Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow They WorkWhen to Take a Pregnancy TestInstructionsAccuracyFalse ResultsWhen to Call a Doctor
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How They Work
When to Take a Pregnancy Test
Instructions
Accuracy
False Results
When to Call a Doctor
The earliest most at-homepregnancy testswill read positive is 10 days after conception. Some early-detection pregnancy tests may read positive as early as eight days post-conception with about 75% accuracy. However, all pregnancy tests are most accurate if you wait until after your period is late.
Pregnancy tests detect the pregnancy hormonehuman chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)in urine. Levels rise quickly in the first few weeks of pregnancy but can be too low to be detected if you test too early. This gives you what’s known as a false-negative result, meaning you are pregnant but the pregnancy test says otherwise.
This article discusses early pregnancy tests and how soon a pregnancy test can show a positive. It explains how long you should wait to take a pregnancy test for the most accurate results and when you should contact your healthcare provider.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
How Pregnancy Tests Work
Early pregnancy tests are more sensitive than traditional over-the-counter pregnancy tests and can potentially detect hCG earlier on.
How Long Is a Menstrual Cycle?
What if My Pregnancy Test Is Negative?Getting a negative pregnancy test result does not necessarily mean your urine does not contain hCG—especially if it’s taken before a missed period. It just means your urine does not have enough hCG in it to trigger a positive result.
What if My Pregnancy Test Is Negative?
Getting a negative pregnancy test result does not necessarily mean your urine does not contain hCG—especially if it’s taken before a missed period. It just means your urine does not have enough hCG in it to trigger a positive result.
Can a Negative Pregnancy Test Result Be Wrong?
The best time to take a pregnancy test is after your period is late. By then, hCG levels should have increased to a detectable level and you can be more certain that you’re not getting a false negative.
To know when you should have gotten your period, it helps to know when you ovulated. Menstrual bleeding usually begins 14 days afterovulation. To track ovulation, you can useovulation test kitsor track yourbasal body temperature.
If you don’t want to wait until after your missed period to take a test, early pregnancy tests can be used several days before a missed period. These tests are more accurate for people who conceived (got pregnant) earlier in their cycle.If you received anhCG trigger shotto help with fertility, it’s best to wait two weeks after the shot to take a pregnancy test. The trigger shot can cause a false positive if a pregnancy test is taken before the medication has left your system.
Taking a pregnancy test first thing in the morning gives you a better chance of getting an accurate result. Assuming you have not been waking up to drink a lot of water through the night, your urine will be more concentrated right when you wake up, which means hCG will also be more concentrated and therefore more detectable.
When Is the Best Time to Take a Pregnancy Test?
How to Take a Home Pregnancy Test
To use an at-home OTC pregnancy test, follow the package instructions. This usually means peeing on the end of a stick, which will check your urine for hCG. Small amounts of hCG can sometimes be detected in the urine about 10 days after conception.
If you take a urine pregnancy test sooner than 10 days after conception, the tests might give a “false negative” result. If you take an early test and it’s negative, you should continue to test if you miss a period.
For the most reliable results, wait until after the first day of your missed period to take a pregnancy test.
Pregnancy tests should be kept at room temperature. Keep them away from direct sunlight, moisture, or excessive heat. Make sure to check the expiration date before using. Pregnancy tests that are past their expiration date should be discarded.
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How Accurate Are Early Pregnancy Tests?
Pregnancy tests typically require at least 20 mIU/mL to show positive.Newer early results tests may be able to detect levels as low as 6 mIU/mL.
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Early Pregnancy Tests
Different brands make different claims about accuracy and when you should use them:
Understanding Chemical Pregnancy: What Causes Early Miscarriage?
Can Pregnancy Tests Be Wrong?
Pregnancy tests can be wrong. In one European study, seven pregnancy tests were tested for accuracy. Three of those seven tests were accurate 97.6% to 100% of the time. The other four tests had lower accuracy rates, ranging from 81.6% to 95.9%. The study did note that regulations for these tests are different in Europe than in the United States and that the results may also vary based on the user.
False negatives are much more common, and can happen for a range of reasons:
Can You Get a False Positive Pregnancy Test Result?
When to Re-Take a Pregnancy Test
If your test is negative and your period is late and/or you are experiencing pregnancy symptoms, wait at least three days to test again. If your pregnancy test is still negative, test again in three days. This gives hCG levels a chance to reach detectable levels.
Some symptoms ofearly pregnancyinclude:
Early Pregnancy Symptoms Before a Missed Period
What Is a False Positive Pregnancy Test?
False positive pregnancy tests are uncommon, but they can happen.Some of the causes of false pregnancy test results include:
What Is a Pregnancy Test?
How Soon Can You Take a Pregnancy Test After IVF?Your IVF provider will let you know when to take a pregnancy test, but generally, you should wait about two weeks after treatment.
How Soon Can You Take a Pregnancy Test After IVF?
Your IVF provider will let you know when to take a pregnancy test, but generally, you should wait about two weeks after treatment.
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
If you have missed your period but have not tested positive using an at-home pregnancy test, wait about a week to see if you get your period. If not, test again.
Contact your healthcare provider if the tests stay negative and you still don’t get a period. If you don’t have a period for three or more months and you are not pregnant, it is called amenorrhea.
