Tested too soon? Spotting and BFN the next day

[5UBLIME]

Hi! I’m looking for advice.. last month my partner and I decided to try to get pregnant (at least not to take any preventative measures) to see if it would happen. I haven’t tracked ovulation, our effort is minimal for now as the process is new and we agreed we didn’t mind taking our time.

My cycles average 34-38 days (stress plays a huge factor) and my long cycle isn’t an issue according to my GP. I went for a hormone panel and ultrasound a few months ago due to heavier periods - everything was perfectly normal.

Since my cycle varies, I can’t pinpoint ovulation. I suspect it might have been around July 2 according to my period app.

I’ve had breast pain, minor cramps, extreme fatigue, I’m emotional (crying and irritable). On June 11th I experienced spotting, very faintly - which would be almost a week before my period was due (based on a 36 day cycle).

I took a cheapie pregnancy test yesterday (June 12) a day after the spotting, there hasn’t been any other spotting since. It was a BFN.

Since it’s the first month of trying and I’ve never tried before (30F) I’m quite anxious about the process.

Did I test too soon?

It can take anywhere from 6-12 days after ovulation for the egg to implant and then a few days for hcg to rise enough to show on a test so you may be too early especially as ovulation is estimated. Usually if the hormones are high enough to cause symptoms though it’s should be high enough to show on a test

Have you recently stopped any hormonal contraception? I found the month after coming off the mini pill my body had a lot of symptoms. I never remembered the symptoms being like that pre-pill.

If you think ovulation was around 2nd July, then af would be around 16th, so you could test then? Since you are not using opk or bbt to track ovulation though it could appear late, who knows.

Hi @5UBLIME i think you might be 10 DPO. 10 DPO can still be a bit early to test. Test again in a couple of days then you'll be about 12 DPO, if you can hold out till 14 DPO that would be even better.
Hope you get your BFP xx

Perhaps too early. My positive was a few days after I had implantation spotting. 🤗

Thanks! My period tracking app estimated ovulation was July 4, my guess was the 2nd based on symptoms and perhaps a shorter cycle this month. What threw me off was the spotting on on July 11th. It’s possible DPO was incorrect, I will try to retest if I don’t get my period in a few days.

Thanks! If you don’t mind me asking, was it similar to PMS? I know the bleeding would be significantly less, I’m just curious about the symptoms with the spotting.

Hi @5UBLIME what was your outcome? Just read your thread and in a very similar situation

My period came! It was a very stressful month, we decided to hold off for another few months :)

Ah I'm sorry to hear that! Yes thats a good idea, can all get quite stressful can't it!