If you miss a period — whether you forgot your pill or are hoping to conceive — it might be an idea to take a pregnancy test. Tests can often show if you are pregnant from the first day of a missed period.
Some pregnancy tests can detect pregnancy before a period is due, but the body needs time to increase its levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for a reliable result. Testing before a missed period can increase the risk of a false negative result.
In this article, find out how pregnancy tests work and how soon you can take one if you think you may be pregnant.
Some tests are very sensitive and can show if you are pregnant before your period is due.
However, it is best to wait until at least the first day of a missed period to take any test. For a more accurate result, take the test a week after your missed period.
The reason you shouldn’t take a test too soon is that pregnancy tests work by measuring levels of HCG, a hormone that is only present if you’re pregnant.
The body only releases HCG if a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus in a process known as implantation. Implantation usually happens around 10 days after conception, when the sperm fertilizes the egg.
Traces of HCG are present from 6 days after implantation, but it typically takes 7–10 days after implantation for the body to build up enough HCG to show up on a test.
If you have an irregular cycle and don’t know when your period was due, it’s best to take the test at least 21 days after having unprotected sex.
You may receive an inaccurate result if you take the test too early in your cycle.
Whether you are trying to conceive or are concerned that your birth control went wrong, a pregnancy test can help confirm if you are pregnant or not. But, taking it too soon might give a false result.
OTC pregnancy tests typically test your urine for HCG hormone.
How you test your urine will depend on the kit you choose.
You may have to:
According to the Office on Women’s Health, home pregnancy tests are almost 99% effective if you use them correctly.
You can do the test in the privacy of your own home. Simply open the test, follow the instructions, and wait for the recommended time to view the results.
After the recommended waiting time has passed, the tests will display your results in one of the following ways:
Most tests will give a result within a few minutes.
At-home pregnancy tests are typically 99% accurate, as long as you follow the instructions and don’t test too soon.
Some test producers say their test can show if you are pregnant 6 days before your period is due, but these tests are less likely to be accurate. They may show you are not pregnant when in fact you are, because HCG levels are still too low.
Taking a test 5 days or even 2 weeks after having unprotected sex may not be worthwhile, as the result may be inaccurate.
Some early signs of pregnancy include a missed period, unusual spotting or bleeding that doesn’t follow the pattern of menstruation, sore breasts, cramps, and “just feeling different.” For many people, a missed period is the only sign they notice at this stage.
Signs that you might want to consider a pregnancy test include a missed period, sore breasts, or simply having sex with a male without using birth control.
For the best results, take the test after you think you’ve missed your period. Test during your first morning bathroom visit, or hold it for several hours to increase the concentration of the HCG hormone that the test measures.
Testing early helps to ensure that you get proper care for yourself and, if applicable, prenatal care for your baby. In the event of a positive result, contact your doctor as soon as possible to discuss your options and potential next steps.
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