Conception

5 DPO Symptoms: What Should You Expect?

Zoe Kaplan

Is there any sign of pregnancy at 5 DPO? You’re getting closer, but implantation hasn’t happened just yet. Here’s what to expect.

Published:

Jan 27, 2024

Est. Read Time:

Five days past ovulation, or 5 DPO, typically marks the end of the first “phase” of the two-week wait. It’s just a day early for implantation, but if the egg has been fertilized, it’s nearing the end of its journey down the fallopian tube. What does that mean for your symptoms, and will you be able to get any sense if you’re on the path to pregnancy? Here’s what you need to know.

What’s happening in my body at 5 DPO?

At 5 DPO, you’re in the luteal phase. The gland that formed from the ruptured follicle during ovulation, the corpus luteum, has secreted progesterone to thicken the uterine lining. This increase in progesterone occurs whether or not the egg has been fertilized, and can cause a range of different symptoms similar to early pregnancy symptoms.

If the egg has been fertilized, it travels down the fallopian tube as the first days past ovulation go by. By 5 DPO, it becomes a blastocyst, or a ball of cells. This ball of cells floats around the uterus until it’s implanted around 6 DPO.

5 DPO Symptoms

Because the zygote (fertilized egg) hasn’t implanted just yet, you aren’t likely to feel any symptoms that can confirm pregnancy at 5 DPO. Instead, 5 DPO symptoms likely occur because of your body’s response to ovulation and hormonal changes.

Mild cramping: Cramping that you’ve experienced from ovulation until now may persist, still caused by your body’s response to the release of the egg. This cramping will likely be light.
Mood swings: While progesterone is elevated the most after ovulation, there’s an increase in estrogen, too. Fluctuations in estrogen can lead to mood changes, meaning you may experience quick changes between different emotional states.
Breast tenderness: At 5 DPO, breast sensitivity or fullness might become more apparent as progesterone is still elevated.
Spotting: While rare, you may experience some spotting or discharge, likely due to the rupture of the follicle during ovulation. At 5 DPO, this probably isn’t implantation bleeding just yet.

Any 5 DPO symptoms you have will likely be mild and caused by increased levels of progesterone and even estrogen during this period, not signs of pregnancy.

Will I know if I’m pregnant at 5 DPO?

While you may experience more or heightened symptoms at 5 DPO as progesterone is elevated, these symptoms can’t confirm pregnancy at this stage. At 5 DPO, the zygote has become a blastocyst and has reached the uterus, but likely won’t start the process of implantation for at least another day. It’s still too early to predict or detect pregnancy, but you’re now well on your way into the two-week wait.

What’s next? Continue your journey with Oova’s DPO two-week wait guides:

About the author

Zoe Kaplan is a writer and content strategist passionate about creating content that helps people navigate the world a little more easily. Zoe has worked across verticals, from women's career development to reproductive health. You can check out more of her work at zoeakaplan.com.

Sources

Gudipally P & Sharma G. (2023). Premenstrual Syndrome.
Rossant J & Tam P (2022). Early human embryonic development: Blastocyst formation to gastrulation.

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About the Oova Blog:
‍Our content is developed with a commitment to high editorial standards and reliability. We prioritize referencing reputable sources and sharing where our insights come from. The Oova Blog is intended for informational purposes only and is never a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before making any health decisions.

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