You can get a positive result from a home pregnancy test as early as about 6 to 10 days after conception, but accuracy improves if you wait until after a missed period.
- Some highly sensitive tests can detect the pregnancy hormone hCG as early as 6 days before your missed period, which corresponds to roughly 6-10 days after ovulation and fertilization
- Typically, implantation of the fertilized egg occurs around 7-10 days after ovulation, after which hCG starts to appear in urine and blood. This hormone needs time to build up to detectable levels
- Testing too early may yield a false negative because hCG levels are not yet high enough, so waiting until the first day of a missed period or later is recommended for reliable results
- For irregular cycles, waiting about 2-3 weeks after unprotected sex before testing can improve accuracy
- Using the first morning urine, which is more concentrated, can help detect lower levels of hCG and improve test sensitivity
In summary, while some tests can detect pregnancy about a week after conception, the most accurate time to take a pregnancy test is from the day of your missed period onward. Early positive results are reliable, but early negative results may require retesting after a few days. References:
- Early detection possible 6 days before missed period with sensitive tests
- Implantation and hCG production start ~7-10 days after ovulation
- Best accuracy after missed period; wait 2-3 weeks if irregular cycles
