When is the best time to use a pregnancy test stick for the most accurate result?

Jul 16, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My menstrual period is a few days late. I want to test for pregnancy at home myself; when is the best time to use a pregnancy test stick for the most accurate result?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhao Xiaodong
Pregnancy test sticks are used in the following situations: The best time is about 14 days after conception, when the concentration of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in the urine is higher and easier to detect. It is especially recommended to use the first morning urine for testing, as the HCG concentration is highest at this time, which can improve the test's accuracy. Please note that although pregnancy test sticks are highly accurate, they are not 100% accurate and may be affected by various factors, such as incorrect usage or testing too early or too late. Therefore, if the pregnancy test stick shows a positive or suspected positive result, it is recommended to promptly visit a hospital for further confirmation tests, such as blood testing for HCG or ultrasound examination. Combining the diagnostic results from the hospital can provide a more accurate determination of pregnancy.