how soon should you take a pregnancy test

You should ideally take a pregnancy test on the first day of your missed period or later for reliable results. Testing too early can lead to false negatives because it takes time for the pregnancy hormone hCG to build up enough in your body to be detected. For the most accurate result, it's recommended to wait about a week after your missed period. Some sensitive tests can detect pregnancy a few days before the missed period, but waiting increases accuracy. If you have irregular cycles or don't know when your period is due, taking a test at least 21 days after unprotected sex is advised. Testing with the first morning urine can also improve accuracy.