Will the test show pregnancy correct result? How can I tell if I'm pregnant? These questions are often asked by women, regardless of whether they are expecting a child or, on the contrary, they are afraid of responsibility and want to avoid it. There are a huge number of tests on the market today; every woman can choose the most convenient option for herself.

Of course, we should not forget that quality of pregnancy tests may vary greatly. How many days after sex can you take a pregnancy test? Is it possible to get the correct answer at home? You will learn about this in this article.

It all depends test, which you purchase, because one is more sensitive and shows the answer quickly enough, the other later. If you want to get information about the likelihood of conceiving a child, then take care of a high-quality test, study the instructions and be mentally prepared for any answer.

Only a week has passed since sexual intercourse, and you already want to learn the answer as soon as possible, but in fact it’s still too early. The strips will not show anything yet, and only an ultrasound can record the process of fetal development. The test in the form of strips reacts to changes in hormones in a woman’s body, but do not forget that conception does not occur immediately after intimacy with a partner.

Wait you will have at least 2 weeks, because the lifespan of an egg is 1-2 days. If during this period of time a sperm is encountered on its way, then only after 5-7 days it attaches to the wall of the uterus and the process of conception occurs. This explains the point that in a few days nothing will be clear, so do not rush to run to the pharmacy for a test.

What kind of pregnancy tests are there?

1. Strip. The most budget option, which is also the lowest in quality. Most often, girls and women buy it, because it is sold in any pharmacy and costs a penny. In order to do the test, you need to collect a little urine in the reservoir and lower the strip into it. By following the instructions, you can get the answer. It is better to take two strips at once so that this answer is more accurate.

2. Jet. A more expensive analogue, which is distinguished by its convenience. In order to determine if you are pregnant, you can do a test directly during urination, without a reservoir. In just a few minutes you will be able to get a fairly accurate answer.

3. Tablet. Not the most convenient option for home use, so it is often used for medical purposes. To get the result, it is important to draw a little urine into the reservoir, take a few drops from there with a pipette and apply it to a specific well on the tablet.

4. Digital. The newest version of pregnancy tests, which is distinguished by the accuracy of the data. A completely new generation of tests, a universal option both among doctors and among women who want to get an answer at home.

How much time is needed for result- it depends on the instructions and the type of test you have chosen for yourself. The test strip will not detect it so quickly, even if it has already occurred. Only on the 14th day after unprotected sex should you try to find out the likelihood. Of course, a delay in menstruation must necessarily be the reason for the detection of pregnancy; in the first few days of the delay, it is quite possible to obtain correct information.

Even if you get Negative answer, be sure to go to an appointment with a gynecologist to check the condition of your body, because sometimes a delay can be a symptom of a serious illness.

Lead menstrual cycle calendar. This will allow you to determine the beginning and end of the cycle, calculate your periods and plan your schedule, but you will also be able to roughly understand whether fertilization could have occurred on days of low probability. If you go to an appointment with a gynecologist, be sure to take a calendar with you so that he can see the full picture and draw some conclusions in accordance with your schedule.


How to take a pregnancy test?

Don't forget that when misuse even the best test may not show the correct result, because not all women know the basic rules.

Use to test for pregnancy only morning urine. This is due to the fact that we do not drink water at night, so the urine becomes concentrated overnight. Sometimes on the packaging of a new advertised product you can see an inscription that this test can be done at any time of the day. But you shouldn’t believe it, it’s better to play it safe and do it in the morning, because this way the likelihood of getting the correct answer is much higher.

- Read the instructions carefully. Many girls and women, once using a pregnancy test, forget about the need to read the instructions every time. And in vain, because each product is unique in its own way: for one you need to wait 1-2 minutes, and for the second up to 10. There must be at least one stripe. Expressed, clear. If you don’t see anything, it means you did the test incorrectly or you received a defective product.
Unfortunately, not all pregnancy tests give the correct answer, so sometimes it is necessary to do it again.

- Take your time. Some girls and women run out to buy a test 1-2 days after sex, but in the end they don’t get the right answer. If we talk about general data, then gynecologists recommend for the greatest clarity of data to do a test on the 5th day of a missed period. If you need to focus on the days after sex, then this is no earlier than 2 or even 3 weeks.