If you do test positive, call your healthcare provider to schedule an appointment. Many want the first pregnancy appointment to occur at six to eight weeksgestationor two to four weeks after your missed period and/or a positive pregnancy test.
Summary
Most pregnancy tests are very accurate if you take them after you’ve missed a period. Early pregnancy tests may be able to detect a pregnancy as soon as 10 days after conception, but these tests are not as accurate.
Pregnancy tests check your urine for the presence of a pregnancy hormone called hCG. Make sure you follow the test’s instructions. They are most accurate if you take them when you urinate for the first time in the morning.
It is possible for a pregnancy test to be falsely negative. This often happens because the test wasn’t taken correctly or it was taken too soon. If you test negative but are experiencing pregnancy symptoms, it’s a good idea to wait a few days and retake the test.
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Timeline for Getting Pregnant
14 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.Planned Parenthood Federation of American.Pregnancy tests.Herr K, Moreno C, Fantz C, et al.Rate of detection of unsuspected pregnancies after implementation of mandatory point-of-care urine pregnancy testing prior to hysterosalpingography.J Am Coll Radiol. 2013 Jul;10(7):533-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2013.01.011.Cleveland Clinic.Pregnancy test information.Office on Women’s Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Pregnancy tests.University of Rochester Medical Center.Health encyclopedia: HCG (urine)U.S. Food and Drug Administration.510(k) Substantial equivalence determination decision summary assay only template: First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test.First Response.Early result pregnancy test.Clearblue.Early detection pregnancy test.Clearblue.Digital pregnancy test with smart countdown.Natalist.Early pregnancy test strips.MomMed.HCG20 MomMed pregnancy test.Boxer J, Weddell S, Broomhead D, Hogg C, Johnson S.Home pregnancy tests in the hands of the intended user.J Immunoassay Immunochem. 2019;40(6):642-652. doi: 10.1080/15321819.2019.1671861Betz D, Fane K.Human chorionic gonadotropin. In:StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Amenorrhea: absence of periods.
14 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.Planned Parenthood Federation of American.Pregnancy tests.Herr K, Moreno C, Fantz C, et al.Rate of detection of unsuspected pregnancies after implementation of mandatory point-of-care urine pregnancy testing prior to hysterosalpingography.J Am Coll Radiol. 2013 Jul;10(7):533-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2013.01.011.Cleveland Clinic.Pregnancy test information.Office on Women’s Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Pregnancy tests.University of Rochester Medical Center.Health encyclopedia: HCG (urine)U.S. Food and Drug Administration.510(k) Substantial equivalence determination decision summary assay only template: First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test.First Response.Early result pregnancy test.Clearblue.Early detection pregnancy test.Clearblue.Digital pregnancy test with smart countdown.Natalist.Early pregnancy test strips.MomMed.HCG20 MomMed pregnancy test.Boxer J, Weddell S, Broomhead D, Hogg C, Johnson S.Home pregnancy tests in the hands of the intended user.J Immunoassay Immunochem. 2019;40(6):642-652. doi: 10.1080/15321819.2019.1671861Betz D, Fane K.Human chorionic gonadotropin. In:StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Amenorrhea: absence of periods.
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.
Planned Parenthood Federation of American.Pregnancy tests.Herr K, Moreno C, Fantz C, et al.Rate of detection of unsuspected pregnancies after implementation of mandatory point-of-care urine pregnancy testing prior to hysterosalpingography.J Am Coll Radiol. 2013 Jul;10(7):533-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2013.01.011.Cleveland Clinic.Pregnancy test information.Office on Women’s Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Pregnancy tests.University of Rochester Medical Center.Health encyclopedia: HCG (urine)U.S. Food and Drug Administration.510(k) Substantial equivalence determination decision summary assay only template: First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test.First Response.Early result pregnancy test.Clearblue.Early detection pregnancy test.Clearblue.Digital pregnancy test with smart countdown.Natalist.Early pregnancy test strips.MomMed.HCG20 MomMed pregnancy test.Boxer J, Weddell S, Broomhead D, Hogg C, Johnson S.Home pregnancy tests in the hands of the intended user.J Immunoassay Immunochem. 2019;40(6):642-652. doi: 10.1080/15321819.2019.1671861Betz D, Fane K.Human chorionic gonadotropin. In:StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Amenorrhea: absence of periods.
Planned Parenthood Federation of American.Pregnancy tests.
Herr K, Moreno C, Fantz C, et al.Rate of detection of unsuspected pregnancies after implementation of mandatory point-of-care urine pregnancy testing prior to hysterosalpingography.J Am Coll Radiol. 2013 Jul;10(7):533-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2013.01.011.
Cleveland Clinic.Pregnancy test information.
Office on Women’s Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Pregnancy tests.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Health encyclopedia: HCG (urine)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.510(k) Substantial equivalence determination decision summary assay only template: First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test.
First Response.Early result pregnancy test.
Clearblue.Early detection pregnancy test.
Clearblue.Digital pregnancy test with smart countdown.
Natalist.Early pregnancy test strips.
MomMed.HCG20 MomMed pregnancy test.
Boxer J, Weddell S, Broomhead D, Hogg C, Johnson S.Home pregnancy tests in the hands of the intended user.J Immunoassay Immunochem. 2019;40(6):642-652. doi: 10.1080/15321819.2019.1671861
Betz D, Fane K.Human chorionic gonadotropin. In:StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Amenorrhea: absence of periods.
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