when to take pregnancy test

The best time to take a pregnancy test is typically from the first day of a missed period. If testing early, it is recommended to use the first urine of the day, as it contains the highest concentration of the pregnancy hormone hCG. Some early detection tests can detect pregnancy up to 6 days before the missed period, but for the most accurate result, waiting until the day of or after the missed period is advised. Testing too early may result in a false negative because hCG levels may not yet be high enough to detect. For women with irregular cycles, it is recommended to wait at least 21 days after unprotected sex before testing. Testing in the morning is ideal, but if the period is missed, testing any time of day is acceptable as hCG levels will be higher. Waiting a week after a missed period can increase the accuracy of the test result.