Is it possible to do the test during menstruation? Most women want to get an answer as quickly as possible, and even the presence of spotting does not become an obstacle. In fact, menstruation does not distort the accuracy of the result in any way if you can collect urine for the test without a drop of blood.

Reasons for delay not related to unprotected sex:
- Ovarian cyst
- Stress and climate change
- Hormonal disorders
- Colds, viruses, various infections
- Excessive physical activity
- Polycystic ovary syndrome.

- Return to section table of contents " "

Almost every woman at some point in her life has faced doubts about pregnancy, which could occur during unprotected intercourse. In the case when the probable date of conception is known, only one task remains - to determine after what time a pregnancy test can be taken.

The principle of determining pregnancy test

All known pregnancy tests work the same way. A reagent applied to a certain area of ​​the device, interacting with a woman’s urine, determines the presence in it of the hormone responsible for pregnancy - human chorionic gonadotropin (abbreviated as hCG). This substance is present only during a woman’s pregnancy or, in rare cases, during certain organ dysfunctions.

The chorion (placenta) begins to produce hCG only when the fertilized egg is fixed inside the woman’s uterus, and in case of an ectopic pregnancy, outside it. This happens only a certain number of days after the probable conception. During this period of time, the embryo moves from the ovary through the tube into the uterine cavity. During the period of its movement, no significant changes occur in the woman’s body, and the “pregnancy hormone” is also not yet produced.

Based on the above, it makes no sense to carry out a test in the very first 7–10 days of probable pregnancy. His result during this period will always be negative.

You also need to know that conception does not necessarily occur during sexual intercourse. Sperm can remain in a woman’s body without dying for several more days, waiting for ovulation. So, when determining how long after conception testing will be indicative, this fact must also be taken into account.

Which test to choose

An important criterion when assessing the likelihood of which day after conception the test will show pregnancy is the choice of the test itself. The difference in this case is the sensitivity of the device to the hCG hormone. This value usually ranges from 10 to 25 mIU/ml and means the lowest level of the hormone in the urine that the test can detect.

The lower the sensitivity value, the more accurately the test can determine the presence of pregnancy. If the value of 10 mIU/ml is indicated on the package, this is the most accurate device, since no test shows a lower hormone content.

This was not done by chance - the urine of a non-pregnant woman may contain a small amount of hCG. If tests could detect any small amount of it, the result would often be positive even without pregnancy.

When choosing a high-precision test, the study can be carried out on the 7th - 10th day of a possible pregnancy, and if its sensitivity is low, only after 12 - 14 days. These deadlines are the minimum for testing.

If the test is negative during the procedure in the first weeks after ovulation, this may not be definitively correct. In this case, it is necessary to repeat the procedure with another test, waiting 3–5 days after the first one.

If the test is positive, even in the early stages, there is a 99% chance that there is a pregnancy. If at the same time its first signs began to appear, there can certainly be no doubt. Even if the second stripe is very light and barely visible, this can also be considered a positive answer, it’s just that the period is still short, and the hCG hormone is present in small quantities.

Impact of the menstrual cycle

To more accurately determine the best period for the test, it is also necessary to take into account the characteristics of the body. All women have different menstrual cycle lengths:

  • Short cycle (lasting less than 24 days). In this case, ovulation occurs less than 12 days before the start of menstruation. And conception also occurs around the same period. Such women generally should not try to determine pregnancy before the delay occurs, because the period will still be too short. And after the delay, you still need to wait 3–4 days, and only then carry out the test.
  • Average cycle (from 24 to 32 days). This is the average parameter that most women fall under. In this case, it is possible to determine pregnancy from the first days of waiting for your period.
  • Long cycle (more than 32 days). It would seem that with a long cycle, the pregnancy period before the delay will already be sufficient. But, basically, ovulation in such women does not occur in the middle of the cycle, as is usually the case, but occurs with a slight delay. Thus, it is also advisable to carry out the test no earlier than the first day of the expected menstruation.
  • Uneven cycle. Sometimes the number of days between periods can be inconsistent. In such a situation, it is difficult to correlate the timing with the delay, since predicting menstruation is not possible. Here, of course, it is easier to start from the expected date of conception and conduct research at least two weeks after it.

