You can take a pregnancy test at different times depending on the type of test and your cycle:
- The earliest a pregnancy test can detect pregnancy is roughly 6 to 12 days after fertilization, which is shortly after the fertilized egg implants in the uterus. However, early detection tests can show results up to 5 days before your expected period, though their accuracy is lower the earlier you test.
- Most standard urine pregnancy tests are accurate from the first day of your missed period (about 14 days after fertilization). Testing at this point gives about a 95% accuracy, which increases as pregnancy progresses.
- Blood tests done by a doctor can detect pregnancy even earlier, about 6 to 9 days after fertilization.
- If you have irregular cycles or don't know when your period is due, it's recommended to take a test 3 to 4 weeks after unprotected sex for a more reliable result.
- For the best results when testing early, use morning urine since hCG hormone concentration is highest then.
In summary, the best time to take a pregnancy test is from the day your period is late, but early detection tests are available for testing a few days before your missed period with the caveat of lower initial accuracy.
