how soon after missed period should you test

It is best to take a pregnancy test starting from the first day of a missed period for an accurate result. Some sensitive tests can detect pregnancy a few days before the missed period, but waiting until the period is missed reduces the chance of a false negative. For even more accuracy, testing about a week after the missed period is recommended. If the menstrual cycle is irregular, testing 21 days after unprotected sex is advised. Testing first thing in the morning can also improve accuracy since hormone levels (hCG) are more concentrated at that time.