How soon can a pregnancy test detect pregnancy?
Disease description:
I am 24 years old this year. I had unprotected sex with my boyfriend and, fearing pregnancy, I bought a pregnancy test strip. I would like to know how soon the test strip can detect pregnancy?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhao Xiaodong
How soon a pregnancy test can detect pregnancy mainly depends on the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the urine after the fertilized egg implants. Generally, pregnancy tests can provide a relatively accurate result about 14 days after sexual intercourse or around 35 days after the last menstrual period. This is because after the fertilized egg implants, HCG secretion typically begins about 7 days later, and it may take another 7 days for HCG levels in the urine to reach a detectable concentration sufficient for the test to produce a positive result.
The accuracy of pregnancy tests is not 100%, and can be affected by multiple factors such as urine concentration, test strip quality, and the method of usage. Therefore, if the test result is negative but pregnancy is still suspected, it is recommended to repeat the test a few days later or visit a hospital for a more accurate examination. Additionally, for more reliable early detection, consideration can also be given to a blood HCG test around 10 days after sexual intercourse, which can provide earlier and more accurate confirmation of pregnancy.
