How often should I ovulation test?

Question

I'm about to end my period in the next day. I've never tested before. Should I start around cycle day 9 for a 30 day cycle (which my last cycle was) like it suggests on the box or sooner? If there's no line at all can I skip testing the next day or could I miss a surge in that short time?

Answer

I usually start around 9/10 dpo. I have a 30 day cycle. Honestly you could test early and later in the day. Sometimes the lh surge is really short and you could miss it if you skip a day. The test has to be as dark or darker than the control line to be a positive :) Good Luck!!

Answer

Starting around CD 9 sounds right. Test daily even if there's no line to make sure you don't miss anything. If you notice it's getting close start testing twice a day so you're sure to catch it. A lot of times I see ones that *might* be positive and *might not* so twice daily helps. Also remember that a second faint line is common and it's only truly positive when the lines are the same color.

Answer

Thanks, ladies, I just assumed the way it works is that the LH would come on gradually, not abruptly, and so it wouldn't be possible for there to be no line one day and a line as dark as the control line the next. But maybe  wrong. I don't mind buying more tests if it means I am closer to a BFP this month.