How soon can a pregnancy test stick detect pregnancy?
Disease description:
My husband and I are trying to conceive, and I would like to know how soon a pregnancy test can detect pregnancy. Can it be tested a few days after intercourse, or do I need to wait until after my period is late?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Lu
Generally, around 10-14 days after conception, the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman's body begin to rise significantly. At this time, using a pregnancy test stick can usually provide a relatively accurate determination of pregnancy.
Pregnancy test sticks determine pregnancy by detecting the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine. Under normal circumstances, starting from embryo implantation, the female body begins to produce hCG, although the initial concentration is low. Generally, about 6-10 days after fertilization, hCG levels can reach the minimum detection threshold of pregnancy test sticks, which is approximately 25 mIU/ml.
However, it should be noted that the rate of increase in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels can vary among individuals. Therefore, to ensure accuracy, it is recommended to perform the test within one week after the menstrual period is missed, or follow the instructions provided in the product manual. If the initial test result is negative but menstruation still does not occur, it is advisable to consider retesting after a few days or consult a doctor for a blood hCG test to confirm pregnancy.
