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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.
I had my last period during 25/1-27/1, it was expected that my fertile days were 5/2-9/2, so I had intimacy with my bf on 15/2. My period was supposed to due on 24/2 but it’s 2 days late, my period comes late sometimes though. I am very worried about being pregnant unexpectedly. My breasts are feeling a little sore starting from 21/2, is this PMS or pregnancy? Will there be a chance for me to be pregnant?
There is a chance, but it is small. It is normal to have a shift in cycles; depending on eating, stress, etc. Check our FAQ for more information.
Hi Mary,
My last period was on 24th jan 2016. Have been trying to concieve since few months. From last two weeks i feel my br**sts are swollen up and very sensitive. I have back pain and feel tired most of the times. But no vomiting or lightheadedness.
Did a hpt today and it was negative. But i somehow feel i might be expecting this time. Is there a chance i could be pregnant?
Thanks.
There is always a chance for a false negative; but you are typically supposed to take a test one week after your missed period. I would wait until about a week then take another.
Hi Mary, my last period was dated January 21, 2016, i have an irregular periods meaning sometimes my period will come 3rd week, otherwise 2nd nor 1st. My question is, how will i know if i am delayed or pregnant? till this date my period didn’t come. My husband and I exercised withdrawal as our means of contraceptives, and he told me that he is very much sure that he didn’t do anything to make me pregnant. And by the way, i just had my delivery last Sept 2015 so that is why i worried a lot plus i undergo a caesarian section so that thing means it’s complicated for me to get pregnant at the earliest.
I would recommend waiting a few more weeks; and if it still doesn’t arrive I would ask a professionals advice.
I take pregnancy test this Feb 26, but it mentioned negative but till this date my menstrual period is not coming. I didn’t feel any symptoms of pregnancy so that is why i am getting confused. what is the best time to take a pregnancy test again?
Thank you.
I had a period Dec 29-4. I was by my tracking expecting to start again the week of Feb 2-4…Sometimes I am irregular but usually within 4 or 5 days. I did not start then but did have some irregular for me bleeding that started on Feb 8 – Feb 12. The only time I have had sex was with a condom on Jan 23. I have taken Early Response Early Detection test on Feb 8, 15 and 21. All negative. Would these test be accurate by now? I understand implantation bleeding is not common but if that is what I had on the 8-12 how long after that should I have waited to test?
Hi Lola. You were most fertile Jan 9-14. If you have taken 3 pregnancy tests you probably just had an irregular period. If you are still concerned you should contact your doctor. Best wishes.
Had my period on the 14th Dec 2015, had sex on the 26th Dec 2015, had my period again on the 14th Jan 2016, haven’t had sex since the 26th Dec 2015, now I am waiting on period which is due Feb 14th 2016 but it has one yet. Could I be pregnant?
Nope you are not pregnant. Check our FAQ for several reasons why your period is delayed.
My last period dec26th 2015. Jan 24 th spotting came for 3days. Feb 3rd i take the pregnancy test is negative. The doctor said left and right ovary is gud. Feb 18th today bleeding came. This is pregnancy symptoms or period.
This would be your period.
I had my period on 11th jan- 16th and 28 I got intimate with my bf we didn’t have sex but he rub his precum on my vigina. I was period was suppose to come on 12 Feb but it hasn’t come.my breast are heavy and I feel pains on my nipple.i want know if I’m pregnant
If you are worried, take a pregnancy test on the 19th. I wish you the best, so stay as calm as possible and it will work out.
I had intimacy with my boyfriend on 21st January and we did not have sex but he did rub his Penis on my vagina with precum on it and the same day my periods also started. After 14 days of my LMP I’m getting blood spotting and it’s been 3 days I’m spotting. I got my blood test done on the 15th day from my LMP and the HCG Level is 0.8 and I’m getting lower back and abdomen pain too and metallic mouth taste since then. I did hpt a week before my next menstrual period and it’s negative but the symptoms are still there. Is there anything else apart from pregnancy that I’m facing?
Honestly Neha, I would like to say I know the answer to this but I do not. I would strongly advise talking to your doctor, I do not want to give you false answers on something I do not know about.
I know you can’t be too vocal but your experience and suggestion would matter. Though I’ll go to doctor on Monday but it would be of great help if you can help me understand what’s happening with my body. I don’t want this pregnancy.
If you want my true opinion, anytime contact between a penis and vagina happens, there is a chance of pregnancy. You can take a test a week after your missed period. I suggested talking to your doctor because I don’t want to give you false ideas.
Hy dear I’m stressed and confused now my last period was on the 26 of December 2015 and now it February i cant get my period last week on the 31 of January i took home pregnancy test and it says negative .what going on I’m pregnant ? My breast are very sore and my back.
Hello Lelow! So this is a complicated issue. On our FAQ page, it goes into different situations that cause a missed period. I would suggest taking another pregnancy test, and if your period still doesn’t arrive; I would contact a professional.
Hello i started on yesterday on my periods it was confusion because i never had this issue before. but i hope everything is ok. thank you for responding.
Hi… My last period was on 27/12/2015.. My menstrual cycle will be 2-4 days late every month…i have missed period on January..so I have taken home pregnancy test on 4/02/2016…i got negative…is it to early or what is the correct date to take test please kindly reply..
Hello,I advise you to take one one pregnancy test to be sure sometimes you can still be pregnant even with negative tests.
I had intimacy with my boyfriend on 21st January and we did not have sex but he did rub his Penis on my vagina and the same day my periods also started. After 14 days of my LMP I’m getting blood spotting and it’s been 3 days I’m spotting. I got my blood test done on the 15th day from my LMP and the HCG Level is 0.8. Can I be pregnant?
Hey Neha! Since it did come in contact, there is a chance (but extremely small). Blood spotting can be normal during your month, but I would suggest asking a professional just to be safe.
Thank you Mary. I m just too scared.
I had gotten my period dec.27 2015, and had sex on the 8th of Jan. 2016, My cycle came on the 22nd it lasted 2 or 3 days. I normally have a 5 day cycle and i tested on the 25th and i got a negative can i be pregnant stilll and i also ad sex on the first one time and it’s said to be a day before my fertile days bega
Since you had your period, I doubt you are pregnant. You could have had a lighter cycle for numerous reasons. Please visit our FAQ page to recieve more information on this issue.
I had my period on 14th Jan,and my cycle is 24 or 25 days,today is the 23rd day.can I do a blood pregnancy test today?
You should try taking a home pregnancy test first. Depending on what the result shows you can go to your doctors and take a blood test by now.
Hello, my last period was on Jan 7 to Jan 11, 2016. We have been trying to get pregnant and my husband is anxious to get a test. My cycle is 21 days, but I want to wait until Feb 7. Can I go ahead and test or I should wait?
Honestly waiting a few more days might be best. Pregnancy tests tend to work the best at least a week after your missed period. It’s better safe than sorry, I would hate to see someone recieve a false pregnancy test because they took it too soon. On the bright side, tomorrow you can get one ! I wish you the best 🙂
Last menstrual cycle was dec 23rd 2015. now is January 28th 2016. I took pregnancy test twice, it’s negative. Should i wait more or go see doctor?
Hi,if you know when your other period is due then you could wait and if it has not come then you can check with your doctor.
My last cycle was Dec 25 and I’m on the 28 day cycle i have taken two test both negative am I moving too soon