If you’re trying to conceive, you’re probably pretty familiar with the TWW — the two-week wait between ovulation.
This seemingly eternal time has celebrity status because it’s when you wait to find out if you’re pregnant.
The good news is, at 11 days post ovulation, you’re more than ¾ done with the TWW!
You’re nearly there!
So let’s find out all there is to know about 11 DPO, with a little help from embryologist and fertility expert, Navya Muralidhar.
In this article: 📝
- What can I expect at 11 DPO?
- Can I take a pregnancy test at 11 DPO?
- Can you get a positive pregnancy test at 11 DPO?
- What are the symptoms of 11 DPO?
- What should I feel at 11 DPO?
What can I expect at 11 DPO?
So what’s going on at 11 DPO?
First, a quick science lesson.
Basically, your ovarian cycle is divided up into three phases:
- Follicular (before the egg is released)
- Ovulation (when the egg is released)
- Luteal (after the egg is released)
At 11 days post ovulation, you’re firmly in the luteal phase of your ovarian cycle.
Once your egg is released, the follicle that housed it turns yellow, closes up, and becomes a new structure called the corpus luteum.
Not only does it get a new name and a fresh look, but a new function too — releasing hormones that prepare the body for pregnancy.
Progesterone is the star here, with estrogen playing a supporting role.
If the released egg met up with an awaiting sperm, they may have joined forces to form a zygote.
The zygote’s job is to implant itself into the lining of your uterus (which it’s probably already done by this point) to begin its long journey to babyhood, starting with forming an embryo. [1]
If this happens, your body will start producing hCG, AKA the pregnancy hormone, which will signal to the corpus luteum that more progesterone is needed to keep the growing baby supplied with nutrients and oxygen. [2]
If the egg is not fertilized, it will be released with your next period.
Can I take a pregnancy test at 11 DPO?
Yes, you can take an 11 DPO pregnancy test, but you may not get the most accurate result.
It’s best to wait until the day after your next expected period — around 14 or 15 DPO, although it depends how long your luteal phase normally is — hence the two-week wait
The 11 DPO pregnancy test accuracy is about 42-81% accurate — there’s a big gap because it’s usually calculated by days until your next expected period, and people have different cycle lengths.
- 6 days before your next expected period: 25% accurate
- 5 days before your next expected period: 33% accurate
- 4 days before your next expected period: 42% accurate
- 3 days before your next expected period: 68% accurate
- 2 days before your next expected period: 81% accurate
- 1 day before your next expected period: 93% accurate
- The day of your next expected period: 96% accurate
- 1 day after your next expected period: 99.9% accurate
But there have been many of our moms-to-be on Peanut who take an 11 DPO test and see a strong or a faint positive line.
In fact, some data shows nearly 80% of women who went on to have a definite positive pregnancy test saw a line at 11 DPO. [3]
That would mean around 20% of people see an 11 DPO negative pregnancy test which then becomes a positive at 14, 15, or even 16 DPO.
In the end, there’s no definite answer for when to take a pregnancy test, but it is possible to get both a false positive and a false negative at 11 DPO — if you can, wait a few more days.
Can you get a positive pregnancy test at 11 DPO?
Yes, you can get an 11 DPO positive pregnancy test
But you can also get an 11 DPO BFN that becomes a BFP a few days later.
Pregnancy tests work by detecting the hCG hormone.
If you’re pregnant at 11 days post ovulation, you may or may not have sufficient hCG levels to give a positive result.
The good news is that hCG levels increase by about 50% a day in early pregnancy, meaning if you wait a few days, your test may be more accurate.
Somewhere in the region of 15 DPO (or the day after your next expected period) is a good, reliable benchmark.
What are the symptoms of 11 DPO?
Brace yourself: there are lots of 11 DPO symptoms that are easy to miss.
And it’s also just as likely to be 11 DPO with no symptoms and still be pregnant.
There’s a whole lot happening in your body during early pregnancy.
Hormones are shifting, your blood volume is increasing, and you are going through the beginnings of a physical transformation.
At 11 DPO, it’s possible that you could be feeling the effects.
