How do pregnancy tests work?
Pregnancy tests are an easy and accurate way to find out if you’re pregnant — you just pee on a stick. They’re inexpensive and available at most drug and grocery stores.
How accurate are pregnancy tests?
Pregnancy tests are super accurate when you use them correctly. The pregnancy tests you get at the drugstore work 99 out of 100 times. They’re just as accurate as a urine pregnancy test that you’d get at a doctor’s office.
Pregnancy tests work by checking your urine (pee) for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Your body only makes this hormone if you’re pregnant. HCG is released when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of your uterus — when pregnancy begins. If your pregnancy test results are positive, it means you're pregnant. If they’re negative, it means you’re not pregnant.
Pregnancy tests are most accurate when you take them after you’ve already missed your period.
A pregnancy test will be less accurate if it’s expired or if you don’t use it the right way. So always check the expiration date on the package, and carefully read the directions that come with your pregnancy test.
How soon can I take a pregnancy test?
You can take a pregnancy test anytime after your period is late — that’s when they work the best. It’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test as soon as possible if you miss your period or think you might be pregnant.
The earlier you know you’re pregnant, the sooner you can start thinking about your options and get whatever care you need to stay healthy.
Many pregnancy tests say they work a few days before a missed period, but the results are usually less accurate then. Read the label on your pregnancy test to find out when to take a pregnancy test and how accurate it’ll be.
Sometimes a pregnancy test is able to find pregnancy hormones in your urine as early as 10 days after unprotected sex. But these results aren’t super reliable, and you may get a false positive or false negative test result.
If your periods are very irregular, or you don’t get periods at all for one reason or another, your best bet for accurate results is to take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after sex.
Where can I get a pregnancy test?
You can buy a pregnancy test at your local pharmacy, drugstore, grocery store, and some convenience or dollar stores. Pregnancy tests are usually inexpensive — they can cost as little as a dollar. Sometimes you can get a free pregnancy test at certain health centers.
You can also get a pregnancy test from your nurse or doctor, community clinic, or local Planned Parenthood Health Center. Most health centers use the same urine pregnancy tests that you can buy in stores. Sometimes they use a blood test to test for pregnancy, but that’s usually only under special circ*mstances.
But be careful when looking for a reliable health center, because there are fake clinics out there called Crisis Pregnancy Centers. Crisis Pregnancy Centers give free pregnancy tests and claim to offer information and help. But they’re run by people who may not be medical professionals, and don’t believe in giving you honest facts about pregnancy and all of your options. Crisis pregnancy centers are often located very close to Planned Parenthood health centers or other real medical centers, and have similar names — they do this to confuse people and trick them into visiting their center instead.
Your nearest Planned Parenthood health center can help you find a safe place to get a pregnancy test in your area.
What should I do if my pregnancy test is positive?
If you take a pregnancy test after you miss your period and the result is positive, that means you’re pregnant. You can always take another test to be sure, if you want.
You may want to go to a nurse or doctor, family planning clinic, or local Planned Parenthood Health Center to get a follow-up test. They’ll talk with you about your pregnancy options, and help get you the care you need. Be careful not to visit a Crisis Pregnancy Center, because they might not give you real medical care or truthful information about your pregnancy and all of your options.
More questions from patients:
FAQs
Most people take a pregnancy test at home using their pee. However, you can also take a pregnancy test at your provider's office using a blood sample or pee. For the most accurate results, wait until you miss your period to take a home pregnancy test. If you use pregnancy tests correctly, the results are 99% accurate.
Is it better to take a cheap or expensive pregnancy test? ›
The advantage of those more expensive tests is that they can detect smaller amounts of hCG, allowing them to tell you if you're pregnant around four to six days before you would expect your period. For some, knowing the results earlier might make it worth it to drop a little more cash.
Does it matter how much a pregnancy test cost? ›
A more expensive test might be more sensitive to hCG levels, which means that you may be able to get an accurate result sooner. But it's not a guarantee. No matter how much you pay, the chances of getting a false negative or false positive are higher when you take a test before the day of your expected period.
