Conception

7 DPO: Symptoms, Fertility, and Whether You Should Take a Pregnancy Test

Zoe Kaplan

By day 7 DPO, it’s possible the embryo has implanted. If you’re pregnant, will you start feeling symptoms? Here’s what to look out for.

Published:

Jan 27, 2024

Est. Read Time:

It’s been one week since you ovulated, or 7 DPO. Congratulations! You’re halfway through the two-week wait. At 7 DPO, it’s possible the blastocyst, or ball of cells, has implanted in the uterus and you might feel some symptoms. However, it’s still early days — whether you’re feeling symptoms doesn’t necessarily tell you whether you’re pregnant or not. Here’s what’s happening in your body at 7 DPO, 7 DPO symptoms, and whether you should take a pregnancy test at 7 DPO.

What’s happening in my body at 7 DPO?

At 7 DPO, if fertilization and implantation have occurred, the blastocyst is going through the early stages of embedding itself into the uterine lining. If you’re pregnant, your already elevated progesterone levels will remain elevated. Progesterone stays elevated when you get pregnant because the hormone helps maintain the early pregnancy, thickening the uterine lining for implantation and stopping you from ovulating.

Remember, it’s not as common for implantation to have occurred just yet; studies show that most implantation doesn’t occur until 8 DPO, but it is possible at 7 DPO. (Implantation can start as early as 6 DPO.)

If the egg wasn’t fertilized, you might start to feel premenstrual symptoms, often attributed to the changes in hormones during this time. In a regular cycle, progesterone and estrogen start to drop about a week before your period.

7 DPO Symptoms

At 7 DPO, symptoms could mean one of two things: early pregnancy or premenstrual symptoms. Unfortunately, many symptoms of both are similar. 7 DPO symptoms can include:

Mild cramping: Cramping can start just after a day of ovulation, due to the body’s reaction to the changes in your reproductive system. If implantation has occurred, though, you may notice a slight increase in cramping. Some women say that they feel cramping from implantation; remember, this is not a surefire indicator of pregnancy, and that no cramping doesn’t mean implantation hasn’t happened.
Spotting: Some women experience light spotting or a small amount of discharge around this time. It's important to note that spotting can have various causes—from hormonal changes to trauma—implantation bleeding is a possibility. Implantation bleeding will be light and more likely to be a pinkish brown color. However, it is not a definitive sign of pregnancy.
Breast sensitivity: Hormonal fluctuations persist, and you may still feel breast tenderness. This symptom is common in the latter part of the menstrual cycle, regardless of whether implantation has taken place.

Will I know if I’m pregnant at 7 DPO?

While 7 DPO marks a potential time frame for implantation, it's crucial to recognize that definitive signs of pregnancy may not be evident at this stage. Even if implantation has occurred, hormonal fluctuations during the luteal phase and premenstrual symptoms can mimic early pregnancy symptoms.

So, should you take a 7 DPO pregnancy test? It’s better to wait. A home pregnancy test won’t provide accurate results at this stage. Why? Pregnancy tests measure the amount of the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in your body. Your body only starts producing HCG after it’s implanted, and levels at 7 DPO would be too low at this stage since the egg was just implanted. You don’t want to dash your hopes on a negative test — because you might be pregnant, just the tests can’t tell just yet.

While the wait can be frustrating, don’t despair — in the coming days, you’re more likely to feel and get a better sense of if you’re pregnant. What should you expect? Follow along with Oova’s DPO 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

Betz D & Fane K. (2022). Human Chorionic Gonadotropin.
Wilcox A, et al. (1999). Time of Implantation of the Conceptus and Loss of Pregnancy.

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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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