Here’s some of what might be going on:
| Symptom | Why It Happens | Hormone(s) involved | PMS or Pregnancy Symptom? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotting (light bleeding) | You might notice a bit of spotting when a fertilized egg gets cozy and attaches to your uterus — implantation bleeding. | hCG (triggered only if a fertilized egg implants) and/or progesterone | More likely pregnancy (if light, pink, or brown), though PMS spotting can occur with low levels of progesterone in your luteal phase |
| Cramping | If it’s pregnancy, those mild cramps could mean the embryo is settling into your uterine wall. But if it’s PMS, blame prostaglandins — they’re the culprits making your uterus contract to get ready for your period. [4] | Prostaglandins and progesterone | Both |
| Breast tenderness | Just before your period, a spike in estrogen and progesterone can make your boobs super sensitive. If you’re pregnant, progesterone stays high to keep that uterine lining cozy, which can also lead to soreness. [5] | Estrogen and progesterone | Both |
| Nipples darkening | Hormonal changes can boost melanin production, giving your nipples a darker hue. | Estrogen and progesterone | Both, but more likely pregnancy |
| Fatigue | Progesterone’s got a real chill vibe — it can make you feel super sleepy. And if you’re pregnant, the combo of rising progesterone and that first hit of hCG can leave you feeling totally wiped out. | Progesterone and estrogen (and possibly hCG if pregnant) | Both, but extreme fatigue leans more pregnancy |
| Nausea | As soon as implantation happens, hCG starts ramping up — and that can bring on queasiness or “morning sickness” (which, let’s be real, can hit any time of day). High estrogen can also mess with your digestion and make you feel a bit nauseous. | hCG and estrogen | More likely pregnancy, but you might just be feeling a bit ill |
| Headaches | Those shifting estrogen and progesterone levels can bring on headaches, whether it’s PMS or early pregnancy. And if you’re pregnant, rising hCG can jump into the mix, cranking up the headache frequency even more. | Estrogen, progesterone, possible hCG | Both |
| Frequent urination | In early pregnancy, your body kicks up blood flow, putting your kidneys in overdrive — and hCG can make your bladder extra sensitive too. With PMS, needing to pee a lot isn’t as common, but it can happen if you’re sipping more fluids to help with cramps or headaches. [6] | hCG (if pregnant) | More likely pregnancy |
| Digestive issues (bloating, gas, constipation) | Progesterone can put your digestive system in slow-mo. If you’re pregnant, those higher levels stick around to keep the uterine lining in check, which often leads to bloating. During PMS, progesterone also rises, but only for a short stint if pregnancy isn’t on the cards. | Progesterone | Both |
| Mood swings and irritability | Hormones love to mess with your neurotransmitters, like serotonin, which can send your mood on a wild ride — tears, grumpiness, or random bursts of joy. While PMS mood swings are pretty standard, early pregnancy can take those emotions up a notch, making them feel even more unpredictable. [7] | Estrogen and progesterone | Both |
| Heightened sense of smell | Early pregnancy can turn your nose into a super-sniffer, thanks to hormonal changes messing with your sense of smell. While PMS might make you a little more sensitive to scents, it’s usually not as intense as the smell overload pregnancy can bring. | Estrogen and progesterone (and potentially hCG) | More likely pregnancy |
| Mild pelvic or lower back pain | During PMS, prostaglandins trigger uterine contractions, and that ache can spread to your back. In early pregnancy, a similar dull pain can pop up as your uterus starts expanding and ligaments stretch, though this usually kicks in a little later. | Prostaglandins (PMS) or progesterone (pregnancy) | Both, though more intense back pain is more likely to be PMS |
| Insomnia or restlessness | PMS hormones can mess with your sleep, making it harder to catch those Zs. In early pregnancy, changing progesterone levels and a busy mind can also leave you staring at the ceiling instead of snoozing. | Progesterone and cortisol (stress hormone) | Both |
| Increased appetite or food cravings | PMS cravings usually hit with a sweet or salty punch, thanks to those serotonin dips. In early pregnancy, hormones can shake up your taste and smell, leading to random cravings or sudden food aversions that seem to come out of nowhere. [8] | Serotonin and progesterone | Both |
| Unusual discharge | Thicker, white, or watery discharge could be an early pregnancy sign. Rising progesterone increases cervical mucus production to help protect the uterus. | Progesterone | Both |
Why am I cramping at 11 DPO?
If you do experience some 11 DPO cramping, you’re not alone.
It could be a symptom of implantation, when the little baby zygote embeds itself into your uterus, finding its home for the next 9 months.
It could also be due to the increase in progesterone, which can cause some (ahem) digestive discomfort, so if your cramps are accompanied with constipation or diarrhea, that could just be the culprit.
Unfortunately, 11 DPO cramps can also be a side effect of pregnancy loss.
If you notice some heavy bleeding (more than a few drops or pink discharge) and severe cramps, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible.
What should I feel at 11 DPO?
Well, we can’t tell you how you should be feeling at 11 DPO — there are so many potential symptoms, and many people don’t notice any symptoms at all!
So we asked our Peanut community of moms-to-be and women who are trying to conceive about their experiences with 11 DPO symptoms leading to BFP or any other potential pregnancy symptoms at 11 DPO:
- “I’m 11 DPO, I just felt like something has been off. I’ve been crampy and so dizzy but I really wasn’t sure if that was from possible pregnancy or just being sick. Update: next day, I took a digital pregnancy test and got my BFP!” — Victoria
- “Took a test yesterday at 11 DPO and was a BFN, too. I’ve had very faint cramps since 9 DPO.” — Laura
- “I have had other pregnancy symptoms, but at 11 DPO, I started having a clear liquid ooze from my nipple and have never experienced this before. Breasts are very sore and nipples are sensitive, too.” — Elizabeth
- “11 DPO today, BFN yesterday, was feeling discouraged to test today but couldn’t help it… I can see a very faint line!” — Kellianne
- “11 DPO BFP! I’m sharing with you all since I am certainly not announcing but I just got my BFP! I am over the moon and also scared but excited for this! I’m going to be a mommy!” — Kaitlyn
- “Currently 4 days until I come on my period (11 DPO). Past few days I’ve had symptoms sore boobs, increased urinations, and today very light cramping. BFN this morning.” — Ali
- “I got a super faint positive today at 13 DPO. 11 DPO was completely negative.” — Elen
- “11 DPO, I had implantation bleeding last night and cramping.” — Samantha
- “DPO 11, I had mild cramping, bloated, mildly tired, and boobs tender, but that was normal prior to period with exception to the minor fatigue.” — Shayna
- “Currently 11 days DPO and feeling the same-cramping since 7 days DPO and some symptoms that could be pregnancy or PMS.” — Madison
- “I had period like cramps and acne which both weren’t normal before my period. That’s all that was different initially. Just increased tiredness since 11 or 12 DPO when I tested positive.” — Kay
- “Saw a VVFL at 11 DPO — had to have my husband come to check because I thought I was getting line eyes!” — Tassia
There’s a real variety of symptoms you can get at 11 DPO, whether you’re pregnant or not — and you can also get no symptoms, either way.
We get it, this whole TTC thing can be confusing and exhausting.
Be gentle with yourself.
Wherever you’re at, we’re rooting for you.
And if you want to chat with other women who are in the same boat, you’re always welcome to join us on Peanut.
➡️ Read next: 12 DPO: Symptoms, Signs & What to Expect