Ovulation Prediction Kits - 5 Answers to Your Questions About OPKs
If you are new to trying to conceive, you probably have many questions about Ovulation Prediction Kits or OPKs. Many couples that are trying to conceive use OPKs to help them. Below are some common questions and their answers:1. How does an OPK work?
OPKs, like home pregnancy tests, measure a hormone in your urine. The hormone measured is luteinizing hormone (lh). This hormone is always present in a woman's body to some degree. A woman's lh surges anywhere from 12 to 36 hours before she ovulates. The lh surge is what signals her body to release a mature egg. So, OPKs do what they say they will...the predict ovulation.
2. Should I use first morning urine?
First morning urine is not always the best to use for OPKs. Lh does not metabolize into you urine until later in the day. Around 2pm is usually the best time to test.
3. What type of test do I need to buy?
Both types of OPKs (midstream and test strips) work well. Test strips are more economical. You can usually purchase a large amount of the test strips for the same price you'd pay for the midstream tests. With test strips, you urinate in a cup and dip the strip for 10 seconds.
4. I see two lines. Does that mean I am going to ovulate?
OPK results are different than HPT results. OPKs will have two lines almost all of the time. Remember that you always have some amount of lh present in your urine. One line will be the test line. The other is the control line. A positive result is one that shows a darker test line than control line.
5. I got a positive result. Will I definitely ovulate?
The chances of ovulation with a positive OPK are high. This doesn't mean it will always happen. There are many factors that can cause a woman not to ovulate. One way to know if you have ovulated is to take your basal body temperature.
OPKs can be very helpful, especially when a woman's cycle is not regular. It helps take the guesswork out of finding your most fertile days.
Kathryn Sacane has been trying to conceive since August 2007 and has researched extensively about fertility and pregnancy. If you appreciated this article, please visit WantToBeAMommy.com for more information on about getting pregnant.
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