6 DPO Symptoms: What to Expect and When to Test

If you are trying to get pregnant, you know exactly what it’s like to scrutinize every little ache, pain, and random craving in the hopes that it is an early sign of pregnancy.

And while you might have to wait a few weeks to know for sure, there is still a possibility that symptoms like cramps, nausea, and fatigue may be related to implantation and early pregnancy – even as soon as 6 days past ovulation (6 DPO).

Here’s a closer look at what’s happening in your body at 6 DPO, potential symptoms you might experience, and when the appropriate time to take a pregnancy test is.

What is happening to your body at 6 DPO?

6 days past ovulation (DPO) is generally a turning point during the mysterious two-week wait as it is usually the first day implantation can happen, although that is not very common.

At 6 days past ovulation, an egg travels down the fallopian tube, after which the egg’s meeting with a sperm results in fertilization. The blastocyst begins multiplying quickly and prepares for implantation – a key period when the egg adheres to the lining of the uterus. 

It is important to understand that pregnancy only happens when a fertilized egg is implanted into the uterus’s wall. It is possible around 6 DPO, but a more appropriate implantation timeline is between 8-10 DPO. This means that the accuracy of pregnancy tests at 6 DPO is not very much. A study revealed that implantation happened between 8-10 DPO for 84% of women. 

6 DPO pregnancy symptoms

It is important to note here that 6 DPO symptoms of pregnancy are very similar to those that many women experience in the second half of their menstrual cycle. The only way to know for certain that you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test at the right time.

Cramps

Implantation cramping is one of the most common early signs of pregnancy that some women may experience as early as 6 DPO. These cramps typically feel similar to premenstrual and menstrual cramps, with many women often mistaking early pregnancy cramps for their period and vice versa.

If you are pregnant, the culprit behind these 6 DPO cramps might be your fertilized egg implanting itself onto your uterine lining. Alternatively, stress and anxiety about getting pregnant may also be the cause of your body’s abnormal cramping and/or digestion issues.

If you do find yourself over analyzing and stressing over every single ache or cramp in your body, try your best to take a time-out, relax, and find ways to distract yourself from these overwhelming (and unhelpful) thoughts.

Nausea

Nausea is another very early symptom of pregnancy that can be experienced at the time of implantation. This might even be accompanied by constipation and/or indigestion and is likely caused by an increase in the hormones human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone, and estrogen – the hormones your body begins to produce after implantation.

Nausea at 6 DPO should not be confused with morning sickness, which doesn’t typically begin until weeks 4-9 of pregnancy.

Fatigue

You may also find yourself feeling extra fatigued, tired, and worn-out at the 6 DPO milestone. Like other early pregnancy symptoms, this can be caused by hormonal fluctuations and your body making the necessary preparations for a baby.

While you don’t necessarily need to overthink these feelings of tiredness, it’s important to remain in tune with your body and take time to rest when you need to rest.

Tender breasts

Another symptom that you may experience at six days past ovulation (6 DPO) is breast tenderness. Early pregnancy hormones are most likely to blame for this discomfort, with many women claiming that their breasts feel swollen and sensitive to the touch.

If you do not typically experience tender breasts before or during your period, there are a few things you can do to ease the pain. This includes investing in a comfortable bra and trying to avoid touching your breasts.

Food cravings

It is also possible for food cravings to begin around the time of implantation due to the influx of pregnancy hormones. Beyond craving peanut butter or something with a bit of spice, you might even find yourself hating foods that you usually love and loving foods that you usually hate!

Giving in to a craving or two is relatively harmless. However, try your best to stick with your pre-pregnancy diet to ensure that your body is a safe and healthy place for a baby to thrive.

Can you test for pregnancy at 6 DPO?

If you are wondering about testing for pregnancy at 6 DPO, while you can test this early, the chances of getting an accurate result are slight. It is crucial to understand which hormone is measured when you test for pregnancy and how much of it should be present when you get accurate results. Also, to know how many days it takes to reach the desirable levels. Let’s go!

When an egg implants, it begins producing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone, which is detected in your urine by home pregnancy tests.

6 DPO is considered too early for an accurate pregnancy test because most at-home pregnancy tests detect hCG levels at least at 25 mlU/mL. It generally takes several days for your body to build up this much hCG hormone concentration, even if the implantation has happened at 6 DPO. 

If you have a 28-day cycle, then it is best to wait 12-15 days past ovulation to take a home pregnancy test because, at this point, hCG will be enough to get detected.  

A study found that hCG production nearly doubled every day in the 7 days after implantation, though there was increased variability from person to person.

6 DPO and negative pregnancy test (BFN)

We’re all human and sometimes we just can’t help but let our curiosity get the best of us. If this is you – and you’ve gone ahead and taken a pregnancy test at 6 DPO only to receive a BFN – don’t be discouraged! There is a possibility that your fertilized egg is still in the process of implanting itself onto your uterus.

Since it takes some time for hCG to reach the level a home pregnancy test can detect, BFN at 6 DPO is normal. However, most individuals get a BFN at 6 DPO even if they are pregnant because, in the majority of cases, implantation still has not happened yet. And even after the implantation takes place, hCG levels take several days to elevate.

So, if you have a BFN at 6 DPO, don’t feel bad. You still have a chance. Retest after a missed period. It will give a more accurate result. You can connect with Mira Hormone Health Clinic for Fertility, our data-driven fertility practitioners provides personalized conceiving journey support in often overlooked areas such as hormonal imbalances, exercise, nutrition, gut health, stress management, and sleep quality. 

6 DPO and positive pregnancy test (BFP)

Although rare, it is still possible to receive a BFP at 6 DPO. This means that your pregnancy hormones are rising and you might be pregnant. However, given the fact that it is so early, it’s best to wait at least until your missed period before taking another at-home test to get a more accurate answer.

The chances of getting a BFP at 6 DPO are so small, because even if you get a positive result, it is possible that you may have miscalculated your ovulation days, and it is much later than 6 DPO. Women may also receive a false positive due to menopause, fertility medications containing hCG, or ovarian abnormalities.

So, if you have received a positive at 6 DPO, it is a good idea to confirm the test a week later when the levels of hCG are high enough to give accurate results. If you’d like to know as soon as possible, your doctor may be able to run a blood test that measures the amount of hCG in your blood. These tests are more sensitive than urine tests and can be taken as early as 6 DPO. Read more about day-by-day DPO symptoms here.