Darkening Areola

Early pregnancy symptom

The chart

Comparison of how often this symptom is experienced by pregnant vs non-pregnant women.

After implantation (9 dpo+)
experiencing this symptom
increases
the probability of pregnancy

Overall (during the luteal phase)
experiencing this symptom
does not impact
the probability of pregnancy

About this symptom

Darkening Areola

One of the earliest changes you may notice in your breasts is the darkening of the areola (skin around the nipple), or an increase in size of the areola. These changes can occur as early as a week or two after conception. This is a normal change that is caused by the surging hormones as they begin to prepare your breasts for breastfeeding. Estrogen and progesterone cause the body to produce more pigment and women may see darkened splotches of skin all over the body throughout pregnancy.

Summary of chart

An explanation of the affect on the probability of pregnancy for each day past ovulation or group of days.

0 dpo - 11 dpo

Does not significantly affect probability of pregnancy

12 dpo - 13 dpo

Slightly increases probability of pregnancy

14 dpo - 18 dpo

Increases probability of pregnancy

Detailed breakdown by DPO

Shows data for days where differences are meaningful.

Day past ovulation	Pregnant vs non-pregnant
12 dpo	1.2 times more (+15%)
13 dpo	1.3 times more (+30%)
14 dpo	1.4 times more (+37%)
15 dpo	1.4 times more (+31%)
16 dpo	1.4 times more (+31%)
17 dpo	1.4 times more (+31%)
18 dpo	1.4 times more (+33%)

Understanding the data

Pregnant women experience this symptom the number of times listed as often as non-pregnant. The percentage listed refers to the percentage increase or decrease between pregnant and non-pregnant.

Visit the dpo chart pages to view most common and significant positive and negative indicators of pregnancy for each day past ovulation.