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One of the most important things to know if you are confused about when you should take a home pregnancy test is that you are more likely to get a negative result if it’s done too early.
How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?
Before going further, it will be helpful for you to understand how a pregnancy test works in order to know when to take one.
Pregnancy tests are made to detect human chorionic gonadotropin or the hCG hormone in the urine or blood. This is a pregnancy hormone that’s produced once a fertilized egg is attached to the uterus wall, usually starting around six days after the egg fertilization.
The hCG levels will continue to increase rapidly if you are pregnant, doubling every two to three days.
It is important to mention that there are some tests that are able to detect hyperglycosylated hCG or H-hCG, a variation of the hCG hormone.
The regular hCG is only produced after an embryo is implanted in the endometrium, while H-hCG is released earlier at some point right after fertilization.
When Should You Take a Home Pregnancy Test
You can get the most accurate result if you wait at least one week after missing your period. In addition, the result might be even more accurate if the test is done first in the morning as the urine is far more concentrated at this time. The urine-based home pregnancy tests offer about 97% accuracy.
This accuracy will depend on several factors such as how early the test is taken, if the instructions were followed closely, when ovulation occurred in the cycle, how early implantation takes place, and how sensitive the test is.
It is always best to take a pregnancy test after a late period to avoid false positive or false negative results.
If you have irregular cycles or you are not charting your cycles, it might best to take the test after passing the longest menstrual cycle.
For example, if your cycles are in the range of 30 to 36 days, it would be best to take the test at around 37 days after your last period or later.
Another thing to know is that you should not take the pregnancy test if you are using some fertility medication. An early test can detect the remnants of the medication [1].
How Soon After Sex Can You Take a Pregnancy Test?
Many women take a pregnancy test right after they have sex. This is actually a huge mistake because, as mentioned above, the levels of hCG in the body can be detected several days after the fertilized egg has been implanted in the uterus.
By taking the pregnancy test too early, it can result in a false-negative result and make you believe that you’re not pregnant.
So when is the right time to take a pregnancy test after having unprotected sex? According to experts, you can take the test 10 to 14 days after having intercourse since, during this time, the hCG levels in your body are already high enough to be detected.
Many home pregnancy test kits will include this fact in their instructions to ensure that users will get accurate results.
However, this 10-to-14 day time frame is only the minimum. If you’re not in a hurry, it’s advisable to wait for a longer time before you take a home pregnancy test.
Many experts recommend that you take the test 21 days after having unprotected sex for more accurate results [2].
This might seem like a long time to wait, particularly if you’re eager to get pregnant and want to know if you’ve conceived ASAP. But it’s important to note that conception doesn’t always happen right after you have sex.
Remember: sperm can live inside your body for up to five days, which means that fertilization can take place up to five days after you had intercourse. So, if you have sex a few days before ovulation, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly when you conceived.
If the actual conception happened a few days after you had sex, but you decide to take a pregnancy test exactly 10 days after your intercourse, your body might not yet have produced enough hCG levels for the test to detect.
This might mean that you’ll get a negative result — even though fertilization did happen and your egg has implanted (or is about to implant) in your uterus.
So, to get accurate results, it’s best to wait for three weeks after having intercourse before you use a pregnancy test kit.
This is also the reason why you shouldn’t hesitate to take another pregnancy test even if you’ve already taken one.
If you get a negative result but genuinely believe that you are pregnant, take another pregnancy test around a week after you took the initial test.
By this time, fertilization and implantation might have already taken place, which means that the hCG levels are high enough for you to get an accurate reading.
If you get a negative pregnancy test few days after positive urine pregnancy test, you may have experienced a phenomenon called Chemical Pregnancy that accounts of 50-75% of all miscarriages. [3]
If you can’t wait for three weeks, you can visit your doctor and ask for a blood pregnancy test.
This test detects pregnancy earlier than urine-based home pregnancy tests since hCG appears earlier in the mother’s blood than in her urine.
You can take the blood pregnancy test at least eight days after you had unprotected sex [4] although, just like with home pregnancy tests, you can get more accurate results if you wait a few days longer after having intercourse.
Blood tests can detect pregnancies earlier than urine test because these tests can detect hCG levels as low as 1 mIU/mL, while urine test strips have published detection thresholds of 10 mIU/mL to 100 mIU/mL, depending on the brand. [5]
How Should You Take a Home Pregnancy Test?
Now that you have an idea as to when you should take a home pregnancy test, you need to know how to use it.
