You can find out if you are pregnant using a home pregnancy test as early as 6 to 8 days after ovulation, but the most reliable time to test is from the first day of your missed period. Some very sensitive tests can detect the pregnancy hormone hCG up to 6 days before your missed period, although testing too early can result in a false negative because hCG levels may not be high enough yet. For the most accurate result (over 99%), it is best to test on the day your period is due or later, preferably with the first urine of the day if testing early.
How pregnancy tests work
Home pregnancy tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which starts to be produced after a fertilized egg implants in the uterine wall, typically around 7 to 9 days after ovulation. Advanced tests like Clearblue Early Detection can identify hCG as early as 6 days before a missed period, although at this stage not all pregnancies will be detected due to varying hormone levels.
Signs to take a pregnancy test
The most reliable sign to take a test is a missed period, which typically occurs around 14 days after ovulation if fertilization happens. Early pregnancy symptoms such as mild cramps and spotting may also precede a missed period but are less definitive. If the period is irregular or unknown, testing about 21 days after unprotected sex is recommended.
Accuracy and timing tips
- Testing before the missed period can be done but the chance of a false negative is higher.
- If testing early, use the first morning urine to increase hormone concentration.
- If negative but pregnancy is still suspected, retest after a few days or on the day the period was expected.
In summary, while some tests permit you to test 6 days before a missed period, the most reliable confirmation comes from testing on or after the day your period is due, roughly 14 days after ovulation. Blood tests can detect pregnancy slightly earlier, about 6 to 8 days post-ovulation, but home urine tests remain the common practical approach.
