What pregnancy tests can be done after a delay and how many days after conception (ovulation, sexual intercourse) do you get reliable results? When can you take a pregnancy test? How many days will it take for a reliable result to show? After what time

24.11.2022 Parents

Since ancient times, doctors have used a variety of ways to determine pregnancy. The Egyptians gave women breast milk with boudouda herb, after consuming it, vomiting was observed during pregnancy. The ancient Greeks were guided by physiological signs: morning sickness, delayed menstruation, the appearance of age spots, etc. In the Middle Ages, women threw a copper key into their urine, which during pregnancy left a dark mark on the bottom of the dishes. Of course, this technique has no scientific basis, but we should not forget that modern tests are also based on urine analysis.

Timing of fertilization

After the end of menstruation, the egg matures over the next two weeks and ovulation occurs. The cell goes “free floating” for 24–48 hours, during which the chance of conception is highest. Sperm that enter a woman’s body can fertilize an egg within four days. After cell fusion, embryo implantation occurs.

From the moment of conception, the body’s endocrine system, realizing that some changes have occurred, begins to actively produce the pregnancy hormone hCG. It gradually increases from 0-5 mIU/ml, doubling every 48 hours. It is easy to calculate that the hCG level increases from the sixth day after ovulation (DPO) and reaches an easily recognizable level of 25 mIU/ml on the 9th day. But this case is ideal and is observed only in healthy women. Early and late implantation are often observed, the probability of which is as follows:

For some girls, embryo implantation occurs on time, but they perceive it as late due to incorrect calculations. This occurs when the cycle is disrupted, or due to stress and hormonal imbalance, the egg matures slowly.

Test manufacturers advise determining pregnancy no earlier than the 15th day after ovulation.

Types of tests

HCG levels are determined in the blood. But since this method of determining pregnancy requires going to the clinic to get tested, and then waiting at least a day for the result, rapid tests have become very popular. They are quite accurate and help determine an interesting position in five minutes.

Strip tests (strips)

  • low cost, allowing frequent testing
  • the paper base on which the reagent is applied does not correctly convey the concentration of hCG;
  • unreliability, because the strip is easy to overexpose;
  • depends on the base, some strips should be held for 5 s, and others for 20 s;
  • low sensitivity, due to which the test can be done only after a delay;
  • urine should only be taken in the morning;
  • possible false results

The test is immersed in a container with urine. The appearance of two stripes indicates pregnancy. Credibility:

  • I day of delay - 90%;
  • VII day of delay - 95%

Tablet (cassette)

  • A few drops of urine are enough;
  • high sensitivity (10–25 mIU/ml) makes it possible to “catch” pregnancy in early DPO;
  • not much more expensive than a strip test, but more reliable
  • the test is reliable only when collecting morning urine;
  • dim stripes (“ghosts”) are observed, which can be interpreted in different ways

You need to drop a few drops of urine onto the test (window in a plastic case). Two stripes mean pregnancy

Jet (midstream)

  • There is no need to collect urine, because the test is placed under a running stream;
  • the result appears after 60 s;
  • a test sensitivity of 10 mIU/ml will indicate pregnancy in early DPO;
  • midstream is highly sensitive, so any urine can be used
  • these tests are 30-50% more expensive than cassettes and strips;
  • Ghost stripes are very rare, but not impossible

Reservoir

  • the test cannot be overdone, because the strip on the side of the glass itself absorbs the required amount of urine;
  • you can take any urine
  • rarely on sale;
  • high price

The reservoir with the test built into the side needs to be filled with urine. The result is read in a few minutes

Electronic (digital)

  • the result is interpreted not by stripes, but by the signs “yes” or “no”, “+” or “-”, etc.;
  • The test is reusable, i.e. has removable cartridges;
  • may even show the duration (week) of pregnancy;
  • you can do the test before the delay
  • the cheapest test costs twice as much as a strip, and the most expensive (determining period) costs 10 times

Credibility:

days until delay:

There are strip tests and high-sensitivity cassettes on sale that can be used until the delay, but they are more expensive than usual.

If we talk about manufacturers, it is impossible to determine whose test is the most sensitive and reliable. Reviews are very contradictory. There have been cases when cheap tests showed the correct result, but expensive ones showed a false result. But according to statistics, the most reliable tests are those made in Germany and England, in particular, “ClearBlue” and “Evitest”.

Before the delay, a highly sensitive test (10–15 mIU/ml) should be used, and during a delay, a low-sensitivity test (20–30 mIU/ml) should be used.

Terms of use

Since each test has its own basis and amount of reagent, you must read the instructions before using it. Even if it states that you can take urine during the day or in the evening, the most reliable result will still be obtained by collecting it in the morning, because urine accumulated overnight has the highest level of hCG. The night before, it is not recommended to drink a lot of water, drink coffee and other drinks with a diuretic effect, and you should also stop taking any medications.