The home pregnancy tests are easy and quick to use. Once the instructions are followed carefully you will get accurate results.
They are all made to work in the same way. You’d use one of these ways to test your urine:
- Collect some urine inside a cup and then use a dropper to place it in another container.
- Collect some urine inside a cup and dip the pregnancy test stick in it.
- Hold the pregnancy test stick under your urine stream.
For all of these techniques, you’ll have to wait several minutes to see the results. The results can show as a color, line or symbol. Some digital tests will say not pregnant or pregnant.
What is The Meaning of the Pregnancy Test Results?
When you do the test and the result is positive, this means you are pregnant. Bear in mind that this will be the case, regardless of the faintness of the color, line or sign.
It would be a good idea to contact your doctor in order to know what will come next if you get a positive result.
A negative result will mean that you are not pregnant. Nevertheless, you could still be pregnant in cases where the test is taken incorrectly, the test stick is expired, the test is done too soon, you are using certain medications like antihistamines or diuretics, and large amounts of liquid is consumed immediately before the test (which dilutes the urine).
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You could try retesting about one week after getting a negative result to get a more solid confirmation. There are some home-based pregnancy tests that will suggest this no matter the results.
Although this only happens in rare cases, a pregnancy test can give a false-positive. This means the test is saying you are pregnant, but you are not.
You could get this result if your urine contains protein or blood and if you are using certain drugs such as anti-convulsants or tranquilizers.
When you are ready to take a home pregnancy test, you can buy it without a prescription at the drugstore, or online on Amazon.
Be sure to contact your doctor if you have questions pertaining to the pregnancy test or results.
References
- https://www.verywellfamily.com/can-my-medicine-effect-my-pregnancy-test-results-2759855
- https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ureport/story/2001287100/how-soon-after-having-sex-you-can-take-a-pregnancy-test-and-how-accurate-the-results-will-be
- Chemical pregnancy facts: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/chemical-pregnancy
- https://www.babymed.com/normal-hcg-blood-level-by-week-during-pregnancy
- Waddell, Rebecca Smith (2006). “FertilityPlus.org”. Home Pregnancy Test hCG Levels and FAQ. Archived from the original on 2006-06-15. Retrieved 2006-06-17.
Hey , I had my period in September , September 11 was my period , my off date was the 19th , I had sex that Friday of September ( September 22 ) between 25-26 my discharge changed ( white ) , I start having pain in my stomach that’ll come an go away , my back started hurting , ( the low part of it ) eye Twitching started , & blurry eye vision , an I got a line on my stomach that I never had before , it bloated up ( my stomach ) an got fat on top of my women part š , when Oct 8 / 9 came I had a 3/2 day period it was light an only on Tissue when I wiped myself , it wasn’t how my periods be , when I come on it be heavy kinda like an blood clots , that’s the only time I had bleeding in October but at the end if October going on Nov 1st I started bleeding again it was black kinda blood ( real dark ) & Nov 3rd it went away ( stopped )
Hi there Tonisha, please see your doctor for physical assessment regarding these issues.
My last period was 31December, 2017 and I had sex on 14th January 2018 after I took postinor 2 and has not come am I pregnant
Hello Olivia, no this does not necessarily mean you are pregnant, the Postinor might have caused a slight change in your cycle.
I had my period on the 15 and had unprotected sex on the 22 is it possible I can get pregnant
Hello Megg, you did not state when your period ended.
Hi.
I had intercourse on the 27th of December I took the morning after pill in the morning. My period was 21st-26th December. I then had intercourse on the 2nd of Jan and more times there after with another man. I have no not come on my period and pregnancy test says positive. Could it be possible it was from the 27th?
Help please
Hi Hann, use the following link to determine when you conceived: https://womanjunction.com/conception-calculator-find-your-conception-date/
Hello I am Meme I got married in 2017. I have irregular periods,I started my period on the 17th of dec 2017 and finished around the 24th and had sex from that time till now.when is the best time to test if i am pregnant.i have tested myself two times out of curiosity but results have been negative.I don’t feel any changes in my body expect for gas in my tummy.when is the best time to test myself and is it possible to get pregnant and not see any signs.could i be pregnant
Hi there Mercy, the best time to test for pregnancy is 7 days after a missed period.
