You can take a pregnancy test as early as about 6 to 8 days post-ovulation with very sensitive early detection tests, but the most reliable and accurate window is generally around 10 to 14 days after ovulation.
- Implantation of the fertilized egg typically occurs around 6 to 12 days after ovulation, after which the pregnancy hormone hCG starts to be produced and can be detected in blood and urine
- Some highly sensitive home pregnancy tests claim to detect hCG as early as 5 to 6 days before a missed period, which corresponds roughly to 8 to 10 days post-ovulation for a typical 28-day cycle
- However, testing too early can lead to false negatives because hCG levels may not yet be high enough to detect. Most women get the most accurate results when testing 12 to 16 days after ovulation, or around the time of their expected period
- Testing after 14 days post-ovulation gives a better balance of early detection and accuracy, with over 90% accuracy by 13-14 days post-ovulation
In summary, while some tests allow you to test as early as 6-8 days post- ovulation, waiting until about 10-14 days post-ovulation or the day of your missed period is recommended for the most reliable result
