If you’re 10 DPO and your eyes are glued to the calendar, we feel you.

Is your period coming? Not coming? Can you test? Should you not?

And did someone change the laws of time? Why is everything moving so slowly?

Knowing that everyone has a different experience when they’re TTC, here is some of what you might expect at 10 DPO — this exciting, nerve-wracking, beautiful, confusing time.

In this article: 📝

What is 10 DPO?
What can I expect at 10 DPO?
Can implantation happen at 10 DPO?
Is 10 days DPO too early?
Can you test positive at 10 DPO?
What are 10 DPO symptoms?
How do you feel at 10 DPO?

What is 10 DPO?

10 DPO means 10 days post ovulation (also known as 10 days past ovulation or 10 days after conception).

DPO is an acronym used by those who are trying to conceive to track when they should take a pregnancy test.

Many people who are trying to conceive will have unprotected sex at the point of ovulation — when you’re at your most fertile (also known as your fertile window).

Then, at (usually) 14 DPO (14 days past ovulation), or roughly when your period is due to start, that’s the ideal point to take a pregnancy test.

Using the DPO method is a way of avoiding unnecessary disappointment or wasting pregnancy tests (after all, those things can be expensive!).

This is because your pregnancy may not show up as a 10 DPO positive pregnancy test (or BFP — big fat positive) for up to 14 DPO, due to rising hormone levels.

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What can I expect at 10 DPO?

Well, there could be one of two things going on.

One is implantation — this may have already happened, be happening, or be about to happen.

The other could be that you’re about 4-7 days away from your next period.

You may be feeling early pregnancy symptoms or notice signs that your period is on the way in the next week or so.

Unfortunately, sometimes, both of these can look very similar — downright identical. 🙄

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Can implantation happen at 10 DPO?

Yes, implantation usually happens somewhere between 6 DPO and 12 DPO, with the average being 8 to 10. [1]

So, does that mean that if you take a 10 DPO pregnancy test, you’ll get a reliable result?

Well, things are a little more complicated than that.

How common is implantation on day 10?

Implantation at 10 DPO is actually quite common — most implantations tend to happen between 6 and 12 DPO, so if you’re cramping or see some light 10 DPO bleeding, there’s a good chance it could be a sign that your little zygote is implanting.

The most common day of implantation is about 9 DPO, but it’s not always the case — some zygotes implant sooner, others later.

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Is 10 days DPO too early?

Probably not the answer you’re looking for right now, but it’s best to wait until you’re at least 12 DPO to 14 DPO before you test.

Pregnancy tests work by checking your pee for a hormone called hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin, if you want to impress your dinner guests) that is secreted somewhere around six days after fertilization. [2]

By this time, there’s a tiny bunch of cells in your uterine lining called placental cells, secreting this hormone.

By 10 DPO, you may not have sufficient amounts of the hormone in your system to get an accurate result.

Can you test positive at 10 DPO?

Wondering whether you could get a 10 DPO positive pregnancy test?

Well, because hCG might be present in your pee at this point (at very low levels), it’s possible to get a 10 DPO BFP — about 66% of positive pregnancy tests have been detected at 10 DPO (although that’s from user data, not medically-proven scientific data). [3]

On the other hand, a 10 DPO pregnancy test, before the hCG levels have built up, can also produce a false negative.

If you do see a faint positive at 10 DPO, consider testing again a few days later.

hCG levels roughly double every 48–72 hours in early pregnancy, so you’ll get a clearer picture soon.

So, at 10 days past ovulation (and around Day 24 of your cycle), you’re pretty much in the waiting room to find out whether you have a reliable BFN or BFP.

(We know, so many acronyms. Here’s a glossary if you need.)

How many DPO will a pregnancy test be positive?

Generally speaking, 12-14 DPO is the recommended time to take a pregnancy test, for the most accurate results.

This is because your hCG levels have built up (in the event of a positive pregnancy) enough to show up on a 10 DPO pregnancy test.