In any case, it is advisable to carry out the test as late as possible to avoid incorrect results. It is not necessary to do it in the very first days, when this is already possible - the shorter the period, the lower the likelihood of the reliability of the answer received.

How to do the test correctly

If you do not follow the basic instructions, then even taking into account all the factors, you may get the wrong result. Basic rules you need to know:

  1. The most indicative is urine collected in the morning. Its concentration is usually higher.
  2. Before testing, you should not drink a lot of fluids or take diuretics to prevent your urine from being diluted.
  3. Before using the test, be sure to read the instructions.
  4. It is necessary to ensure that the test liquid gets only onto the required area of ​​the test, without affecting its main part.
  5. The device should not be expired; if so, its use does not guarantee the correct result.
  6. All tests are intended for one-time use; the same one cannot be used again.

If these instructions are not followed, the test may result in either a false positive or a false negative. This can be misleading and the interpretation of the response received will be incorrect.

conclusions

Summarizing all of the above, it is worth identifying the main factors that influence how many days after conception the test will show pregnancy. Here is their list:

  • After sexual intercourse has occurred, conception can occur within a period of several hours to 5–7 days.
  • In the first 7–8 days after the expected conception, tests are not indicative, because the “pregnancy hormone” has not yet appeared in the urine.
  • If you focus on menstruation and their delay, you need to take into account the length of the menstrual cycle.
  • It is imperative to take into account the sensitivity of the selected pregnancy test.
  • If used incorrectly, the device may show unreliable results at any time.

Based on average statistical data, it is possible to determine pregnancy with a test 12 to 15 days after conception. Typically this period occurs in the first days of the menstrual cycle. For greater efficiency, you should not test before the delay begins. If the results are negative in the short term, it is recommended to repeat the study after 3 to 5 days.

The article talks about when to take a pregnancy test after conception, after an hCG injection, after ovulation.

A woman who dreams of a child, each time her critical days approach, pays more and more attention to her well-being and listens to the signals of her body. And when she feels the usual pain in the lower back, the question arises: are all the attempts made in vain again?

But if suspicions about pregnancy creep in, the first thought that comes to a woman is the opportunity to quickly make sure that a miracle has happened.

  • In other cases, an unplanned pregnancy can become a source of anxiety for a woman. The only way to calm down and lead a normal life is to know that suspicions are not justified
  • How to find out whether the tiny heart of another little man will soon beat or not? Don’t wait two or three months for the long-awaited phrase “you’re pregnant” to be heard during an examination by a gynecologist! What if having a child is not part of your plans for the near future?
  • Today you can easily confirm or refute the birth of a new life inside using a test. But when should the dough strip, which makes life easier for ladies, be used

How many days must pass after conception before the test strips are able to show the correct result? To figure this out, you need to understand what affects the appearance of two stripes when testing.

A cardboard strip of test with a special reagent changes color immediately after urine hits it due to the increased level of human chorionic gonadotropin, which is secreted in the body of a pregnant woman.


Human chorionic gonadotropin enters the blood as soon as fertilization occurs. The pregnancy hormone appears in the female body within seven days after conception, but in small quantities.

An accurate test result is possible provided that its concentration increases a thousand times. To do this, you must wait at least another fourteen days.

The egg is fertilized 1-2 days after sexual intercourse. This is how long it takes for sperm to reach the egg.


But the process does not end there. After fertilization has occurred, the female reproductive cell begins to move towards the uterus, which will last 6-7 days. Having reached the uterus, the egg will begin to implant into its walls. And only then the body begins to produce the pregnancy hormone.

The sensitivity limit of the test strip is reached 10-14 days after fertilization, coinciding with the beginning of the cycle. Therefore, it is advisable to test at home after one day of delay.

Human chorionic gonadotropin may begin to be produced during the development of certain diseases. Medications that contain pregnancy hormones as one of their components can also trigger the production of the pregnancy hormone.


Today there are inkjet tests on sale. They are more expensive than regular ones, and differ from them in high sensitivity. The inkjet test is able to show the correct result even before the delay. Four to five days before the expected critical days, the test will show two stripes


The data on the packaging will help you find out the sensitivity of the test. The numbers and the growth plate show at what concentration of hCG the test strip is able to correctly reflect the result. Usually you can find out about pregnancy 14 days after fertilization using a test.

