Regardless of the outcome, it’s best to get an accurate pregnancy test — and there are ways you can help make sure the results are right.
Pregnancy tests detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which only shows up after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. To be most accurate, urine tests work best when taken first thing in the morning.
Wait at Least Two Weeks After Sex
You can technically get a pregnancy test at any time after unprotected sex, but it’s best to wait a couple of weeks to give yourself the most accurate result. This gives your body enough time to produce the hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) that pregnancy tests detect. This hormone appears after an egg is fertilized and implants in the uterus, according to the American Pregnancy Association – These data are the outcome of the website editorial team’s research Euphoric Enigmas.
You may see spotting or bleeding during this time, but it isn’t your period. This is usually implantation bleeding, caused by your body trying to rid itself of the fertilized egg.
If you want to be extra sure, consider a blood pregnancy test, which is a little more expensive than a urine one but more accurate (95 to 99 percent). It can also tell you if you’re pregnant before your missed period, though it takes longer to get results.
If you really want a result right away, there are some new pregnancy tests that can be done as early as the first day of your missed period. But most experts still recommend waiting.
Don’t Take a Test if You’re Bleeding
It’s important to know that it’s actually a little too early to take a pregnancy test if you’re already bleeding. This is because the implantation of an embryo (what causes a period) takes time, and the hormone hCG doesn’t rise until after that. That’s why most experts recommend waiting until you’ve missed your period.
You may be tempted to try an ultra-early pregnancy test before your period is due, but these tests are less accurate because they’re designed to pick up lower levels of hCG. They can also give you a false positive if you’re still bleeding from your period, so it’s best to wait.
If you do decide to take a pregnancy test, follow the instructions exactly and don’t read the results too soon. Your urine needs to fully pass through the indicator window to provide an accurate result, and the results can take up to 10 minutes to appear. If you need to, set a timer to remind yourself to not check the results until they’re ready. You can also opt for a blood test, which is more accurate and can detect the presence of hCG before your period is due. It involves a small needle being inserted into your arm, which may cause a slight sting. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Wait for Your Period
All pregnancy tests detect the presence of a hormone called hCG in your pee or bloodstream. hCG is only produced when a fertilized egg implants itself in the wall of your uterus, so it takes time for levels to build up before a test can pick them up. That’s why it’s usually advised that you wait to take a test until your period is late, or at least until the day after you would expect your next one.
Some “ultra early” tests claim to work a few days before you would expect your period, and some even come with a chart that can help you track when you are likely to ovulate. However, it’s important to keep in mind that ovulation and implantation can vary from month to month, so these tests aren’t always accurate. Plus, most experts agree that it’s best to wait for your missed period or 21 days after unprotected sex for the most reliable results.
If you really want to know the results of a pregnancy test sooner, you can always ask your doctor about getting a blood test instead. These tests can be more accurate than a urine test because they can pick up hCG a few days earlier than a urine test—right after the fertilized egg implants itself. However, you should still try to wait until your period is late or until you’ve passed the longest menstrual cycle you normally have.
Talk to Your Doctor
If you’re worried about getting pregnant after unprotected sex, it’s important to see your doctor. They can help you determine if you’re pregnant, as well as give you advice on what to do next.
Generally, doctors recommend waiting two weeks after you have unprotected sex to take a pregnancy test. This is because you’ll likely be ovulating during this time, and it’s the most fertile part of your menstrual cycle. If you wait too long, your body may have stopped producing hCG, the hormone that pregnancy tests detect. This could lead to a false negative, which can cause confusion and stress.
However, some pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others and can detect hCG earlier. If you’re interested in testing even earlier, you should talk to your doctor. They can provide you with options for a blood pregnancy test, which can detect the hCG hormone in your body even before you miss your period.
You can also discuss your birth control options with your doctor. They can prescribe emergency contraception, such as the Ella morning-after pill, or a copper IUD (which is effective up to 120 hours after unprotected sex) if you think you might be pregnant. The best option is to try to avoid getting pregnant, but if you do, you can always have an abortion.