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When you’re trying to conceive, reaching 15 DPO is a golden milestone.
You’ve made it through that nerve-wracking two-week wait. And by now, you’re wondering whether there’s a baby on board or if Aunt Flo is just running late.
You might be analyzing every little change in your body, searching for early pregnancy symptoms. Nausea and sore boobs may be enough to spur on a happy dance.
It’s an exciting time. But also a stressful one.
Yet, knowing what to expect makes it all easier. So let me give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about 15 DPO.
What Happens at 15 DPO?
By the time you reach 15 DPO, you may have picked up on some pregnancy symptoms. That’s because, at this point, implantation is already a done deal.
Implantation is when the fertilized egg attaches itself to your uterine wall. It can happen anywhere between 6 to 12 days past ovulation. But for most women, implantation happens around 8-10 DPO.
During this time, some women experience implantation bleeding. This typically happens around 10-14 days after conception.
Implantation bleeding tends to be light and doesn’t last long. Some women only notice a pink tinge on their toilet paper. Other women don’t experience any bleeding at all.
Learn More : Implantation bleeding Vs Periods | What Does Implantation Bleeding Look Like?
By 15 DPO, you may have also noticed some mild cramping, known as implantation cramps.
Implantation cramps are like menstrual cramps but often have a dull, aching pain. Some women also describe feeling pricking, pulling, or tingling sensations. But keep in mind, not all women will experience this symptom either.
Once an embryo implants, it cues a slew of hormonal changes.
Estrogen and progesterone steadily rise. But the biggest change is the embryo starts producing the hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone.
This is the hormone home pregnancy tests detect to give that highly coveted Big Fat Positive.
At 15 DPO is Your Period Considered Late?
Not exactly. The luteal phase, or the phase between your ovulation to your next period, is usually 12-14 days long.
So by 15 DPO, you should have gotten your period if you aren’t pregnant. That means 15 DPO marks the first day of your missed period.
But in some cases, the luteal phase can last anywhere between 9-16 days. Since many women don’t have cycles that run like clockwork, this phase may keep changing.
This can make tracking your ovulation difficult if you have shorter, longer, or irregular cycles.
Luckily, using a fertility monitor like Inito can help take the guesswork out of your ovulation.
15 DPO Symptoms: What to Expect
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of 15 DPO symptoms – let’s get one thing clear. Just as every woman’s body is unique, so are your signs of early pregnancy.
Some may notice pregnancy symptoms early on around 10 DPO, commonly when implantation happens. For others, signs of pregnancy may show up earlier or much later.
So, if you’re not experiencing early pregnancy symptoms at 15 DPO, don’t lose hope. A Big Fat Positive could still very well be in your future.
Here are some signs of pregnancy you might notice at 15 DPO:
- Bleeding or spotting: Implantation can cause some light bleeding similar to a period. It can last anywhere between a few hours to a couple of days.
- Cramping: After implantation, you may also notice some mild abdominal cramps. They may feel like menstrual cramps, but not as painful.
- Sore breasts: Rising progesterone levels can make your boobs feel tender and more sensitive to touch. Your breasts may also swell, and your nipples may appear darker.
- Fatigue: Growing a new baby requires massive amounts of energy. You may feel tired or even downright exhausted.
- Nausea: Rising hCG levels may leave you feeling queasy or lead to vomiting. Although known as “morning sickness” this symptom can happen any time of day.
- Headaches: As your body adjusts to hormonal changes, you may experience some headaches.
- Frequent urination: In early pregnancy, your body requires extra fluids, which can give your kidneys a workout. Don’t be surprised if you need to run to the bathroom more often.
- Back pain: The ligaments in your body stretch and become softer in early pregnancy to prepare your body for childbirth. This may cause your back to ache.
- Sensitivity to smells: Around two-thirds of pregnant women report having a heightened sense of smell.
- Increased basal body temperature (BBT): Your body’s BBT naturally rises when you ovulate and remains high until your period arrives. But if the egg is fertilized and you become pregnant, your BBT stays steady.
Can I Take a Pregnancy Test at 15 DPO?
Yes. 15 days past ovulation is not too early to take a pregnancy test. Remember, typically implantation happens between 8-10 days past ovulation.
So if you’re pregnant, at 15 DPO, a fetus has been cozy in your womb for around a week.
Once an egg implants, your body gets the signal to start producing hCG – the hormone pregnancy tests check to see if you’re pregnant.
Most home pregnancy tests can detect even small amounts of hCG. And in early pregnancy, hCG levels can climb as much as 50% each day!
So, by the time you’re at 15 DPO, you have a good chance of getting an accurate test result.
But here are some tips to make sure testing goes as smoothly as possible:
Always use your first morning pee. This is when your hormone levels will be at their highest.
Check the box beforehand to make sure the test has not expired.
Make sure you wait the correct number of minutes before reading the results. Otherwise, you could get a false positive or a false negative.
What Does a Faint Line Mean?
It could mean a couple of things. A faint line at 15 DPO could mean that you’re pregnant, but your hCG levels are still a bit low.
Other times, a faint line may be what’s called an evaporation line.
Evaporation lines can happen if you let a pregnancy test sit too long before reading the results. That’s why it’s crucial you follow the instructions to a tee.
Learn More : How to tell the differences between an evaporation line and a faint line on a pregnancy test?
If you check the test within the suggested time frame and you see a faint line, you’re likely pregnant. Wait a few more days to give your hCG levels a chance to build, and then retest.
If that faint line has turned into a Big Fat Positive – then it’s time to celebrate!
I Tested Positive, But Have No Symptoms…
No worries. 15 days past ovulation is still very early in pregnancy.
Some women notice signs of pregnancy as early as 8 DPO. But for others, pregnancy symptoms may not turn up for several more weeks.
So, if you’re symptom-free for now – try not to stress.
You can always test again in a few days to ease your mind. Or you can visit your healthcare provider and get a blood test.
If your period arrives a few days after testing positive, that may be a sign of an early miscarriage. If this happens, contact your healthcare provider right away.
What If I Test Negative at 15 DPO, But Still No Period?
If you take a pregnancy test at 15 DPO and get a negative result, you could still be pregnant. So, hang in there.
Every woman’s body is unique. And each pregnancy is unique as well.
If your implantation day happened later than the norm (8-10 DPO), your hCG levels may be too low for the test to detect.
As hard as it is, try to be patient and wait a few days before retesting. That’ll give your hCG levels time to rise enough to give you a positive result.
If several days pass, your period still hasn’t come, and you’re still getting negative results, visit your healthcare provider.
Although rare, some women don’t get a positive test result from home pregnancy tests. If you’re one of them, you may need a blood test to confirm you’re pregnant.
Takeaways
- By 15 DPO, some women experience signs of early pregnancy, such as bleeding and cramping.
- 15 DPO marks the first day your period is officially late.
- If you take a home pregnancy test at 15 DPO, you have a good chance of getting an accurate result.
- If you get a negative result at 15 DPO, you may still be pregnant. Give your hCG levels a few days to rise and retest.
- If you get a faint line on a home pregnancy test at 15 DPO, you may be pregnant – but your hCG is still a bit low. Test again in a few days.
