How soon can a pregnancy test detect pregnancy?
Disease description:
Recently, I've been feeling like I might be pregnant, but I'm not sure. I wanted to ask, how soon can a pregnancy test detect pregnancy? My period is already a few days late, and I'm quite eager to know the result.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Lu
In general, if conception is successful, the earliest time to detect pregnancy using a home pregnancy test is about 10 days after sexual intercourse, although the result may not be very accurate at this stage. In most cases, it is recommended to perform the test 7-10 days after a missed period for higher accuracy.
Pregnancy test strips are commonly used tools for women to determine whether they are pregnant, and the testing time can be influenced by various factors. After conception, the female body begins to secrete human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which gradually accumulates in the urine.
About one week after a missed period, the concentration of hCG in the urine typically reaches a level detectable by pregnancy test strips. When performing the test, it is preferable to use first-morning urine, as it contains a relatively higher concentration of hCG, thereby increasing the accuracy of the test.
During the procedure, it is important to strictly follow the instructions provided with the test strip. Dip the testing end of the strip into the urine for a few seconds, then remove and lay it flat. Observe the result within the specified time. If two red lines appear on the strip, it usually indicates pregnancy; if only one red line appears, it indicates no pregnancy.
However, home pregnancy tests are not 100% accurate. If there is any doubt about the test result, it is advisable to visit a hospital for a blood hCG test or an ultrasound examination to confirm the diagnosis.
