How soon can a pregnancy test detect pregnancy?

Generally speaking, how soon a pregnancy can be detected using a pregnancy test strip mainly depends on a woman's menstrual cycle and ovulation status. Usually, around 35 to 40 days after pregnancy begins, a pregnancy test strip can relatively accurately detect whether a woman is pregnant. This timeframe is calculated starting from the first day of the last menstrual period. If a woman has a regular menstrual cycle and normal ovulation, it may be possible to detect pregnancy using a pregnancy test strip 3 to 5 days after a missed period. However, due to differences in individual physical conditions and ovulation timing among women, the time required for a pregnancy test strip to detect pregnancy may vary. If ovulation occurs later or the fertilized egg implants later, it may take longer to detect the pregnancy using a test strip. Therefore, it is recommended to perform multiple pregnancy tests over a period of time after the menstrual period is missed in order to improve the accuracy of testing. For a more accurate determination of pregnancy, women can visit a hospital for a blood test measuring HCG levels, which offers higher accuracy. Additionally, if pregnancy is confirmed, it is important to promptly visit a hospital for an ultrasound examination to determine the location of the gestational sac and assess the growth and development of the fetus.