Yes, it is possible to take a pregnancy test before a missed period, but the result may not be as reliable as waiting until your period is due or later.
Early Testing and Accuracy
- Some sensitive home pregnancy tests are designed to detect the pregnancy hormone hCG several days before your missed period—sometimes as early as six days prior.
- However, testing too early increases the chance of a false negative because hCG levels may not be high enough to detect.
Best Practices for Early Testing
- If you are testing before your missed period, use the most sensitive "early detection" pregnancy tests and take the test with your first urine in the morning, when hCG is most concentrated.
- If the test result is negative but you still suspect pregnancy, test again a few days later or after you miss your period.
Key Points
- Most tests are most accurate from the first day of your missed period.
- Taking a pregnancy test too early can result in a negative result even if you are pregnant, so repeating the test after a missed period is recommended if uncertain.