And if you see a 10 DPO faint positive, it can still be worth taking a test again in a couple of days.

It’s easy to misread a faint line on a pregnancy test, particularly if it’s an evaporation line or if the pregnancy test has expired.

Can you get a negative pregnancy test at 10 DPO and still be pregnant?

Yes, it is possible to have a 10 DPO negative pregnancy test but still be pregnant.

This is because your hCG levels may not have risen enough to be clearly detected on a pregnancy test.

That’s why it’s recommended to wait until the day after your missed period (usually 14 or 15 DPO) for the most accurate results.

So there is a chance that your 10 DPO BFN isn’t actually a BFN.

If I have a 10 DPO BFN, when should I test again?

Yes — it’s recommended to take a pregnancy test at between 12 DPO and 14 DPO for the most accurate result.

A 10 DPO negative pregnancy test doesn’t always mean that you’re not pregnant — it might just be that the hCG levels aren’t yet recognized on your pregnancy test.

Give it a couple more days and try again.

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What are 10 DPO symptoms?

If you are pregnant, you may have some symptoms at 10 days post-ovulation.

The problem is, they may look a lot like PMS symptoms — and appear at about the right time in your cycle.

So it’s often hard to trace them back to their source.

Plus many women can have no symptoms at 10 DPO and still go on to have a healthy pregnancy.

It just goes to show that there’s no one way to do this whole pregnancy thing.

Here are some of the most common 10 DPO symptoms ending in BFP, according to our Peanut mamas and moms-to-be:

Symptom	Why It Happens	Hormone(s) involved	PMS or Pregnancy Symptom?
Spotting (light bleeding)	Possible implantation bleeding when fertilized egg attaches to uterus	hCG (triggered only if a fertilized egg implants) and/or progesterone	More likely pregnancy (if light, pink, or brown), though rare PMS spotting can occur
Cramping	If it’s pregnancy, mild cramps can signal the embryo attaching to the uterine wall. For PMS, prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract to prep for your period. [4]	Prostaglandins and progesterone	Both (hard to tell without a test)
Breast tenderness	Right before your period, estrogen and progesterone can surge, making breasts extra sensitive. If pregnant, progesterone levels tend to stay higher to maintain the uterine lining, also leading to soreness. [5]	Estrogen and progesterone	Both (common PMS sign, also early pregnancy sign)
Fatigue	Rising progesterone has a sedative effect, which can wipe you out. Early in pregnancy, higher progesterone and initial hCG production can leave you totally drained.	Progesterone and estrogen (and possibly hCG if pregnant)	Both, but extreme fatigue leans more pregnancy
Nausea	hCG ramps up right after implantation, which can trigger queasiness or “morning sickness” (that can happen any time of day). High estrogen can also affect digestion and cause nausea.	hCG and estrogen	More likely pregnancy (common early sign)
Headaches	Fluctuating estrogen and progesterone can cause headaches in both PMS and early pregnancy. Rising hCG in pregnancy can further stir the pot and ramp up headache frequency.	Estrogen, progesterone, possible hCG	Both (though headaches can be common in early pregnancy)
Frequent urination	In early pregnancy, your body starts boosting blood flow, prompting your kidneys to work overtime. hCG can also irritate your bladder. During PMS, frequent urination is less common but can happen if you drink more fluids to ease cramps or headaches. [6]	hCG (if pregnant)	More likely pregnancy (starts fairly early for some)
Digestive issues (bloating, gas, constipation)	Progesterone slows down the digestive system—if you’re pregnant, it stays higher to help keep the uterine lining stable, often causing bloating. PMS also sees a progesterone rise (though for a shorter time if you’re not pregnant).	Progesterone	Both (PMS and early pregnancy can cause digestive woes)
Mood swings and irritability	Hormones can affect neurotransmitters like serotonin, impacting mood—cue weepiness, crankiness, or over-the-top joy. PMS mood changes are well-known; in early pregnancy, mood swings may feel more intense and unpredictable. [7]	Estrogen and progesterone	Both — IYKYK
Heightened sense of smell	Early pregnancy can make you suddenly very aware of scents, thanks to hormonal changes that affect the olfactory system. PMS might sharpen smell a bit, but typically not as strongly as pregnancy.	Estrogen and progesterone (and potentially hCG)	More likely pregnancy
Mild pelvic or lower back pain	With PMS, prostaglandins cause uterine contractions that can radiate pain to your back. In pregnancy, the uterus expanding and ligaments stretching can cause a similar dull ache, though usually a bit later.	Prostaglandins (PMS) or progesterone (pregnancy)	Both, though stronger backache is often a PMS complaint
Insomnia or restlessness	Sometimes PMS hormones can disrupt sleep. Early pregnancy anxiety (“Am I pregnant?!”) plus changing progesterone levels can also make it tough to get a good night’s rest.	Progesterone and cortisol (stress hormone)	Both
Increased appetite or food cravings	PMS cravings tend to lean sweet or salty, partly linked to serotonin dips. In early pregnancy, some folks notice out-of-the-blue cravings or aversions, influenced by hormones changing taste/smell perceptions. [8]	Serotonin and progesterone	Both

