How many days can it take to detect pregnancy?
A few days ago, during intercourse with my boyfriend, he ejaculated inside me by accident. I was very scared of getting pregnant and washed myself right away, but I'm still very worried. I bought a pregnancy test strip and tried it, but there was no reaction. I would like to know how many days are needed to detect pregnancy?
Doctor's answer (1)
Typically, about 6 to 10 days after implantation of the fertilized egg, the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman's body begin to rise, which is an early sign of pregnancy. Most home pregnancy test kits recommend performing the test on the first day of the missed period or a week afterward to determine pregnancy status.
If using a home pregnancy test or test strip to analyze urine, hCG levels usually become detectable approximately 7 to 10 days after missed menstruation, allowing for relatively accurate pregnancy detection. If opting for a blood hCG test at a hospital, which offers higher sensitivity, pregnancy can often be detected as early as 3 to 5 days after the missed period. Ultrasound examination typically enables visualization of the gestational sac 5 to 6 weeks after the missed period, confirming pregnancy.
In particular, two weeks after a missed period, ultrasound can more clearly visualize the presence of the embryo and detect heartbeat activity, which aids in the diagnosis and management of early pregnancy. If there is no desire for pregnancy, it is recommended to use contraceptive measures during sexual activity, such as condoms or oral contraceptives.
