how reliable are opk's?

[kerri2628]

hi :) had mirena removed after 4& 1/2 years, my husband and i have been ttc since middle of november 2012. im curious if ovulation dip strips are reliable? i haven't had any positive results yet and now im worried the mirena had an affect on my ovulation. not sure what to think at this point and im on cycle day 3, how soon after my period ends should i start using strips?

[kerri2628]

Got my bfp on February 6th, how are you?

[kerri2628]

I'm now 9 dpo, trying not to get my hopes up. I'll be doing an hpt in the 7th as well :)  according to opk's I ovulated on cd 15. Wish you luck and I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get your BFP!

[KeeLolo]

Hi, I have been seeing my ob trying to detect why I have not gotten pregnant!! He prescribed me Clomid. I did not conceive the first time which was Dec 2012 so we tried again this cycle. He said with Clomid most women tend to ovulate on day 16 of their cycle. So I bought a OPK and to be sure day 16 exactly I ovulated!!! So with that being said they are very reliable. So I am supposed to take HPT Feb5 or 7.... Scared because we been trying so long 9yrs If this doesn't work he is referring me to a specialist. Keep your head up and good luck!!!  

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
If you were my patient, I would advise you to use the ovulation predictors on cycle days 11-16.  We usually count the FIRST day of your period as cycle day one--it is easier that way.  The OPKs are fairly reliable, but I have had many patients who got negatives but were having regular periods.  I would suggest asking your doctor for a progesterone level (blood test) on cycle day 21 to see if you are ovulating.  That is a more reliable test.
Good luck!
Dr B