How do you feel at 10 DPO?

Now you know a bit more about what to expect at 10 DPO, here are some of our Peanut TTC community sharing their experiences with 10 DPO symptoms ending in BFP and negatives, so you know you’re not alone:

“I’m 10 DPO, I feel pregnant but test are negative… My uterus feels full and I am nauseous and I am not a nauseous person at all!! I am super tired and emotional!” ‒ Ebonie
“I tested at 10 DPO and got a BFN but tested again when AF didn’t show up and it was positive.” ‒ Nicky
“I had a no on 10 DPO but a positive on 11 DPO.” ‒ Ellie
“Im 10 DPO and still no period after being off birth control pill for a little over a month. I’ve had some signs the past week and a spiked temperature of 1 degree as of 2 days ago. Monday I had these twinges in my stomach and weird sensations. I have cramps but today is my first day of actual cramps. Not too bad though.” ‒ Liv
“10 DPO with incredibly tender boobs and some on-and-off cramping… Been TTC for almost 3 years.” ‒ Kirsty
“I’m 10 DPO, my boobs/nipples have been hurting like crazy so I finally tested this morning and got a BFP.” ‒ Haley
“I got my first ever BFP this morning, at 10 DPO. I’ve been feeling some cramping and was definitely nauseous this morning when I woke up. I thought a BFP would be the end of worrying, but it seems like it’s only the beginning!” ‒ Joanna
“I have started spotting 10 days after DPO. Feels like implantation bleeding with mild to heavy cramps and some clots.” ‒ Ratna
“I’m 10 DPO, see some very faint lines on the pregnancy test. I’m puking like crazy 🤢 And I’m having very light and random cramping. I normally cramp very heavily. Then at 17 DPO, had a much stronger positive line!” ‒ Leah
“I’m freaking out, 10 days DPO, the test came up really quick as positive on early detection.” ‒ Liz
“I’m having some milky white discharge at 10 DPO, accompanied by sore nipples, heavy boobs and dull cramps/twinges that keeps coming and going (pelvis, lower abdomen right above pubic bone, right side of abdomen). My left leg also has this tendency of cramping every now and then.” ‒ Basetsana
“I had a BFN at 10 DPO then my BFP at 12 DPO!” ‒ Claire

You may also be pregnant and experience no symptoms at 10 DPO at all.

There’s no single journey to pregnancy and mamahood.

And if you’re concerned about not having a positive pregnancy test or any symptoms at 10 DPO, know that you’re not alone.

If you want someone to talk to who’s going through their own TTC journey, you’re welcome to join our community on Peanut.

➡️ Read next: 11 DPO: Symptoms, Signs & What to Expect