How Soon After Unprotected Sex Can I Test for Pregnancy?

If you recently had sex without contraception and worry you might be pregnant, the most logical next step is to take a pregnancy test.

But testing too soon might result in a false negative as your body has not had enough time to signal to the test that it’s pregnant. In this blog, we’ll break down why, when, and how you should take a pregnancy test.

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?

Over-the-counter pregnancy tests work by detecting a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). When your body is pregnant, this hormone can be detected in urine.

As mentioned above, it can take time for this hormone to produce. For some women, it can take up to two weeks for enough hCG to reach detectable levels in urine.

When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?

In order not to get a false negative on your pregnancy test, you should wait until you have missed your period before testing. If you have irregular periods, then you can test at around 10-14 days after sex.

Testing too early isn’t the only thing that can cause a pregnancy test to give you a false negative result. Additional factors can impact the quality of the test.

Pregnancy Test False Positives

When testing, don’t drink too much water just to make yourself have to pee. Too much hydration can dilute your sample and cause the test not to detect enough hCG. For this reason, many recommend testing first thing in the morning when hCG levels are most concentrated.

Other factors that can produce a false negative or a false positive include the presence of blood in the urine, medical conditions that cause hCG to be produced even when you’re not pregnant, or certain kinds of medications.

Free Pregnancy Tests

If you’re uncertain about how to take a pregnancy test, where to get a free pregnancy test, or worry you have tested falsely in a recent pregnancy test, Hope Pregnancy Center is here to help.

We offer free lab-grade pregnancy tests and ultrasound services to help confirm your pregnancy. All our services are free and completely confidential. To get started, simply schedule a visit, or if you want to talk about your situation first, you can call or text us at 254-602-4321.