Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen to Take a TestHow Soon Is Too Soon?Timing TestingTaking a Pregnancy TestNext Steps
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When to Take a Test
How Soon Is Too Soon?
Timing Testing
Taking a Pregnancy Test
Next Steps
Whether you’re actively trying to get pregnant or not, the time between unprotected sex and when you can take a pregnancy test feels like forever. But if you test too soon, you risk getting a false-negative result, meaning you’re pregnant but the test shows you’re not.
The right time to take a pregnancy test after having unprotected sex is the first day after a missed period or 21 days after unprotected sex if you have irregular periods.
This article will explain why it’s important to wait and how to take a pregnancy test for accurate results.
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When to Take a Pregnancy Test
The best time to take a pregnancy test is the first day after a missed period or 21 days after unprotected sex. Some tests claim they can detect a pregnancy a few days before a missed period, but you may get inaccurate results.
It takes just minutes after unprotected sex for the sperm to reach and fertilize the egg. Then, it will take several more days for the fertilized egg to travel to the uterus and implant itself in theuterine lining. It can take two to three weeks from when you have unprotected sex to when you are officially pregnant.
What If It’s Been Less Than 5 Days Since You Had Sex?
Taking a pregnancy test less than five days after having unprotected sex is too soon.
An early test may not detect low HCG levels before a missed period, potentially producing a false negative result.
Timing Testing Around Your Periods
If you know when your next period is due, wait until you are late to take a pregnancy test. Pregnancy is one of the potentialcauses of a missed period. Usually, it is the very first sign of pregnancy. The result of a pregnancy test is also more likely to be accurate when you take it after a missed period.
Knowing when your next period is due can be trickier if you have irregular periods. If you’re unsure when your next period will arrive, take a pregnancy test three weeks after you had unprotected sex.
How (and When) to Take a Pregnancy Test
The pregnancy hormone, HCG, can be found in the urine and in the blood.At-home pregnancy testsuse urine, while blood tests can only be taken at your healthcare provider’s office or another medical center.
At-home pregnancy tests are a solid option because they are easy to use, inexpensive, and convenient. You’ll have your results in a matter of minutes. At-home pregnancy tests can be found at most drugstores, discount stores, online, and in the family planning sections at grocery stores.
At-home pregnancy tests require peeing on a stick with a test strip inside it, or they may use a paper strip that you would dip into a clean cup containing your urine. You must follow the instructions exactly, no matter what brand or type of at-home pregnancy test you use. If the test has expired, get a new test.
At-home pregnancy tests are 99% accurate when used correctly. Here are some tips to avoid false positives, which occur when the test reads positive but you’re actually not pregnant:
Pregnancy Tests: Blood vs. UrineThere is no difference in accuracy between blood and urine tests for pregnancy if taken after a missed period. However, blood tests are more sensitive before a missed period and can detect HCG to confirm pregnancy at that time. Unless your healthcare provider tells you one is needed, a blood test is unnecessary to confirm a pregnancy.
Pregnancy Tests: Blood vs. Urine
There is no difference in accuracy between blood and urine tests for pregnancy if taken after a missed period. However, blood tests are more sensitive before a missed period and can detect HCG to confirm pregnancy at that time. Unless your healthcare provider tells you one is needed, a blood test is unnecessary to confirm a pregnancy.
What to Do About Your Pregnancy Test Results
Assuming you have taken the pregnancy test after a missed period and followed instructions correctly, you are not pregnant if the results are negative. If your results are positive, it’s safe to assume that you are pregnant.
Make an appointment with a healthcare provider to confirm the pregnancy and get a physical examination. If this was a planned pregnancy, you may be happy but still overwhelmed with the news. An unplanned pregnancy will be more complicated. You can discuss next steps with your healthcare provider and a counselor.
What Is a Pregnancy Test?
Summary
If you have had unprotected sex and you think you may be pregnant, you need to know as soon as possible. At-home pregnancy tests are inexpensive and can be found at most drug and grocery stores.
The best time to take a pregnancy test is first thing in the morning, after a missed period. If you don’t know when your period is due, you’ll need to take the test three weeks after you had unprotected sex. Regardless of your results, discuss next steps with a healthcare provider.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Pregnancy test.Kennedy CE, Yeh PT, Gholbzouri K, Narasimhan M.Self-testing for pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ Open. 2022;12(2):e054120. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054120Planned Parenthood.How soon after unprotected sex can I take a pregnancy test?.Gnoth C, Johnson S.Strips of hope: accuracy of home pregnancy tests and new developments.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2014;74(7):661-669. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1368589Planned Parenthood.Pregnancy tests.Planned Parenthood.Pregnancy options.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Pregnancy test.Kennedy CE, Yeh PT, Gholbzouri K, Narasimhan M.Self-testing for pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ Open. 2022;12(2):e054120. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054120Planned Parenthood.How soon after unprotected sex can I take a pregnancy test?.Gnoth C, Johnson S.Strips of hope: accuracy of home pregnancy tests and new developments.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2014;74(7):661-669. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1368589Planned Parenthood.Pregnancy tests.Planned Parenthood.Pregnancy options.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Pregnancy test.Kennedy CE, Yeh PT, Gholbzouri K, Narasimhan M.Self-testing for pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ Open. 2022;12(2):e054120. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054120Planned Parenthood.How soon after unprotected sex can I take a pregnancy test?.Gnoth C, Johnson S.Strips of hope: accuracy of home pregnancy tests and new developments.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2014;74(7):661-669. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1368589Planned Parenthood.Pregnancy tests.Planned Parenthood.Pregnancy options.
MedlinePlus.Pregnancy test.
Kennedy CE, Yeh PT, Gholbzouri K, Narasimhan M.Self-testing for pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ Open. 2022;12(2):e054120. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054120
Planned Parenthood.How soon after unprotected sex can I take a pregnancy test?.
Gnoth C, Johnson S.Strips of hope: accuracy of home pregnancy tests and new developments.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2014;74(7):661-669. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1368589
Planned Parenthood.Pregnancy tests.
Planned Parenthood.Pregnancy options.
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