Sometimes the test shows a positive result only on the 21st day after ovulation, whereas at the beginning of the delay it barely showed a weak line, or it was completely absent. Therefore, to obtain reliable information, you need to repeat the test after three days, and then on the 5th day.

Reasons for false results

The accuracy of a test done after a delay is 99%, and when determining pregnancy earlier, you need to prepare for possible false results for the following reasons:

False positive (two lines are visible, but there is no real pregnancy)

False negative (the woman is pregnant, but the test shows one line)

  • taking medications to stimulate ovulation;
  • tumors that promote the production of hCG;
  • trophoblastic diseases;
  • spontaneous miscarriage
  • stale urine was collected;
  • early detection of pregnancy, when hCG has not had time to rise;
  • use of poor quality test;
  • the day before, the woman drank a lot of water (liquid dilutes the concentration of hCG in the urine);
  • the woman was taking diuretics;
  • pathologies (ectopic pregnancy, placental insufficiency, etc.);
  • diseases that slow down the production of hCG (renal failure, ovarian dysfunction)

Impaired hCG production, which is the main cause of false results, can be caused by the following reasons:

  • instability of the menstrual cycle;
  • stress, lack of sleep and bad habits;
  • unhealthy lifestyle (low physical activity, unbalanced diet, disrupted work-rest regime);
  • individual characteristics of the anamnesis.

A double stripe in the absence of pregnancy indicates possible hormonal disorders.

When several tests show a positive result, you should definitely visit a doctor. He will prescribe an additional examination, in particular an ultrasound and a blood test to rule out an ectopic pregnancy. In the early stages, it is much easier to eliminate such a pathology, because by the eighth week it will end in a miscarriage, but with serious pain, blood loss and dangerous consequences for women’s health.

"Unknown" pregnancy

There have been cases when, taking a test before the delay, a woman observed two stripes, but her period soon came. It turns out that these are not false results, but indicators of “natural selection.” This means that the sperm reached the egg, conception occurred, but the zygote turned out to be weak and died. That is, pregnancy began, but ended in spontaneous miscarriage and the release of a fertilized egg along with menstruation.

This phenomenon is called biochemical pregnancy, which is almost asymptomatically terminated on its own in the “infancy” state. As a result, the woman gets her period as usual. This happens when a woman does not plan a pregnancy and, after making love, leads her normal life with stress at work, neglect of her health, strict diets, etc.

The frequent occurrence of biochemical pregnancy is dangerous because it can cause infertility. To avoid this, doctors advise using protection at least for the period of ovulation. And women at risk who have any pathologies of the genitourinary system should undergo regular examinations.

Of course, the process of pregnancy is exciting for every woman. But the first weeks of waiting and the constant question: am I pregnant or not bring a lot of stress.

In each cycle, a woman has only 6 days to become pregnant: 5 days before ovulation and 2 days after it. So how do you find out at what stage you can already determine your pregnancy? What determination methods are available and are effective? I often get asked such questions in the comments on the site, so I’ll tell you in detail.

Even if you are sure that you have determined the date of ovulation in a given cycle and have done everything to fertilize the egg, this does not mean that a couple of days after the expected conception you need to go to the pharmacy for a test and the next day to the gynecologist with complaints of infertility. Pregnancy can be detected after the release of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is triggered, and this trigger does not occur before the egg attaches to the wall of the uterus.

How many days after PA can you take a pregnancy test?

There are 2 types of tests that will help determine whether it is worth starting preparations for the arrival of a new family member.

Blood test

This method will help to quickly determine the presence of pregnancy.

Positive point: You can donate blood already 7-12 days after the expected conception.

Negative point: testing takes about 24 hours (time to obtain results varies depending on the laboratory).

Usually, qualitative and quantitative hCG is determined: the first will show the presence of this hormone in general, and the second indicator will indicate the exact figure for determining the period.

In general, if you are pregnant, a blood test will show a positive result 3-4 days after immediate implantation or 9-10 days after fertilization and ovulation.

Urinalysis

This test is easy to use and shows results within 5 minutes. This is definitely a huge plus.

The disadvantage of such tests is that they will not always show you a reliable result. Manufacturers claim that the test can be performed 24-48 hours before the delay. But in fact, no more than 25% of pregnant women who took the test 2 days before the start of their expected menstruation received 2 stripes on it. Under the same conditions, 1 day before the delay, 40% of expectant mothers already confirmed their position using such a test. But this number is still quite low. It turns out that the women received unreliable information and could rely on its results.

On average, most women receive a second line on the test approximately 2 weeks (days 13-14) after ovulation. Those. just on the day of the delay.

IMPORTANT! Despite the research, there are cases that the test shows a positive result only 3 weeks after ovulation. We indicate this data for the reason that often the result on the day of the delay is negative and the woman is 100% sure of this, but she must definitely double-check or donate blood for hCG.

Do tests always show the correct result?

