Ovulation is when the ovaries release a mature egg, and it happens around the 14th day of your menstrual cycle. Although the average cycle is about 28 days long, some people have slightly longer or shorter cycles.
Once the egg is released, you’ll either become pregnant or get your period. The latter occurs when the egg dies (after just one day) and is shed by the body, along with the uterine lining.
During ovulation, three specific hormones reach peak levels: luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and follicle-stimulating hormone. They’re responsible for triggering the release of an egg each month.
Progesterone levels spike right after ovulation, and this change in hormones can lead to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. These include breast tenderness, nausea, fatigue, cramps, headaches, food cravings, and bloating. Progesterone production stops around 10 days past ovulation. Your period should then start around 14 or 15 days after ovulation.
After ovulation, you may experience various symptoms of PMS, whether or not you’re pregnant. If these PMS symptoms disappear at about 10 DPO, you’re probably not pregnant and a test may be unnecessary.
If your period doesn’t come when expected and you’re experiencing potential signs of early pregnancy, it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test.
After fertilization, implantation usually happens between 6 and 10 days past ovulation. When you’re pregnant, your body secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a substance that pregnancy tests can detect in your urine (you can use our online hCG calculator to track your hCG levels at home if it turns out you are pregnant). Since hCG levels increase around the date of your missed period, waiting until then to take a pregnancy test will give you the most reliable results. One thing to keep in mind is that some tests are more sensitive than others, and results could be inconsistent.
While they don’t necessarily indicate pregnancy, some common early-pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue, cramps, breast tenderness, and nausea could pop up after ovulation.
If you decide to take a test and get a negative result but still miss your period, consult with your health care provider.
They’ll try to determine the exact cause of these symptoms. In rare cases, these symptoms could indicate an ectopic pregnancy or another medical complication.
If you are pregnant, you’ll likely experience the following symptoms:
Increased levels of progesterone can trigger fatigue, nausea, and constipation, among other things. If you’ve been feeling unusually exhausted, engaging in relaxing activities could help you regain energy. Go for leisurely walks or spend time engaging in your favorite hobbies.
Mild cramping and a dull pressure in the lower abdomen are often early signs of pregnancy. To alleviate the pain, start exercising more, drink plenty of water, get soothing massages, and practice good sleep habits. If your cramps become severe, be sure to visit your health care provider.
Elevated hormone levels can also significantly impact your digestive system. Progesterone is notorious for slowing down digestion as it relaxes smooth muscles throughout the body. This, in turn, leads to occasional gas, constipation, and bloating.
Similarly, a spike in progesterone in the first trimester might cause backaches by softening the supporting discs and ligaments of your back. This is how your body naturally prepares itself for pregnancy and childbirth.
Both PMS and early pregnancy are marked by tender or swollen breasts due to increased blood flow to tissues in this region.
Once again, progesterone is the number one culprit, producing nausea and vomiting. When coupled with gas, bloating, and constipation, it can create a loss of appetite.
Many people feel nauseous when they’re pregnant thanks to their sensitivity to certain odors like perfume or cigarette smoke. Even the slightest whiff can trigger intense discomfort.
Another common symptom in the first trimester is frequent headaches that are brought on by hormonal surges and excessive blood flow.
Yes, it is. Certain types of tests are capable of detecting pregnancy five full days before your first missed period. That means you might actually see a 10 days past ovulation BFP (big fat positive).
It’s possible to get a 10 DPO BFN (big fat negative) after experiencing early pregnancy symptoms. These might include:
If you’ve been trying to conceive and have some of the above symptoms approximately 10 days past ovulation, take a pregnancy test. Blood hCG tests are more sensitive than urine hCG tests and can deliver more accurate results at this early stage. If you receive a 10 DPO BFN, take the test again at 11 or 14 DPO, when hCG concentrations should be higher.
“PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome).” NHS Choices, NHS, 20 Apr. 2018, www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-menstrual-syndrome/.
“Pregnancy Week by Week First Trimester.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 22 Dec. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/basics/first-trimester/hlv-20049471.
“Pregnancy Test Information.” Cleveland Clinic, 21 June 2017, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9703-your-guide-to-pregnancy-tests.
“Menstrual Cramps.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 8 Apr. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menstrual-cramps/symptoms-causes/syc-20374938.
