How soon after sex can i test for pregnancy

But for the most accurate results, you want to wait at least 12 days after intercourse, or three weeks if you have an irregular period. Pregnancy tests work by detecting the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin hCG , which the body only begins producing after implantation when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of uterus. But keep in mind, that still is on the early side. Even though some early pregnancy tests claim to be able to detect hCG over a week before menstruation is supposed to begin, you should proceed with caution when testing before your period is due. Waiting an additional week after a missed period to test will substantially reduce the chance of a false negative.

Clue is on a mission to help you understand your body, periods, ovulation, and so much more. Start tracking today. Pregnancy tests can give a false negative result if done too soon after a missed period. A failure to follow home test instructions can cause incorrect results.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. After all, it takes just one sperm to fertilize the egg.

Every month, as a part of a normal menstrual cycle, a woman ovulates ovary releases a mature egg. After intercourse, sperm travel through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes towards the egg. If a sperm successfully enters and fertilizes a mature egg, conception occurs. At this instant, characteristics such as gender, skin, and hair colour are determined from the parent's genes.