Ovulation predictor kits: are you getting the info you need?

So what’s the deal with OPKs? Are they really worth it? Will they help you identify ovulation more easily?

Though many people choose to use OPKs, either as additional information or as a sole mechanism of ovulation detection, they have many shortcomings.

• Expensive

• Only tell you an average of 36 hours before ovulation (generally).

• Do not tell you that ovulation has indeed happened. This is particularly an issue for those with high baseline LH (luteinizing hormone), which can be a big issue for those with PCOS or that are older.

• Can not read the surge for those who have a lower LH threshold associated with ovulation.

• OPKs do not give you a full picture of your fertility, only an idea of if you are ovulating.

There are now OPKs that measure other things (traditionally they measure LH), and some can be quite accurate, but generally with their increase in accuracy comes an increase in price.

While I do think that certain types of OPKs can be helpful, I see their real detriment in two aspects:

1.) They are too costly!

2.) They do not give an accurate body of knowledge about your fertility and hormonal health. It’s actually amazingly empowering to be capable of noticing on your own what your body is capable of doing.

Rather than buying an OPK, I would recommend taking a class in the sympto-thermal method of fertility awareness, which will run less than using OPKs overall and give you an accurate picture of your hormonal health by teaching you how to check two simple bio-markers daily.