Studies confirm that pregnancy with a delay of one day can be confirmed only by 16% of tests offered by pharmacies.
After fertilization, human chorionic gonadotropin is produced in maximum quantities only by 8-10 weeks of pregnancy. Subsequently, its quantity decreases.

Another feature associated with the amount of hCG is that it becomes larger during multiple pregnancies. This means that with twins or triplets, the concentration of hCG increases.

If after fertilization the level of the hCG hormone is too low, then an ectopic pregnancy or a threatened miscarriage can be suspected. The test can confirm the absence of pregnancy if there is a delay. Repeated testing will dispel doubts.


  • When purchasing a test, it is recommended to find out its expiration date
  • test left over from the last test should not be used
  • The test must be used strictly according to the instructions
  • It is better to test after waking up, since hormone levels are highest in the morning

If the second stripe is poorly defined, then we can talk about pregnancy. It is better to carry out the next testing after several days. Two lines shown repeatedly by the test confirm pregnancy


When to take a pregnancy test after unprotected intercourse?

The highly sensitive strip test indicates pregnancy at the end of seven days after unprotected sex, hypothetically capable of leading to conception. By this time, the required level of hCG has been achieved.

A highly sensitive jet test will show pregnancy at an hCG level of 10 IU/l, even in the absence of a delay

Medium-sensitive tests determine pregnancy at a hCG level of 20 - 25 IU/l. The indicated level of gonadotropin in the urine, sufficient to produce a two-line reaction on most conventional tests, is achieved only by the third week of pregnancy, or 15-16 days after conception


A test with average sensitivity (20 - 25 IU/l) will show the correct result 15-17 days after sexual intercourse. By this time, if pregnancy is present, menstruation is delayed.

If you had sex a couple of days before the date of your next period, but there is a delay, then testing with an average sensitivity test should be carried out 15 days after the date of sex. The estimated start date of menstruation is ignored in this case.

Highly sensitive tests of 10 IU/L are used on the 7th day after sex. The estimated date of the start of the next menstruation is also not taken into account.

When to take a pregnancy test after menstruation?

If the critical days have arrived, but the woman continues to worry about the onset of pregnancy, or if the spotting only resembles menstruation, then a positive test result is a reason to consult a gynecologist.

Discharge may indicate an ectopic pregnancy and the development of pathologies. Sometimes spotting indicates a woman’s individual characteristics and is not a cause for concern.


A week after the expected conception, the optimal time for testing occurs. But it is better to re-test in a few days. If the delay is 3-4 days, then even a regular test can show pregnancy.

When to take a pregnancy test after ovulation?

After ovulation occurs, even a highly sensitive test is not able to show a positive result, because the production of hCG in the body has not yet begun. And only 7-10 days after the release of the egg from the ovary, its fertilization and attachment to the walls of the uterus, the process of producing the pregnancy hormone begins


Pregnancy can be determined before ovulation by various signs. However, none of them are able to confirm pregnancy

When to take a pregnancy test after IVF?

  • After the IVF procedure, the test is recommended to be carried out in a clinic. The optimal time for this occurs after 14 days. Having attached itself to the wall of the uterus, the embryo immediately begins to produce the hormone gonadotropin. But with IVF, just identifying the pregnancy hormone is not enough
  • It will also be necessary to determine the number of implanted embryos and the attachment site. All this is clarified by ultrasound, which is prescribed on the seventh day after IVF. A repeat ultrasound is scheduled on the seventh day. Its purpose is to check the heartbeat and normal development of the embryo
  • Carrying out a test ahead of schedule may cause premature joy due to a false positive result. However, repeated testing in the clinic after two weeks will bring disappointment along with a negative answer.

Reasons for incorrect results:

  • For the first seven days, the embryo tries to gain a foothold in the uterus, but this never happened
  • after inducing ovulation, the injected hCG hormone remains in the woman’s body. It shows a false positive result

In order not to be disappointed, you should wait until the due date after IVF and undergo testing only in the clinic


When to take a pregnancy test after hCG?

