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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 period on 23 Feb and I didn’t use any protection so now it’s the 21st. If I test on 22 Feb will I get a positive result?
I had my period on 23 Feb and I didn’t take any pill so now I’m scared of being pregnant. Can I test on the 22nd of March? Will it give the correct results or not?
The best time to test is at least one week after you missed your period. So check to see when your last period was due and take the test a week after that date.
Hi, I had a period on the 4th of February until the 6th. I was late by 13 days but then I got some bleeding for two days. I took a pregnancy test but came back negative, took another one 4 days later and it’s negative. Could I be pregnant?
My boyfriend and I had unprotected sex on March 5th, it is the 18th now, I FEEL PREGNANT. I have taken several test and got negatives on them all, I’m 99% sure it’s too soon to be testing but I’m going crazy because I feel pregnant. I had spotting 5 days after we had sex and it has been 9 days of on and off spotting now, do I count this as my period (it was supposed to actually start the 13th but I started this weird spotting in the 10) HELP!?!?
Hi Kelsey. The only way to be sure is to take a pregnancy test. You did test a little early. You should talk to your doctor to get more clarification. Good luck.
Hello. My last period started on feb 11th-14th. I had sex on the 20th. The condom broke and he came inside of me. The next day I bought “Take One Action” pill. After that I was feeling sick. Ever since I took the pill I had light cramping. Around March 1st I saw light pink blood when I wiped. I thought my period was going to come early but that was it. Now its March 15th and I’m 5 days late now on my period.. I don’t feel cramps anymore… I’m always regular – 28 day cycle… I took a pregnancy test and it said negative. Can I be pregnant or did the pill completely throw off my cycle?
Hi Stephanie, the pills do cause the period to get late. Plus you already got a negative test. I think you should wait another 4-5 days.
I had my menstrual period on February 1st 2016 my period still not here and it’s March 13. What should I do my tubes are tied. Is there a chance of me being pregnant. My breasts are tender and I’m very fatigued and a experiencing little nausea.
Hi Jamie. It is not too early to test. Your tracking seems to be accurate according to the information you provided. If your test still comes back negative you should talk to your doctor about the symptoms you are experiencing.
I had sex 3 days before cycle.I should have had a cycle on 22 Feb but start spotting on 25 Feb; it lasted 3 days. When can I 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.
Hi I had my period Feb 3rd-7th 2016. I had sex with my husband on a MX trip on Feb 10th. He pulls out before ejaculating- obviously there is still a chance I got pregnant. I got a period Oct 20th for a few days. Feb 28th I noticed fullness and the let down feeling in my breast like I had when breastfeeding my first child. I just noticed on of my breast are leaking what even seems like milk this morning. I took a test and it says I am pregnant. Do you think this is true? Also do you think I conceived in MX? Just wondering bc of that mosquito virus that has been noted there. None of us travelers believe we were bit. Thanks,
Hi Caitlin. Congratulations on your pregnancy. You should talk to your doctor to get an accurate date of conception and to follow up on the possibility of being infected with a virus. Best wishes.
Hi… got my period last 21jan-21jan. Had my fiance with me for 20 days & became intimate on his stay. Now I’m tracking my period & it says 3days delayed. I’ve irregular periods but lately I am experiencing nausea, bloated, craving more for chocolates, always hungry & worst felt tired all the time. I got tummy cramps so bad too & felt like to vomit the other day… could I be pregnant???? When is the best time to have a pregnancy test?
Hello. There is always of a chance pregnancy if you are having unprotected sex. You should test about a week after your missed period. Good luck.
I am tracking my periods and my tracker stated that i would not violate till Feb 26 from my period that started feb 3. I started having pregnancy symptoms feb 25 after sex on feb 20. Could my tracker be wrong on my ovulation? How accurate are the trackers? My symptoms are starting to get stronger, I don’t feel normal. My tests so far are neg, i just started week 4, is it still too early to test?
Hi i used a contraceptivepills last dec. Got my period dec 30,had sex last jan 14 and got my period on 21st ,and stop taking pills and never had sex again but never got my period this feb until now,am i possibly be pregnant
It looks like you had your period after having unprotected sex. There is always a chance of pregnancy after having unprotected sex. The chances are slim according to the information you provided. If you are concerned you should take a pregnancy test or talk with your doctor.
Hello Mary, the last day of my period was was on feb.25th, I had sex that same day as well as the next few up until today where he had came inside of me. Is this when I can conceive and if so by good chance or slim since I was just off of my period. Thank you
Hi Christina, in this case, there is always a chance of pregnancy. However, without knowing your usual number of days in the period cycle, it’s hard to estimate the next most fertile period. Considering an average of 28 days, your most fertile period will be in between 4th to 8th March. You can use the calculator on http://womanjunction.com/ to determine the exact period. Best of luck. 🙂
I had unprotected sex with my spouse on 2/15/16 to 2/21/16, he doesn’t pull out, my period is due 2/25/16, never came, Ben having mood swings, bloating, could I be pregnant and is it to early to test?
There is a chance, but it is small. If your period is due the 25th, you can take a test on the third (tomorrow).
Hi
My last period was around 5 of Jan 2016 give or a day either side (I can’t remember exact dae)
It’s now 28 February 2016 and sign of period.!
I did a hot last Thursday evening…that was negetive, today Sunday 28 February still no sign on period? Could I still be pregnant?
I highly doubt it, so don’t get too worried.
I had a menstruation last January 25,2016 and it ends on January 31. I use contracrptive pills Althea pills. I missed period on feb25 and I take pregnancy test 4times ang the result is negative.I am confused because because until now I have no period. I am breastfeeding and may baby is going 6months old and i dont want to get pregnant. i want to know early if im pregnant. tnk u. hope u will help me and this is my big problem. godbless.
Hey Zaide, there are so many reasons why a period could be delayed. Check our FAQ for more information.