When is the best time to take a cheap pregnancy test? ›
When you can do a pregnancy test. You can carry out most pregnancy tests from the first day of a missed period. If you don't know when your next period is due, do the test at least 21 days after you last had unprotected sex. Some very sensitive pregnancy tests can be used even before you miss a period.
How long do you have to be pregnant before a test is accurate? ›
But these results aren't super reliable, and you may get a false positive or false negative test result. If your periods are very irregular, or you don't get periods at all for one reason or another, your best bet for accurate results is to take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after sex.
Are more expensive pregnancy tests more accurate? ›
Dollar pregnancy tests have the same accuracy rate as more expensive tests. That said, some more expensive home pregnancy tests are designed to be faster or easier to read. So, there are some advantages to paying a little extra if you need a quick answer or think you might struggle to read the test results.
Can 12 hours make a difference in a pregnancy test? ›
If you want to save time and money, your best bet is to wait longer than 12 hours before taking another pregnancy test. But there are a couple of scenarios in which 12 hours might make a difference: Your hCG level just happens to cross over your test's sensitivity threshold during that 12-hour time period.
Are one-step pregnancy tests reliable? ›
The pregnancy tests that we offer are fast, accurate (greater than 99%), reliable and an easy alternative when you require immediate discreet results in the […]
How common are false negative pregnancy tests? ›
“The false negative rate, if done appropriately, is less than 1%.” If someone waits until the appropriate point in their menstrual cycle and ensures that their urine is concentrated enough at the time of testing, then it's highly unlikely that an at-home pregnancy test will provide incorrect results, he explains.
Can a pregnancy test be negative one day and positive two days later? ›
It's possible to get a negative pregnancy test result followed by a positive result, especially if you tested early. This is because hCG levels rise rapidly in the first few days after implantation. It's also possible to get a positive test result followed by a negative result.
For many of these tests, HCG can be detected in your urine about 10 days after conception. However, taking it after you miss your period reduces the chance of getting a false-negative result. A missed period typically happens around 14 days after conception.
Can a UPT detect 2 weeks of pregnancy? ›
An early pregnancy test can read positive as soon as 11-15 days after conception, 1 day after a missed period. However, more accurate results can be obtained 2 days after a missed period. A home pregnancy test detects the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is produced in a pregnant woman.
What not to do before taking a pregnancy test? ›
What not to do before taking a pregnancy test
- Don't test too soon.
- Don't trust results if you're testing late.
- Don't use an expired test.
- Don't test later in the day.
- Don't chug water before you test.
- Don't worry about peeing too much on the stick.
- Don't lose track of time.
- Don't forget the impact of other medications.
A late period can be delayed for about 5 days to a maximum of 1 to 2 months. A delayed period that lasts for longer than 3 months can be a sign of amenorhea, or lack of menstruation. In these cases, of pregnancy has been rules out, the underlying cause should be investigated by a gynecologist.
How to notice pregnancy within a week? ›
Other early pregnancy symptoms include:
- nausea with or without vomiting.
- breast changes including tenderness, swelling, or tingling feeling, or noticeable blue veins.
- frequent urination.
- headache.
- raised basal body temperature.
- bloating in the belly or gas.
- tiredness or fatigue.
- irritability or mood swings.
What Are the Signs Of a Chemical Pregnancy? While it can be difficult to know whether you've experienced a chemical pregnancy, signs include: Experiencing a heavier, more intense period with more intense cramping about a week later than usual. Having a positive pregnancy test then getting your period.
Do cheap pregnancy tests still work? ›
Most at-home pregnancy tests are about 99% effective when used correctly. That's about the same accuracy rate as pregnancy tests done in your healthcare provider's office. These tests are available in most drug or grocery stores. They're easy to use and inexpensive.
Are Dollar Store pregnancy tests worth it? ›
Yes, they are. The Food and Drug Administration regulates home pregnancy tests, meaning if it's sold in the U.S, it is the real deal.
How often do cheap pregnancy tests give false positives? ›
A false-positive test result only happens less than 1% of the time, but when it does, it can make the following days or weeks confusing before you realize you're not actually pregnant.
Which pregnancy test is most accurate? ›
First Response Early Results: Both our experts agree this is one of the most sensitive home pregnancy tests available, with the ability to accurately test levels of hCG five days before your expected period.
