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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.
Hi my last period was Aug 20th lasted for 4 days I have looked up online when my next period should start it was saying the 17th of Sep I am trying to concieve when’s a good time to take a test..?
Hi Jen, please read our FAQ page:
http://womanjunction.com/faq-frequently-asked-questions-menstrual-cycle-pregnancy-ovulation-abortion/
you will find the answer there
My period came on September 1 through September 4th, 2015. My husband and I was intimate 6,7,8,10,12,13,15. When would i most likely Ovulate and be fertile? When would be the best time to take a pregnancy test. My cycle is 28days.
Hi Britney, Your next most fertile period is September 13, 2015 to September 17, 2015.take a test 2-3days before your period would be due.
Period began August 28th, regular 28 day cycle, my husband and I are trying to have a baby we had unprotected sex every day September 6-14, my period is expected September 25th if we are not pregnant what can increase our chances? I had the mirena in from 5/2012-3/2015 we have a healthy sex life so I don’t understand what is taking so long.
Hi Susan, please read this post:
http://womanjunction.com/improve-chance-pregnant/
good luck!
I have paragard removed 8/24 with the intent to try and conceive. My last cycle was 8/9-8/14 so I was ovulating on the 24th and we had unprotected sex on that day and the 29th. I had my period 9/10-9/12, but is there a chance I could be pregnant? I tested 9/9 and it was negative.
Hello Mrs.Richardson, If you already had your period that means you are not pregnant keep trying. Good luck 🙂
Im trying to concive my first day of my last period was august 15 im very regular 30 days, but this month I bleed on sept 9 seven days early and heavy only for two days third day was brownish, do you think I can be pregnant? implantation bleeding or early period? I made preg test and negative
Hi Mayra, it is possible to be pregnant but the only way to know for sure is if you go to the doctor take another test 2-3 days before your period would be due.
Hi, i had my last period august 14 2015 it lasted 5 days. I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend a bunch of times after that. I am now 4 days late. I took 6 tests, two came out very faint but the rest came out negative. Could i be pregnant and when should i test agian to get more of an accurate result ?
Hi kar, FAint lines are like positive lines take a test in the morning as you wake in 2 days.
Hi my period started august 29th and me and my husband had unprotected sex throughout my period and we had sex 2 days ago my periods are usually 26 days apart. We are trying to conceive please let me know when i should take a pregnancy test
Hi Tiny,Take a test 2-3 days before your period would be due if its negative test a week later.
Hi i need help, my last period date was Aug 7,2015, and it last for 3 days. I had unprotected sex Aug 8 during my period, is it there’s a possibility that i get pregnant?.The reason why i am asking is that now is Sept 8,2015 and my period didn’t come yet. I went to my GP yesterday Sept 7,2015 for pregnancy test and the outcome was negative. But why my period haven’t come yet until? I’m getting worried 🙁
Hello. Your period may be late for many reasons including stress and fatigue. This blog will provide some insight http://womanjunction.com/missed-menstrual-cycle/
My lmp was August 23 it lasted about 3-4 days I had unprotected sex Sept 3rd when would be the best time to take a pregnancy test?
Hello Whitney. The best time to take a pregnancy is at least one week after missing your period. When is your next period due and what is the length of your cycle? This blog from our site will guide you http://womanjunction.com/home-pregnancy-test/
I saw my period on the 17th of August,my cycle is 25 and i met my husband on the 27th to 31st. when should I check 4 pregnancy and is it likely I am pregnant?
Hello. You were most fertile from August 26 to 30 so your chances of being pregnant is high. Your next period is due on September 11 so you can take a pregnancy test by September 18.
I usually have my period on the 9th give or take a day, period ranges from 2-6 days sometimes and I have a 31 day cycle.
I am trying to conceive and I had my period last month August 9th. I had sex August 29th and wondering what are the chances of conceiving? If so, when a pregnancy test would turn up positive
Hi Cindy, You next most fertile period is August 24, 2015 to August 28, 2015. Its possible for you to be pregnant wait 2 weeks then take a pregnancy test.
Had my lmp August 1,2015 normally it’s a 28 day cycle. Took numerous pregnancy tests all came up negative. When’s the best time to retest for pregnancy?
Hi Meg. This link will provide the answer to this question http://womanjunction.com/home-pregnancy-test/
My period is 3 and a half week late. took a test it said negative. when is it good to take another one??
Hi Emm, You can wait a week then test again if it still shows negative you should see a doctor for a blood test.
Hi, need answers. I had unprotected sex a week before my period was supposed to start. We didn’t use a condom also he didn’t pull out. Is there a chance he got me pregnant?
Yes, it is possible but it depends on the length of your cycle. While most women are fertile towards the middle of the cycle, some women ovulate later. An egg can be inside the tube and not yet expelled with the start of the new cycle.
My period start August 21 and ended August 26th me and my boyfriend had sex August 29th and the condom broke and it had sperms in it. Could I be pregnant?
This depends on the length of your cycle. If you have a regular 28 days cycle then you were not ovulating at that time. The chances of being pregnant would be low.
My last period was on aug 31st. Me and my husband had unprotected sex from sept 6 to 16.. And my periods are irregular .. It’s late.. Yesterday I took a home remedy pregnancy test and I took sugar test . It showed that my urine stellar down and tiny little bubbles where stick in the edge of the glass just below the upper surface.. Out of curiosity I really wanted to know is that my pregnancy sign? Please help!
There are many different types of pregnancy tests so you must follow the instructions that are usually supplied by the manufacturer. Those instructions would explain the signs to look for if the test is positive, negative or invalid. Also, 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, it would be best to take the test 37 days or later if your cycles are in the range of 30 to 36 days.
hi there, i need help/advice pls.
On June16 and July14 i got my period which is 28days apart and last @4-5days. I was expecting my period on August11 according to my calculations *28days* which it hasnt came,i took a pregnancy test on August17 and it was negative..idk if i took it tooo soon or im just late :[
Is now August25 and it still hasn’t came i took a test on August22 and it was negative..idk if is still early or is there something wrong with me!:(
HEEEEEEELLPP!;(
Hi Vanessa, There are many factors that contribute in a woman missing her period,maybe you should check with your doctor if you think you could be pregnant.