A pregnancy test is best taken starting from the first day of a missed period for most accurate results. Some highly sensitive tests can detect pregnancy up to 4-6 days before your missed period, but testing too early can lead to false negatives because the pregnancy hormone hCG may not be high enough to detect yet. Key points for timing a pregnancy test:
- Wait until at least the first day of a missed period to take a standard test.
- For more accuracy, wait about a week after the missed period.
- Some early detection tests can be taken up to 4-6 days before the expected period (about 10-14 days after ovulation).
- If your cycle is irregular, test at least 21 days after unprotected sex.
- Testing with the first morning urine is recommended for early tests due to higher hCG concentration.
- If negative but pregnancy is still suspected, retest after a few days or after the missed period.
In summary, the ideal time to take a pregnancy test is on the day your period is late or missed, with earlier testing possible but less reliable unless using an early detection test.
