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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 I’m Stephanie So my LMP was on May 4th and ended on May 7th .. Me and my boyfriend had unprotected sex while I was fertile and while I was ovulating. My projected period was soposto have start on June 1st and till this day I have not gotten my period.
Could there be a chance that I could be pregnant ?
Any advice would be great .
Thank you !!
Hi, Having sex around or on your ovulation days gives you the best chances of being pregnant. Take a pregnancy test to check if you are pregnant or not.
Hey I have a question. My hubby and I are trying to Conceive. We made love May 28-29. He did release both times. I ovulated on the 31st of May. My cervix mucous is whitish. My cervix is really low. Just wondering if I could be pregnant
I got my period on May 24th and ended on on the 30th and ovulated the very same day, is it too soon to test? I’ve been peeing a lot more then usual, my breasts are super sensitive and I’m always tired, my app says I may be able to take a test, but I’m just wondering if anyone else has taken a test this early and if so what was the results? TIA ????
Most pregnancy tests have days mentioned after which you should take it.However, sensitivity of your home pregnancy test kit is also important.
Hi my name Is pearl and I think I missed my period it was supposed to come on June 2 2016 and it didn’t come but I been having these lower back pains and migraines I took a test before my missed period and it came out negative
Hi Pearl, Sometimes PMS and pregnancy symtoms are same. Stress and physical discomfort may sometimes lead to missed period also.
Hey so I had the IUD for 5 years exact got it removed April 27,16, I didn’t have my period through out the 5 years of being on the birth control but my period came on the day I got the IUD removed and ended April 30,16, so I think it was my period. Started using ovulation kit because I am (TTC) so I started ovulating on may 27,16 to June 2,16 and had sex the entire month with my husband my question is can I be pregnant and when can I take a pregnancy test???
Your body may need time to balance out before you become pregnant. Yes, you can become pregnant but it is not as likely since you just had a IUD removed. Keep doing what you are doing. When you miss a cycle or one is late, take a test 2 weeks after. The blood could have been just from having the IUD removed and not an actual period.
Hi. I would really appreciate some advice please. My LMP was 27th April (the 1st day of my LMP) I bled for 7 days – my usual cycle is 28days but I seem to have missed one now. I took a test yesterday got a negative result. If I was pregnant and I was due the 25th of May surely it would show by now right??
Hello. Yes, the test should give accurate results now. You may need to see your doctor to determine the reason for the missed period.
Any advice would be much appreciated. My last period ended on 25th April. Periods are normally regular on around 20th of each month. I am now 12 days late. I had spotted about 10 days ago and have had stomach cramps (a lot like period pain) and lower back pain. Took 3 tests, all negative. Has anyone else had a similar experience?
Hi Karen, my situation was exactly the same thing. I missed my period in May, but I thought it was stress. I had pelvic pain along with a terrible headache, so I bought 2 pregnancy test and they gave me a faint positive on both, but they were so faint that you had to look at them with a very bright light. Well a few days past and I went and bought 2 more, I took one right away and it was negative, but the pelvic pain along with a terrible headache were still lingering on, so I decided to go to the ER. Well turns out, in fact I am pregnant, the urine sample they took from me was still negative, but when they drawed blood from me it showed up then. The Dr told me it was too soon to read off of my urine, but my baby hormones are low which means its extremely early. So you may want to try and set up you an appointment with your obgyn. I hope this helps you.
Hi. I had my last period on March 30 and then on May 4… I was off the pills for at list two months… Today is May 31… We had sex with my husband during my ovulation… Is it two early for me to do a pregnancy test (First response) tomorrow the first thing in the morning? Thank you.
Hi Svetlana, Most pregnancy tests have days mentioned after which you should take it.However, sensitivity of your home pregnancy test kit is also important.
Hi am Stacy I missed my last period April the 15 n I take 5 test n the first one say positive n the next 4 say negative sometimes I see spots does anybody knows what’s going on
Hi Stacy, spotting is also an early sign of pregnancy. You should consult a doctor to be confirmed of pregnancy.
Hi, my name is Ashia (like the country), and my lmp was April 26. Today is Memorial Day, and I have yet to see my period, my headaches are more frequent and my breast looks like I’ve had a procedure done and my mood swings are through the roof. I’m too nervous to take a home pregnancy test!
Hello. Though you’re having the typical pregnancy symptoms, it’s best for you to take a pregnancy test. It’s okay to be anxious but you should shake off the nervousness and get it done.
Had an abortion on the 3rd of feb. and seen my period for 14 days after I did the abortion but the hold month of March and April I haven’t seen any period but I took a test on the 28th of April and it shows neg. but I also took one this month as well on the 25th and it shows positive so I’m wondering if I’m really pregnant or should I take another test to make sure. Can someone help me understand please and Thanks.
Hi, pregnancy tests could show negative results even if it might be positive sometimes because of bad quality reasons. You should take another one to be sure.
Hello, I came on my period on the 29th of April and my cycle is usually every 28-29 days. My husband and I had sex the day I ovulated, which was the 14th now I’m starting to feel nauseous at night. When should I take a 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 great accuracy.
That’s the same date of my lmp I took my test yesterday and it was positive
Hello my last period was on April 14th, I had unprotected sex on April 27th. When should I take a 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 great accuracy.
Hi, had my period last April 3, 2016 (first day of menses) I started drinking pills (birth control pills) on the very same day. Then last April 22, 2016 I got my period again but it was not as heavy as my usual period. And now I’m missing my period. Is this normal (because I’m taking pills)? I tested and it was negative. I’m worried that pregnant and I’m still taking my pills till now. Should I stop?
Hello. I last took my BC pill on April 29th. I did not have sex but have not started my period. I did however have sex on May 7th with out protection. Can I be pregnant? I have been really punctual with my periods. I know I’m not late because I am pregnant, but I am uneasy about now possibly being pregnant for having sex and not being on my pill. Can I be pregnant? HELP!!!
Hello. Your chances of being pregnant depend on whether you were fertile on or around the date that you had sex. If you had unprotected sex especially during your fertile days then you are at risk of becoming pregnant. The length of your menstrual cycle and the first day of your last period are needed to provide the most accurate response.
My last period was April the first and lasted until the 4th, I have a 28 day cycle , my boyfriend and I did have sex when I was ovulated. I had googy brown discharge when ever I would wipe on the 17th of April and the I started spotting on the 18 and 19th but my period wasn’t suppose to start until the 29th. I don’t know if I should consider the 18th and 19th or considered that 29th was a missed period? If Iam pregnant I should be around five weeks would that be far enough to provide an accurate test result?
Hi Kay, Spotting after ovulation does not mean periods. You can check pregnancy by going through a pregnancy test 10 days after your missed period date. All the best!
I need help!!!!! I have a 28-29 cycle My last period was April 4 I’m now 7 days late on my period I tested but it came negative but I still don’t get my period!!!! Could that been a false negative? Was it to early to take the test?
Give yourself at least 3 more days and take another pregnancy test.