How early can you take a pregnancy test?
Almost every person who can become pregnant has been faced with a pregnancy scare at one time or another. Whether you are feeling mild anxiety or are in a bit of a panic attack, there are some simple facts that might be helpful. Each situation is different, but carafem is here to support you and we will try to help.
How early can you take a pregnancy test?
You can take a home pregnancy test as early as 10 –14 days after unprotected sex, and you get the most accurate results by taking a pregnancy test at 21 days or more. Many home pregnancy tests can determine if you are pregnant as soon as the ten day mark, but if you want to be sure, and avoid any false readings, a urine pregnancy test performed 21 days or more after having unprotected sex should provide definitive results.
The earlier you know if you’re pregnant, the more options you’ll have for receiving care, regardless of whether you want to continue your pregnancy or not! Medication abortion is generally available up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, and some states have laws banning abortion earlier than that, so it’s important to take a pregnancy test as soon as possible (10 –14 days after unprotected sex) so you have more time to consider your options and seek care.
What time of day should I take a pregnancy test?
Most over-the-counter pregnancy tests work best if you use them with the first urine you pass in the morning, which is when your urine is most concentrated. These tests are looking for the presence of hCG or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, a hormone produced during the onset of pregnancy.
Don’t forget; home pregnancy tests may not work if they are expired, or if you don’t follow the instructions. Before you take your test, remember to check the expiration date, and make sure you understand and follow the instructions. Be sure to read the test result only after waiting the time recommended in the test instructions. Never pick up a test after a few hours once it’s in the trash and read it again. Many tests will show a false positive result if left sitting long enough.
What if I get a negative pregnancy test result?
If you get a negative test result, but still believe you may be pregnant, wait a few days and take another test. You may want to avoid sexual activity that could result in a pregnancy during this time. If it has been more than 21 days since you had unprotected sex and your test is negative for pregnancy, you are not pregnant.
If you are still experiencing early pregnancy symptoms after a second negative test result and your period hasn’t returned, you may want to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. Remember, there are things other than pregnancy that can delay a period.
What if I find out I am pregnant?
If your home pregnancy test is positive, you may know right away what option is best for you. But if you don’t, that’s okay. Some people need to take more time to carefully weigh their options of abortion, adoption, or parenting a child. If you find you need to talk more about your options, there are several nonjudgmental resources but we recommend All Options, an organization dedicated to peer counseling and support. Additionally, the Pregnancy Options Workbook is a free self-guided resource to help you consider each option you have and navigate your emotions and decisions regarding your pregnancy.
If you are considering abortion, please be aware of the laws in your state, so you know of any limitations on how long you may have to choose an abortion. This varies widely across the US and from state-to-state. For more legal support options to you can reach out to Jane’s Due Process or If/When/How.
When is it too late for emergency contraception / plan b pills?
If you have had unprotected sex within the last 5 days and do not want to be pregnant, you may want to try emergency contraception (EC). You can get over-the-counter emergency contraception at most drug and grocery stores without a prescription in every US state.
Brand names like PLAN B work about the same as the many generics out there, so less expensive versions are fine. While it’s effective up to 5 days, emergency contraception works best within the first 3 days after unprotected sex, so it’s important to take the medication as soon as possible.
What if I want an abortion?
Don’t worry, we can help! First and foremost, take a deep breath and know you are not alone. Abortion is a common and normal experience — 1 in 4 people who can get pregnant will have an abortion in their reproductive lifetime. It’s a good idea to get as much information as soon as possible about your options. You can read more of our abortion articles or give us a call to get started.
Our staff will often start the call or ask online if you know the day your last period started. This is how we can date how far along you are in your pregnancy so we can provide you with abortion options specific to your needs. You can also access our website for information about choosing the abortion pill vs. an in-office abortion procedure. If you want an abortion but you live in a state where carafem doesn’t yet offer services, you can find another trusted abortion provider on the I Need An A website.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, some highly sensitive home pregnancy tests can detect the pregnancy hormone hCG as early as 8–10 days after conception, which could happen before your missed period. However, testing this early may result in a false negative. For the most accurate results, it's recommended to wait until after you've missed your period or at least 10-14 days after unprotected sex.
You can take a pregnancy test approximately 10 – 14 days after unprotected sex. This allows enough time for the fertilized egg to implant in the uterus and for hCG levels to become detectable. Testing earlier than this may not provide accurate results.
Early result pregnancy tests claim to detect pregnancy up to six days before your missed period. While they can be accurate for some, the likelihood of false negatives is higher when testing early. For more reliable results, consider waiting until at least 10-14 days after unprotected sex to take a pregnancy test.
Yes, factors like stress, significant weight changes, and certain medical conditions can delay your period or affect your menstrual cycle. However, these factors do not impact hCG levels, so they shouldn't cause a false positive or negative on a pregnancy test. If your period is late and pregnancy tests are negative, consult a healthcare provider.
Early signs of pregnancy can include fatigue, breast tenderness, nausea, increased urination, and light spotting known as implantation bleeding. These symptoms can occur before a positive pregnancy test but are not definitive indicators of pregnancy. Taking a pregnancy test is the most reliable way to confirm if you're pregnant.
One consideration — if you weigh more than 165 pounds, emergency contraception medication may be less effective for you. Unfortunately, there is not enough research to fully determine how effective emergency contraception medication is at different weights — after reviewing all available research in 2016, the FDA concluded the data was “conflicting and too limited to make a definitive conclusion.” Because of this, for people who weigh more than 165 pounds, we recommend speaking to a provider about ELLA, a prescription brand of EC that is not impacted by body size, so it’s equally effective for everyone.
Another option is going to a health center for the insertion of a Paragard IUD, which works to prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. ELLA, the Paragard IUD, and generic Plan B medications are all options to prevent pregnancy even after unprotected sex.
