5 DPO Pregnancy Symptoms: Is It Too Early to Test?

5 DPO pregnancy symptoms: is it too early to test?

Unfortunately, 5 DPO is often too early to reliably test for pregnancy. While it’s understandable that you may want to take the test, it’s important to know that it may not give you an accurate result. 

The majority of pregnancy tests let you know if the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone is present and detected in your urine or blood. In case of a pregnancy, hCG is produced only after implantation by the cells, which then form chorion and, later, the placenta. Following implantation, this hormone increases in the body, usually around 7 to 12 DPO. And while implantation may take place early on, 5 DPO is just a tad too early to show positive results with these types of pregnancy tests. 

There is also the possibility of a false positive result. This false positive situation can arise in cases where certain medications contain the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone, when a woman is going through menopause, or when there is an issue involving the ovaries.

Many experts recommend waiting at least 11 DPO to take blood tests to detect hCG hormone levels, and 12–14 DPO for urine tests. A blood test at your doctor’s office is the most reliable method. However, at 5 DPO a pregnancy test may still show a negative result if the body has not yet built up detectable levels of hCG (around 1,500 to 2,000 mIU/mL).

While you shouldn’t let these factors discourage you, you’ll likely find that it’s best to wait to perform a test until after the first day of your missed period to avoid possible disappointment or heartache. 

5 DPO symptoms if you’re pregnant

At 5 DPO, many pregnancy tests aren’t exactly trustworthy — but you can watch out for the following 5 DPO symptoms that might suggest whether you’re potentially pregnant or not. Of course, not everyone experiences the same symptoms at the same time. While some women may notice these changes on a moderate to mild scale, others (in fact, the majority) of women may not observe any of these 5 DPO symptoms. The 5 DPO symptoms can also be caused by hormonal fluctuations, such as variances during pre-menstruation or ovulation. In other words, they may not confirm pregnancy, but can indicate a potential pregnancy.

Implantation 5 DPO

Women are born with a set number of eggs. Every month, the average adult woman loses 1000 eggs — unless one of them contributes to implantation and, thus, a new fetus or baby.

A woman has about 6 days per cycle where her chances of becoming pregnant are high, and this is due to the fact that sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for about 5 days while an egg lives for 24–36 hours after ovulation. Ovulation usually happens two weeks before your next period. It’s the time when the egg is released from one of the ovaries into the fallopian tubes, and will remain there for approximately 24 hours. Whether or not you become pregnant depends on the frequency and time you have sex.

Implantation 5 DPO is about to happen, as it usually takes place about 7–12 days after fertilization. If the sperm has reached the egg and fertilized it, the cells of the zygote start multiplying, creating a group of cells referred to as a blastocyst.

The blastocyst makes the journey through the fallopian tubes and these cells continue to multiply on their way to the uterus. Once in the uterus, the blastocyst attaches to the uterine wall, its inner lining called endometrium, allowing the blastocyst to access vital nutrients to continue to grow and thrive. 

At this stage, pregnancy has occurred and the blastocyst is beginning to develop into a fetus.

As a result of implantation, about 25% of women experience mild bleeding that’s often lighter in color and flow than menstrual blood. Slight bleeding early on in pregnancy is quite common, but if bleeding occurs later in pregnancy, it may point to more serious problems like an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage.

5 DPO cramps

5 DPO symptoms can involve mild cramping, and you may feel these cramps in your pelvis, low back, or abdominals. 5 DPO cramps appear as another consequence of implantation. Uterine cramps are the body’s reaction to implantation of a fertilized egg, which is a foreign body for your uterus.

Nausea

5 DPO pregnancy symptoms can also include nausea and vomiting. For many moms-to-be, morning sickness occurs throughout the first trimester. Most women don’t experience nausea until a few weeks into their pregnancy, so don’t panic if you aren’t experiencing it yet. Every pregnancy is different, and the absence of certain signs or symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t pregnant. 

Mood swings

During pregnancy, the body is flooded with pregnancy hormones. You may feel emotional or moody. And during the first few weeks of pregnancy, women experience the greatest hormonal fluctuations. At 5 DPO, it’s entirely possible that you may start to experience these mood swings. 

Food cravings

Food cravings are another common 5 DPO symptom. You may have a strong desire or urge to eat specific foods. Yet just as common as food cravings, you may also experience food aversions and some foods may cause you to feel nauseous. 

5 DPO pregnancy testing

A 5 DPO pregnancy test frequently shows a negative result. As explained above, your body may not have detectable levels of the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone — at least not yet. For the most accurate results, it’s best to wait until after the week of your first missed period. 

5 DPO: Negative pregnancy test

A negative pregnancy test 5 DPO does not necessarily mean you aren’t pregnant. A negative result indicates that either there aren’t high enough levels of hCG in your body, the test wasn’t performed correctly, or you, in fact, are not pregnant. If you haven’t started or reached the first few days of your next period and you had a negative pregnancy test result, it’s best to wait a few weeks before testing again. 

Furthermore, if you’re experiencing fertility issues, book an appointment with your doctor to review your options. Infertility may be due to thyroid issues, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, hormonal imbalances, an anovulatory cycle, stress, excess weight, intense exercise, eating disorders, and more. Many of these problems are treatable.  

If you’re experiencing the above 5 DPO pregnancy symptoms, you may be pregnant or it may indicate a sign that something else is occurring. These symptoms may also fall under premenstrual symptoms or ovulation fluctuations. This can be a confusing and exciting time. Discuss your options with your doctor, and acknowledge that it may be best to wait a little longer to confirm whether you are pregnant or not.