5 DPO Symptoms: What to Expect and When to Test

When you are meticulously tracking and logging the details of your TTC journey, it’s easy to become hyper-aware of any changes in your body. Two weeks can feel like an eternity, and when you’re hoping to see a positive result on a home pregnancy test, it is so tempting to feel like everything is a “sign”.

Even if you know the science behind ovulation, it’s important to understand what’s actually happening in your body at 5 days past ovulation (5 DPO). In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know at 5 DPO including what’s going on inside your body, potential symptoms you may experience, and whether or not it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test at this time.

What does 5 DPO mean?

5 DPO is simply a shorter way of saying “five days post ovulation”. The phrase is commonly used among couples who are tracking ovulation in order to get pregnant. While it is possible to technically be pregnant at 5 DPO, it is not possible to test for pregnancy at this time.

For more information on what to expect in the days following ovulation, check out our article DPO Symptoms: What to Expect From 1 to 12 Days Past Ovulation. 

Can you feel any symptoms of pregnancy at 5 DPO?

No. Technically, it is not possible to experience early pregnancy symptoms at 5 DPO. This is because early symptoms of pregnancy are associated with implantation, which can only happen as early as 6 DPO. 

However, as progesterone levels rise after ovulation, it’s common to experience symptoms that are very similar to those related to early pregnancy. This could be due to fertilization, but it could also simply be symptoms of the luteal phase. 

Symptoms at this time are typically mild to moderate in nature, and they can feel a lot like the typical symptoms associated with hormonal fluctuations. This includes cramping, constipation, fatigue, mood swings, nausea, and bleeding.

However, it’s important to note that everyone’s body is different. While some women do feel like they are experiencing early pregnancy symptoms as early as 5 DPO, others do not. It is still possible to be pregnant either way. 

What is happening to your body at 5 DPO?

Like every other month, your body is busy preparing for implantation by thickening the uterine lining in order to accept a fertilized egg. This is made possible by the corpus luteum, which drives the production of progesterone. 

If an egg becomes fertilized, progesterone production continues so that it can support your pregnancy and the development of a fetus. More specifically, at 5 DPO you can expect your egg to be making its way to the uterine wall. 

If an egg isn’t fertilized, the corpus luteum shrinks in a few days and progesterone levels decline. This in turn stops the lining of the uterus from thickening, and the shedding of that lining leads to your next period. 

What are the pregnancy symptoms at 5 days past ovulation?

Due to rising progesterone levels, early symptoms similar to pregnancy at 5 DPO can feel a lot like regular period symptoms or PMS. In fact, most women won’t even be able to tell the difference since many of the symptoms overlap. Here is a brief overview of the most common symptoms you may experience at 5 DPO if you are pregnant. 

Cramping

On average, implantation usually occurs between 6 to 12 DPO. So at 5 DPO, your body is likely on the verge of undergoing this process. Some women experience symptoms during implantation like cramping and light brown or red discharge, but this is not common and affects only about 30% of women.

Like period cramps, implantation cramps originate in the uterus and many women describe them as a mild to moderate tingling, pricking, or pulling sensation in the lower abdomen or back.  As the name implies, implantation cramps occur when the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining. 

It’s important to bear in mind that period cramps are not typically felt until 14 DPO or beyond, so any cramping before then may be a symptom of implantation. 

Bleeding

It may seem counterintuitive, but bleeding can be an early sign of pregnancy.  Lighter in flow and color than a typical period, spotting, bleeding or brown discharge in those early days happens in almost 15-25% of pregnancies and is not usually a cause for concern. 

Bleeding may be due to the implantation process or something else like cervical irritation, but should last no longer than a few hours to a day or two and is usually very light in flow.

Food Aversions or Cravings

Changes in your sense of taste or smell can occur very early on. You might suddenly find that you’re turned off by foods you typically enjoy, or vice versa, you could be craving certain items more than usual. These food aversions or cravings are thought to be linked to rising hCG, progesterone and estrogen levels. The changes can be subtle, like an aversion to coffee or a heightened sensitivity to pungent smells, which can trigger nausea.

