11 DPO: Symptoms, Signs & What to Expect

What should you be feeling at 11 DPO? As it turns out, there are no “shoulds” here. That being said, here’s some of what you might expect.
Just what does 11 DPO mean?

11 DPO is 11 days past ovulation.

If you’re trying to conceive, the TWW is the two-week wait between ovulation and your next expected period.

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?

So what’s going on at 11 DPO?

First, a quick science lesson.

Basically, your ovarian cycle is divided up into three phases:

• Follicular (AKA before the egg is released)
  
• Ovulation (AKA when the egg is released)
  
• Luteal (AKA 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 to begin its long journey to babyhood, starting with forming an embryo.

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.

If the egg is not fertilized, it will be released with your next period.

How many DPO is considered late?

Around 15 DPO, you’ll probably be expecting your period to arrive.

If it doesn’t arrive within about a week of this, it might be late.

But (and this is important), no two cycles are alike.

So there’s no one specific DPO that is the DPO for a late pregnancy.

There are also various reasons you could be late that are not pregnancy-related, like:

• Stress. TTC is stressful—and in one of life’s greatest ironies, this stress can cause a skipped period without a pregnancy. If you’re feeling especially stressed, chat with your doctor. Reach out to others on Peanut. Seek counseling. You don’t have to do this alone.
  
• Birth control. Going on and off birth control can do all sorts of fun things to your period.
  
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). PCOS generally comes from hormonal challenges—but it is treatable. Chat with your doctor about your options.
  
• Perimenopause. This is the stage leading up to menopause and may mean that your periods become irregular. It doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get pregnant at all, but this may put a specific duration on your fertility window. So it’s definitely worth talking to your doctor about.
  
• Health issue. Chronic health challenges and thyroid issues can impact the regularity of your period.

Can I take a pregnancy test 11 days 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 ‒ 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 is around 25% accurate
  
• 5 days before your next expected period is around 33% accurate
  
• 4 days before your next expected period is around 42% accurate
  
• 3 days before your next expected period is around 68% accurate
  
• 2 days before your next expected period is around 81% accurate
  
• 1 day before your next expected period is around 93% accurate
  
• The day of your next expected period is around 96% accurate
  
• 1 day afteryour next expected period is around 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.

And there are just as many who get 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:

• 11 DPO cramping
  
• 11 DPO implantation bleeding or 11 DPO spotting
  
• Nipples darkening and getting more sensitive, or other breast changes
  
• Exhaustion and fatigue
  
• Frequent peeing
  
• Weird cravings
  
• All sorts of digestive fun, such as gassiness, bloating and 11 DPO constipation
  
• Headaches
  
• Unusual 11 DPO discharge (usually watery or thick and white)

And, in many cases, you may not have a single symptom.

That’s normal, too!

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

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