when can i take a pregnancy test?

When You Should Take a Pregnancy Test

Overview
When to test
Missed period
Cramps
Sore breasts
Other physical symptoms
Contraceptive failure
Takeaway
Expert Q&A

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How pregnancy tests work

Think you might be pregnant?

Even with the most effective birth control methods, there | s always a chance for error. After all, it takes just one sperm to fertilize the egg. Finding out whether or not that | s happened is as easy as taking an over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy test.

OTC pregnancy tests typically test your urine for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). HCG is only present if you | re pregnant. The hormone is only released if a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus or to your uterine lining.

There are different ways to collect your urine for the test. Depending on the test you choose, you may have to:

collect your urine in a cup and dip a testing stick into the liquid
collect your urine in a cup and use an eyedropper to move a small amount of fluid into a special container
place the testing stick into the area of your expected urine stream so that it will catch your urine midstream

According to Cleveland Clinic, most tests are 99 percent effective if taken after a missed period. The best part is that you can do it in the privacy of your own home. Simply open the test, follow the instructions, and wait for the recommended amount of time to view the results.

After the recommended waiting time has passed, the tests will display your results in one of the following ways:

a change in color
a line
a symbol, such as plus or minus
the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant”

How soon can you take a pregnancy test?

You should wait to take a pregnancy test until the week after your missed period for the most accurate result.

If you don | t want to wait until you | ve missed your period, you should wait at least one to two weeks after you had sex. If you are pregnant, your body needs time to develop detectable levels of HCG. This typically takes seven to 12 days after successful implantation of an egg.

You may receive an inaccurate result if the test is taken too early in your cycle.

Here are some signs that you should take a pregnancy test.