Dizziness

Some women report feeling dizzy or lightheaded in early pregnancy. This can be due to the combination of increased blood volume and fluctuating blood sugar levels. The body is adjusting to support the developing embryo, which can cause temporary changes in circulation. If you’re experiencing dizziness, ensure you’re eating small, frequent meals and staying well-hydrated. In some cases, resting and avoiding sudden movements can also help alleviate these sensations.

Constipation

Hormonal changes in early pregnancy, like the increase in progesterone, can cause disruptions to your digestive function.  Progesterone is responsible for relaxing the smooth muscles, like the walls of your uterus, but it can have knock-on effects. As levels rise, the smooth muscles in your digestive tract are also affected, and you may begin to notice changes in your digestion like bloating or constipation.

Mood Changes

Any pregnancy brings with it a rush of hormones flooding the body as changes get underway for a growing baby. As progesterone and estrogen rise dramatically, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) will also be added after implantation and then you’re in for a rollercoaster of hormonal and physiological changes. While these hormones work in the background to aid the development of your pregnancy, an unfortunate side effect could be the classic irritability or mood swings associated with early pregnancy.

 

Nausea

While the exact cause is unknown, hormonal changes are also strongly suspected in the tell-tale nausea that is associated with early pregnancy.  As many as 80% of women experience this common symptom and it can begin very early on.

Although most women don’t experience nausea until weeks into their pregnancy, the American Pregnancy Association reports that 4 out of 5 women will experience pregnancy-related nausea before a missed period, so some women may experience it as early as implantation happens.  However, this also may be due to higher levels of progesterone in the luteal phase.

Fatigue

Blame hormones again, but soaring progesterone levels in early pregnancy can contribute to feelings of extreme fatigue and tiredness.  One of the most common symptoms of early pregnancy, unusual tiredness and exhaustion may be noticed as early as 1 week after conception. As hormone levels rise and your body gets to work, you may feel exhausted even if you are getting enough sleep.

What to do if you have no symptoms at 5 days past ovulation?

Since many of the early signs of pregnancy can also be similar to an impending period, it can be hard to differentiate between the two. And even though you may be pregnant, you may not be experiencing symptoms this early.

It’s important to note that having no symptoms at 5 DPO is not a cause for concern or even abnormal. Most women won’t begin to experience pregnancy symptoms until 1-2 weeks after a missed period, and even though some symptoms are common, you may experience none at all.

When should you test?

Waiting to take a pregnancy test might feel like torture. However, taking a test too early can lead to false-positive or false-negative results – which is frustrating and unhelpful!

Even if implantation has happened at 5 DPO, it is simply too early to take a pregnancy test at this time. This is because home pregnancy tests rely on detectable levels of the hormone hCG that only appears in blood and urine after approximately 6-12 DPO. This doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t pregnant, it just means that you may need more time for hormone levels to build.

What does it mean to get BFP at 5 DPO?

A positive result on a home pregnancy test means there’s enough of the hormone hCG to be detected in your body. In rare cases, this could be due to medications, a problem with the ovaries, or menopause rather than pregnancy.  Due to the timeline of conception, it is too early to get a reliable BFP at 5 DPO. A BFP at 5 DPO can also signal incorrect testing, so we recommend taking another test in 1-2 days.

Can you get BFN at 5 DPO and still be pregnant?

A BFN at 5 DPO doesn’t mean you aren’t pregnant, it simply may mean that it’s too early to tell. This is because your hormone levels may not have risen enough yet to be detectable by home tests. In short, a 5 DPO BFN is unreliable at best.

If you do get a BFN but haven’t started your period, it’s best to wait a little longer and take another test. Ideally, you should wait until the first day of a missed period to take a pregnancy test for the most accurate results.

FAQs about 5 DPO