I bought this test only after doing much research online and looking at reviews here and on other sites. The negative reviews really almost swayed me into not trying this product; but, I researched more and then closely looked at exactly what the negative reviews were complaining about. So, I bought it, used it, loved it, waiting to see if this month is my BFP. Here's a rundown of this ovulation kit and here's hoping that I can answer some of the questions and concerns that others might have that are considering this product. This information is also available on the website, and in the instructions. This kit is designed to test over a number of days. In this way, it will catch the rise in estrogen levels that precede the LH surge (ovulation). A blank circle is low fertility. A flashing smiley face is high fertility. This means that the meter is showing a rise in estrogen levels in your urine. Most women will have 2 days of flashing smiley faces before the peak fertility is reached. Peak fertility is a smiley face. Once peak is reached, the meter shows the result for 48 hours, which is a reminder to you that your best chance to conceive is the next 48 hours. Now, a lot of confusion seems to center around the flashing smiley. Generally, most women will see this for 2 days before peak fertility. That's a general statement. Each of us is different and unique and your result may be different. If you get a flashing smiley face for more that 9 days, then there are a couple of things to consider. One: did you start testing too early? If you test too early, estrogen is the leader of the pack for the time around your period and testing too early will pick up that higher estrogen level. There is a clear chart of when to test. It will also line up with any ovulation/fertility app or fertility prediction chart. Testing too early won't give you a headstart, it'll give you a headache. If you find that you are testing during that time frame and NOT seeing LH surges, then you would want to talk to your doctor. Two: we don't always ovulate every cycle! I know that's the last thing we want to hear when we are peeing on a stick, taking temps, performing midnight fertility dances under the full moon and so on; but, it's true. Third: sometimes the LH surge is so small that the meter can't pick it up. Sometimes the meter will go from LOW to PEAK from one day to the next. This typically means that you started testing too late for the meter to catch the high fertility days and it only caught the LH surge. Next cycle, start at the recommended cycle day to begin testing and this should give you the low-high-peak progression that you are looking for. Once that static smiley face is reached, your LH surge has been detected and you are at your highest chance of conception. The meter will show that smiley face for 48 hours as a reminder to you that you are at peak fertility. Once the smiley face goes away, the fertile window has closed. You CAN'T test with the meter after peak fertility is detected. Well, you can think that you are. You can throw a test strip in there, not look to see the symbol that says "ready to test" and proceed to test tap water, dr pepper, sam adams, kool aid or whatever you feel like testing and the meter will still show peak fertility because it ISN'T ACTUALLY TESTING. If you want to test again after peak fertility has gone (that means the display is blank and you get the new cycle symbol and the ready to test symbol when you insert the stick) then, and only then, can you test again. I don't know why you would need to test again, but if you absolutely feel the need to, you could. But, chances are, your ovulation is long past. I saw a couple of posts where this test kit was compared to wondfo or other test strips. Those test strips can be pretty tricky to read. Just because you have two lines there, that doesn't mean you have an LH surge. For those types of tests, the test line must be as dark as or darker than the control line. If you prefer to use a lot of sticks, those would be your best economical strips to use. I would recommend that you place them in a notebook or on a notepad with the cycle day and time of test, glued in place, and watch the progression. That will show you how best to look for the dark line that tells you that your LH surge is on its way. But, those strips can make you want to tear out your hair if you don't do that, because it's really hard to catch the pattern if you don't save the strips. I used those for several months. They are messy and difficult to read. The clearblue test is easy and mess-free. I also hear (read) a lot of complaints about the price, and this one confuses me. Yes, it's about $40, but it should last 1-2 cycles (it might make me 3) and this cost is far less than the cost of an infant when you figure in medical costs, clothing, diapers, etc. It's a good test. It really works. I got 2 days of low, 2 days of high and then peak. I highly recommend it. But, read ALL the instructions and begin testing on the day that they recommend, or you might find yourself frustrated and confused. It is different that most of the other OPK out there, and I wonder if that causes a lot of the confusion.