After the hCG injection, ovulation occurs within 24 hours. Doctors prescribe the necessary support for the ovaries, and also give recommendations regarding the number of sexual intercourses.

Testing is carried out depending on the cycle. The optimal period is seventeen days before the start of the next menstruation. For example, if the cycle is regular and lasts 28 days, then the test can be performed after the eleventh day.

If the cycle is inconsistent, the test day is determined by the shortest cycle over the previous six months

If during an ultrasound it is revealed that the follicle has reached the desired size (twenty mm), then testing can be carried out daily.

When to take a pregnancy test after duphaston and rot?

After duphaston and rotten, testing should be carried out no earlier than 3-4 days of delay. The doctor should determine the optimal time for testing. Repeated testing after 3-4 days will eliminate doubts about the veracity of the result.

Video: How many weeks after intercourse can you take a pregnancy test?

During pregnancy, the female body begins to actively produce a special hormone, abbreviated as hCG. This is what all rapid tests are looking for.

Play hormone

During pregnancy, the female body begins to actively produce a special hormone, abbreviated as hCG. This hormone is found in minimal quantities in any body, both in women and men. However, its quantity can only be determined through special clinical blood tests in laboratories.

If a child is conceived, the level of hCG increases significantly and continues to increase as pregnancy progresses, preventing ovulation, as well as ensuring the growth and development of the baby. In this case, high levels of the hormone can be determined by examining urine. And doing it at home is as easy as shelling pears. You just need to strictly follow the rules of the test. And the main one is the amount of time that has passed since unprotected sexual intercourse.

When to take the test

As we found out, the hCG hormone acts as a reagent for the appearance of the long-awaited two stripes. However, it will take some time before the amount of the hormone in a woman’s body reaches the desired level. That is why the rush to conduct the research will be unnecessary. After all, if the level of hCG in the urine is low, you risk getting a false negative result.

The greatest chance of conceiving a child occurs during a woman’s ovulation period, as well as the day before and after it. If you had unsafe sex during this period, then it makes sense to take a pregnancy test. However, this must be done no earlier than after 14 days (when using high-sensitivity rapid tests, at least 10 days). With an average duration of a regular cycle of 28 days, after these two weeks many women notice a delay in menstruation.

This is explained by the fact that a day after the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine cavity, the hCG level is still too low for identification. And increased hormone production begins at least a week after implantation.


Advice! It is better to wait a little while diagnosing pregnancy, and not upset yourself ahead of time with an erroneous negative result.

Tests of different sensitivity: determining pregnancy before missed menstruation

The minimum level of hCG contained in the urine at the time of diagnosis should be 10 mIU/ml. However, in pharmacies we most often purchase test strips whose sensitivity is 20–25 mIU/ml. And this concentration of the hormone is achieved only 2-2.5 weeks after successful conception.

So, with a regular four-week menstrual cycle, it is best to take a pregnancy test when you are 3–5 days late. Earlier diagnosis before expected menstruation or in its absence on the first day most often shows a false negative result in 85% of cases.


If you want to do a rapid pregnancy test before your period starts, you need to purchase ultra-sensitive strips from the pharmacy. They usually detect pregnancy at 7 days with a sensitivity of 10 mIU/ml and 10 days with a sensitivity of 15 mIU/ml. Only these types are suitable for confirming pregnancy before a missed period.

Pregnancy test for irregular cycles

If you are one of the “lucky” women with an irregular menstrual cycle, then you may have a problem with the timing of pregnancy diagnostics using express strips. With such a schedule, it is extremely difficult to independently determine the day of ovulation and favorable days for conceiving a child. And if you are not under the supervision of a specialist and do not conduct special tests for ovulation, then it is impossible to understand exactly when the next menstruation should come. Just like detecting a delay in menstruation in a timely manner.

Advice! In general, you can get a more or less reliable pregnancy test result 17–18 days after unprotected intercourse.

It is advisable to carry out diagnostics when the first signs of pregnancy appear (except for delayed menstruation).


Moreover, the presence of a barely noticeable second stripe is already a reason to consult a gynecologist to confirm pregnancy and exclude possible pathologies.

