in the process. GOOD LUCK to you on your journey! to us all!

[jencat215]

Whenever I do an OPK test the most I see is a line about as dark as the test line. It definitely is darker than the day before, then the pink gets fainter. Also, around that time (time I O), I know I am O'ing cause I get an incease in CM. If you are not sure when you ovulate, you can always ask your RE to do a follie check mid cycle. I am going for one at CD14. I really don't like the OPK tests that much and I work for the company that makes 95% of the market share of them!!!

[mrsrodgers]

I hate the OPK tests....I have never been able to get much of any kind of line on them...one RE told me to only use Clear Blue Easy (they are cheaper to buy at costco) and another RE told me not to bother with them....also, some people they don't work for....I think maybe reading the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" is a great idea that Hope26 had....it might help save some money on the kits and maybe be a little bit stressful for you!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!

[Lil Solara]

This is a great board, with alot of helpful ladies and best of all, ladies who are going through the same thing!

OPK's can be very confusing! Just to clarify, are you testing at around the same time everyday, as well as holiding liquids and urine for at least 3 hours? LH is tricky and anything can dilute it.
Maybe a Fertility Monitor would be easier for you to use?

[fitafita]

Originally Posted by runtotorun121

Hi,
I apologize in advance for the lengthiness of this post, and I appreciate your time in looking over my information and question.

This is the first month my husband and I have used an ovulation test. We purchased the urine stream type. In the papers that come with the tests it reads that a positive result is when "the color and intensity of the Test Line is 'similar to or darker' than the reference line."

I have been so frustrated trying to read these tests, and I am wondering if someone can please give me their experience or knowledge.

Here is what we have seen so far (and we have worked out a system of 1-5 charting for the 'pinkness' on our tracking paper): My cycle began late August 1. After my period stopped either late August 5 or early August 6 we went ahead and began testing just so we could see a month of tracking and in case I am an early or late ovulator (I have previously taken birth control pills for 18 years so I don't really have a good sense of my cycling).

Then on August 10 I saw a darker pink line than it had been, and I was waiting for it to be even more significant (I don't really know what to look for since I have no comparison or baseline of testing before), but the next day the line was very faint again. So August 9 and 11 the test line was pale and faint, and by the 11th, in retrospect, I thought I might have ovulated early because that was the "similar" to the reference line (but not exactly) as the directions read.

It seemed very dark compared to the light faint line on the day before and the day after.

However, If I do fit into having the group of women with more typical ovulation times in the middle of their cycle the ovulation calendars/predictor charts suggested I would ovulate on or around August 15. That being said, my line continued to be quite pale on the 11th, 12th, and 13th. Then, I tested both in the morning at around lunchtime and both times on the 14th I got another time of dark pink lines that certainly looked to me like they were very "similar" to the reference line - not darker, but maybe as dark? Visually, and maybe because it seemed to fit with timing on the "typical" averages, it struck me, and I felt more confident that maybe THAT was the surge.

So on the next day, the 15th, the line was once again faint and pale. At that point I thought, "Aha. That must have been correct.". . .until this morning. <sigh> Again, we just thought we would test the heck out of this month to try to get a feel for how the results would look and tell us what to look for. But at this point we are more confused than ever because this morning on the 16th we have another dark pink line that is not darker than the reference line, but I would say it is "similar" if not the same color.

Now here is something I do not know and can't find in the test directions or interpretations at all: While the line today seems to be comparable in color darkness to the test color lines on the 14th, it seems to be a little bit thinner of a line. Does anyone know if the width or thickness of the line matters in reading the testing???

On the 14th I tried to photograph the test line so we would have it for comparison later, but the camera/flash/etc. does not allow for a good quality photo <another sigh>, so we are trying to go on recollection. . .

I know we may seem very insane about something that should be self-explanatory and simple like reading this test, but we are very aware of the timing factor for us since I am already 38 1/2 years old. We were just married, and all the information we read describes trying to conceive at my age very gloomy, and then the death-knell for natural conception at 40, which isn't that far away. I don't anticipate we will be able to afford fertility treatments such as in vitro, etc. that the articles and studies suggest is the most likely way you can become pregnant after 40 years old. . .so this is why we are trying to get some grasp on how to make the best effort in the shortest amount of time possible before we might find fertility problems/issues.

Whew! Sorry again for the lengthiness, but I want to make sure I have given enough details that someone might get a good picture and have some ideas.

Thanks in advance for you time and reply,
Kristie

My advice is to call the 800 number on the OPK box and ask them to define a positive for you in regard to line thickness- what I have read at peeonastick.com- different companies have different answers to that question. some say the line has to 50% of the control line, an RE at my office said even a sliver of a line the same color and intensity is +, after I missed an ovulation due to misinterpretation of a 'sliver of a line' I promised myself I would use the 800 # for each individual product. good luck!

[lilac]

This is a great place for information and support.

On the opks, I feel your pain! I use them long before I think I will o, because my o day jumps around a bit. Mine never get darker than the control line, but sometimes they will be just as dark, and that's my surge. They don't work at all for some women, so you might want to ask your dr. Also, before I surge, the lines somtimes do become darker and then fainter and then darker again.

My RE tells me that it's best to use midday or afternoon urine, and that first morning urine isn't as useful for these tests. He has me empty my bladder after breakfast and not drink much of anything until I test. I empty my bladder again around 10AM and then again at noon, when I do the test. Don't know if that will help, but that's what he told me to do, and it's worked for me.

Good luck!

[mrspotatohead]

Have you tried the new digital tests? They are much less confusing. They are a little more pricey, but I really like them. You should however get a line that is clearly darker than the control line. I would also recommend charting like the girls above said. It would help you figure out what was going on.