Hi, my own situation is similar to Gabriella.I had unprotected sex, but he didn’t ejaculate. But just to be careful because of precum. I used postinor 2 for the very first time in my life and I took it at the same time. I bleed for three days or more in December. In January am supposed to see my period on the 1st, But it’s 11 days late. Should I be worried
Hello Natasha, the morning after pill has been known to cause a delay and irregularity in the next upcoming period.
Hi, I had sex on the 27th November, I used postinor 2 a day after. but I bleed from 5th till like 7th of December. But it’s January and am 10 days late. It seems my breast are bigger and I usually have occasional cramp. Should I be worried. My period in November started on the 9th.
If you are late and concerned you are pregnant, take a pregnancy test. However, when you take a postinor 2 you should be aware that it can affect your next period because of the hormones and it could affect your body. Breasts becoming enlarged and occasional cramping could be symptoms of either the medication, PMS, or pregnancy, any of the above.
I had sex on 14th dec, 2017 with out protection and that evening my period happened.. and now 11th jan, 2018 periods hasnāt happen yet.
Hi ggswar. According to the menstrual calculator you today, 11 January, 2018 is when you should have started your period. If you ovulate late in your cycle you could be pregnant. However, you can take a test now or wait another few days and take one then if you havenāt gotten your period yet.
I was to see my period on the 7th 8th or 9th of November 2017 but I had an unprotected sex on the 7th morning and I missed my period and the test was positive I want to know if it’s possible I took it on the 7th or is the I did before that day because my period cycle is 30 or 31 days. I want to know when I took in.
Hello Cordelia, once your pregnancy test says you are pregnant, then you are. All the best.
My period has been regular not until when I was disvirgined in October 2017…. I was supposed to see my period in 21st November but not so.. I later got it in Dec 4(which means I got it after 13 day… I ought to get my next period on 1st of January 2018 but I’m 7 days late already…. please note that we have sex two to 3 times a week without protection but he pulls out whenever he wants to cum.. I’ve done two home pregnancy test which shows negative and I don’t feel any signs of pregnancy… can I still be pregnant
Hello Janet, retake your pregnancy test given that you are now 7 days + late.
Hi, my last period was on 27 Nov 2017 and it’s 6 Jan 2018 now. I have done so many pregnancy test till now and every result shows negative. What should I do ? Is it possible for me to still be pregnant? Or would I get my period soon ? Me and my partner have been trying for a baby anyways.
Hello Khadijah, if your period does not come within a few days then I advise that you see your doctor for a blood test for pregnancy.
Hi, i had my tubes tied on 10/10/17. 2 months went ok but on this 3rd month I am 1 day late. Do you think I could be pregnant?
Hi Maria. While itās possible, itās not likely a viable pregnancy as getting your tubes tied is one of the most effective forms of birth control. At this point, about 10 days later from your original comment, if you havenāt gotten your period I would take a pregnancy test and make an appointment with your doctor if you are concerned.
Hello my periods are very regular last cycle was December 3 2017 my period tracker app says period is now 5 days late I tested on Jan 3&4 both tests were negative ..I’ve been nauseous…also felt mild cramps but no discharge! My appetite is very outrageous and I tend to feel bloated all the time…What is going on?
Hi Farrah. Itās quite possible that you are pregnant, considering your symptoms and the fact that your period is late. If your are still getting negative tests and havenāt gotten your period, I would consider an appointment with your doctor to have them run a blood test as well as check you out.
Hi, I am 24 years old and I had my last period from 3rd december till 7th december. I have had sex with my husband on 9th, 22nd and 25th december. I still haven’t seen my this month period yet. I was never late before like this. Am I pregnant, and when should I take a pregnancy test to know that?
Hi Rain. At this point you should take a pregnancy test if you havenāt already. You can take one (depending on the brand) up to 5 days prior to the anticipated start of your period, however they are more accurate the closer you get to it and then when you are late.
First day of last period Nov 28 2017. Had implantation bleeding on 19-21. Took 2 pregnancy tests got negative results. What do I do now?
Hi MSWG. If you still havenāt gotten your period and you are still getting negative results on pregnancy tests, I would schedule an appointment with your doctor. They can run blood work to determine pregnancy as well as rule out any other issues that may be causing you to not get your period if you still havenāt gotten it.
Hey, I’m Kyra. I have been off depo shot for 7 months. He cum in me Dec 18 .took a test today & it was negative. Did I test too early? Any answers???
Hello Kyra, a good time to test for pregnancy is 7 days after a missed period.
The thing is since I’ve been off birth control I have no periods.