Breastfeeding tests

Determining pregnancy during lactation is a very difficult task. At first, you will not have menstruation (from about 6 months to a year and a half). Some women claim that breastfeeding protects against unwanted pregnancy. In fact, this is one of the most common misconceptions. After all, the absence of menstruation does not mean the absence of ovulation itself. So pregnancy can occur after just one expected menstrual cycle. And very often women miss this moment, taking the absence of menstruation for granted.

If you want to play it safe or simply do not plan to give birth to babies of the same age, rapid diagnosis of pregnancy during lactation is recommended to be carried out monthly until the menstrual cycle normalizes. As soon as your period starts again and your schedule becomes regular, you need to take a pregnancy test after intimate intercourse as usual - after a few days of delay.


Artificial insemination and injections of the hCG hormone

With artificial insemination, the process of sperm entering the uterine cavity differs from the usual sexual intercourse. To do this, the day is precisely selected in accordance with the menstrual schedule and ovulation periods. But otherwise, the process of fertilization of the egg and attachment of the fertilized egg into the uterine cavity is carried out in exactly the same way as during natural conception.

So a pregnancy test after the procedure is carried out 17–18 days later, that is, approximately on the 3rd day of missed menstruation with an average cycle of 28 days.

In the case where stimulation was carried out using hCG injections, there is no point in checking the pregnancy immediately after completing the course of procedures. The concentration of the hormone in the blood and urine will be so high that even the weakest test will show the onset of pregnancy. To be sure that the two coveted stripes do not deceive your maternal hopes, after a course of hCG injections, the test should be done 15-17 days later.


In Vitro Fertilization and Pregnancy Test Results

For most couples who are already desperate to have a child, in vitro fertilization is very often the last hope. After the IVF procedure, you can take a pregnancy test two weeks after the fertilized egg is implanted. There is no need to run to the pharmacy one more time and worry about the lack of a positive result ahead of time. For successful implantation of the embryo in the uterine cavity, you need peace and comfort. So be patient and wait the allotted time.

And even if after 14 days the pregnancy test shows a negative result, this does not mean there is no pregnancy. Perhaps the concentration of hCG in the urine is not yet high enough. Just repeat the test a few days later or get your blood tested at the clinic where the IVF procedure was performed.


Test after termination of pregnancy, abortion

Typically, women buy a pregnancy test after an abortion to ensure the quality of the procedure performed. If for some reason you cannot be 100% sure that all membranes were removed from the uterus during an abortion, conventional test strips are unlikely to help you with this.

  • First, hCG levels will still be high for some time after the procedure. Still, your body needs to recover.
  • Secondly, the presence of possible complications and pathologies can only be detected during an examination by a gynecologist and through ultrasound.

In general, reliable results of a pregnancy test after an abortion can be obtained 2–3 weeks after the procedure. By this time, the woman’s hormonal levels are normalized, and the hCG level decreases to the desired level.


What time of day should tests be performed?

Regardless of the reasons and method of conceiving a child, it is necessary to take a pregnancy test in the morning immediately after sleep. The longer you have not gone to the toilet, the higher the concentration of hCG in the urine at the time of the test and, accordingly, the more reliable the result.

Manufacturers of modern high-sensitivity tests claim that with their use the procedure can be carried out at any time of the day. But it is better to determine early pregnancy in the morning or at least 4-5 hours after the last urination.

Important! Diuretic medications, drinks, and foods may cause frequent urination and lower hCG levels.

But if we are talking about a long delay (5 days or more), any time of day is suitable for the test. The concentration of the hormone at this stage is already high enough to determine the onset of pregnancy using a test of any sensitivity.


Finally, I would also like to note that all the above norms and deadlines are arbitrary, and you should not calculate the appropriate time for the test with an hourly accuracy. And the point is not that every woman’s body is individual. After all, there are many factors that influence fertilization. This could be a shift in the date of ovulation due to stress or physical activity, a change in the cycle, or even a longer “journey” of an already fertilized egg into the uterine cavity.

All this has a significant impact on the production of the hCG hormone. And although modern test strip manufacturers insist on the reliability of the results obtained, you should not trust them unconditionally. An earlier test gives a false negative result in almost every second case. And even if on the third day of the delay your long-awaited two stripes have not yet appeared, just wait a little longer and repeat the procedure in a few days.