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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 25th March as my cycle is between 35 to 40 day. For my last two cycles one was 35 days and the other one was 36 and now I didn’t have any periods for all of April. I was expecting my period on 29 April or 30th and nothing has come as yet. Today is 7 May. Is anyone in the same boat as me? I would like to hear your experience for those ladies who have longer cycles. And good luck to all.
Hi henna.. I’m on the same boat. My last period was 25 march it is now 15 May and no period. I took 4 different brand home pregnancy tests all positive. I took the hCg test that they sell at the dollar tree Negative. I went to the clinic also took a urine test and it was negative.. I had a miscarriage last year they did a DNC so now i have no idea what the flip is going on !!! I’m just gonna wait another week and go back to the clinic and try and have them do a blood test!
Hi Mari. I know that feeling is really hard to think, I even had miscarriage last year around this time since then I am TTC , I’m too scared to test the last test I did was last Saturday which come out negative I have used the clear blue Is 16 may now and my cycle day is day 53 and I just want wait few more days and do the test. Hope you get your positive.
Hi, TTC #3 after soo many years struggling with PCOS and 2 ovarian cysts removed by surgery, and 1 fallopian tube cut. I am exhausted. My kids are no 7 and 9; 1 boy and 1 girl, but we want one more. So we decided to try Clomid one more time. My last monthly period was April 20th. How early should I test?
You should wait at least one week after missing your period before you do a pregnancy test.
Oh hi TTC#3! We’re actually the same! I had an ovarian cyst removed on my right ovary but not a fallopian tube cut. My last monthly period was April 20th too! I’m on my cycle day 18 today. My nipples sores and my areola are quite bigger than normal. Steffy, is that one of the early signs?
My husband and I had sex on the 22nd of April and I was supposed to have my period on the 18th of April. When I should take the home pregnancy? Thank you.
Typically, you can take the test one week after April 18th. Now is a good time to take it.
I had sex on the 22nd of April when should be the best time to take a pregnancy test? Is it too early to test?
You should wait at least one week after missing your period before taking a pregnancy test.
Mine is a 29-day cycle, regular always. First time I had unprotected sex on 28 April second day of my period. The period ended on 2 May. Are there any chances of me getting pregnant? How soon can I take a pregnancy test? Waiting for the next period to come would be about a month. I experienced little cramps on the last day of my period. Will I be pregnant? Worried too much, please help.
Based on your 29-day cycle, you were fertile on April 11 – 15; your April period should have been on the 27th. Your next period is due on May 26. If you missed your April period, then you can now take the pregnancy test for confirmation.
My last cycle started on the 1st of April, when should I take a pregnancy test. Will a blood test give an accurate st this time?
Mine started on the 2nd. I want to know the answer to this one also.
Hello, I had my period on April 1st through the 5th of April my pregnancy apps told me I’ll be ovulating on April 15th. Me and my husband had unprotected sex on that day too. For the past 4-5 days I been sick throwing up, having crying problems and weird feeling in the bottom of my stomach. My pregnancy app told me my next period is April 30th but when should I take a pregnancy test? I’m very anxious.
My husband and I had sex on April 8, my period started March 25 2016. When should I take a pregnancy test?
You must first wait to see if you’ll miss your next period. Take the test at least one week after missing your period.
Hi, I had my last menstrual cycle the 20th of March. I calculated I would ovulate on the 3rd of April. We DTD the 1st and fourth of April. I figured my next cycle is due the 17th. I had spotted around the 13th and 14th real light and it was all gone by mid morning on the 14th. My question is if it was implantation bleeding when would I be able to test with a home pregnancy test? I had planned to test the 17th as that is when my cycle is due but would that be too soon now? Thanks.
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.
My last period started on the 9th of march 2016
Today is the 15th of April and still nothing
I have an average of a 28 day cycle
I took a pregnancy test two days ago then another yesterday both negative.
I have all the symptoms too.
Hello, It’s best to wait until 10 days after missing the period. So if you have not gotten your period by now, you can try taking another test. If it’s negative, please consult with a doctor. All the best.
I kind of have the same problem my last period was April 27th. It lasted 5 days I haven’t seen my period again; its June 3rd now but I took a Dollar General $1.00 pregnancy test today. It was negative. Should I go to the doctor, what should I do?
Hello. Yes based on the situation, you need to go to your doctor. It’s not normal for you to miss your period for so long.
Hey my last cycle started on the 11th of march which it always comes on the 11th ! My boyfriend and I had sex on April 2nd and my cycle has not yet come what do you think ?
Hi, my period was 2 weeks & 3 days late. A week & a half of being late I took a pregnancy test & came back negative. I started bleeding & it wasn’t like my normal period. Can I still be pregnant? I’ve been craving spicy food & I don’t like spicy food. I’ve been having the worst headaches.
You may not be pregnant, however you need to see your doctor about the bleeding.
I last got my period feb 22 I’ve taken home pregnancy test but negative results and I’ve always been regular what could possibly be wrong
My last period 1st march.. cycle has been 24 days had sex on 16th /18th march..did some tests .. got a really faint line .. should I wait few days will it get darker or not .
Hi Jo, Yes, please take a test again. By now, you should get a dark line. All the best!
I saw my period 29 of march and I had sexual intercourse on the 13 of march I did PT but it was negative. I am having symptoms and now I am seeing blood.
My last menstrual was on March 4th. I took two tests yesterday – the 28th and they both came back positive. Can it be a false positive?
No, it is rather unlikely to have two false positives. You are pregnant.
Hi, my name is Lily! My last period was on 20th February, I’m 28 cycles. Suppose to have my period on the 19th but its 3 days delayed! Should I still wait?
Yes, give it some time to come. If you’ve had unprotected sex during that time then you need to wait and see if your period will come.