Manufacturers indicate on the packaging of a home pregnancy test that the effectiveness is 99%. But this is far from true. All studies that confirm this figure were conducted 3 weeks after ovulation, i.e. 7 days after the delay. But in the early stages, the test often shows one line, which confuses the expectant mother.

You can find out the reasons why the most common test may turn out to be false positive.

Here are the reasons for a false negative test:

  • took the test too early;
  • the test has expired;
  • you do not follow the instructions for use;
  • You are not using morning urine.

What factors influence test results?

Implantation period. Although the test result depends on the presence of pregnancy hormone (hCG), long periods of implantation can lead to negative results, since the movement of the fertilized egg to the uterine wall takes about 7 days. So if you test too early, be prepared to get a negative result.

HCG level in urine. The number may decrease if you drink too much fluid. In concentrated urine, the level of hCG is higher and the test result is accurate.

Home pregnancy test sensitivity. Read the test instructions and compare the sensitivity of several products of this type: the higher it is, the sooner and with greater accuracy you will know the answer to your question.

Other methods for determining pregnancy

Basal temperature


Cons
: it is necessary to measure BT for 3-4 cycles, to have a more or less stable menstrual cycle.

Pros: if you measure BT for several days after the delay, it will invariably be higher than normal - this will most likely indicate the presence of pregnancy, but you must take into account the “cons” of this method.

Ultrasound


Cons
: in the first weeks of pregnancy there is no point in using this study; an ultrasound specialist is unlikely to see the fertilized egg, which is still very small; In addition, I insist that the embryo cannot be disturbed at the stage of formation, and this is done only according to the strict instructions of the attending physician.

Pros: you can be sure that you do not have an ectopic pregnancy, and the presence of a second line on the test is not a consequence of hormonal disorders.

Of course, any girl who dreams of experiencing the joy of motherhood after intimate intimacy with her loved one is interested in how a pregnancy test will work, and from what period does it show a positive result?

Before answering these questions, you should understand the mechanisms of action of these pregnancy testers.

What is hCG?

Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone that is secreted in the female body by the placenta or child's place. The functional production of human chorionic gonadotropin begins from the moment of conception and reaches its maximum activity by 6-12 weeks of pregnancy, after this period there is a sharp slowdown in the functioning of the hormone. It is possible to determine how many days later a pregnancy test will show a positive result only after the active work of human chorionic gonadotropin begins. It is the active release of the hormone into the urine that allows a sensitive indicator or test to record the desired conception.

How long after conception will a test show pregnancy?

A reliable 100% result in a normal pregnancy can be obtained already on the 7th day after the delay of the menstrual cycle. There are early pregnancy tests that show results already on the first day of a missed period. Such results can be obtained using so-called jet express tests, in which it is enough to direct a stream of urine to a litmus indicator at any time of the day and get an answer to your question about pregnancy. So, at what date does a pregnancy test show a positive result? When purchasing an indicator, you should pay attention to the attached instructions for use, which indicate that a positive result can be obtained provided that human chorionic gonadotropin in the blood increases to 10 mIU/ml. This indicator is achieved after conception on days 5-7.

But how long will it take for the test to show pregnancy in case of multiple conception? The level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) under such conditions doubles and shows the onset of conception even before a missed period. For a more reliable result after taking a pregnancy test, it is recommended to test the blood to determine the hCG level.

Types of pregnancy tests

An express pregnancy test, the period of conception of which can be determined at home, today has several varieties. Many women are concerned about planning a pregnancy or, conversely, a reluctance to give birth to a new life for certain reasons. Today, pharmacy chains offer various testing options that differ from each other not only in price, but also in functionality. So, let's look at the most popular options:

The operation of this indicator is described above. The main advantage of this type of tester is the instant reaction to hCG, that is, its high sensitivity. The result can be seen within a minute after testing.

This is one of the most popular indicators for determining pregnancy due to its low price and information content. A paper or fabric strip is impregnated with a reagent, which, when interacting with urine, after 5-10 seconds of reaction, gives a result in 3-5 minutes of testing. The second line on the tester indicates the possible beginning of pregnancy. However, such a strip test has one significant drawback. You just have to underexpose or overexposepregnancy test after how longno matter the seconds, the result becomes unreliable. Therefore, there is no need to talk about the correct use of this test. It should be noted that the sensitivity of the hCG reagent is achieved after 25 mIU/ml.


This device for “diagnosing” pregnancy in women gives a better picture. This test is used in hospital settings, but with certain dexterity and skill it can be used at home. The operating principle of the tablet test is based on the chemical reaction of the hCG hormone and its sensitive layer. It is enough to drop a drop of urine onto a special window, and after a moment the result appears in the second window.How soon can you take a pregnancy test?using a tablet device? Considering that the sensitivity of the tablet to the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin is 10-25 mIU/ml, pregnancy can be “caught” already 5-7 days after conception.

This is the most expensive possible pregnancy detection test device among all available to the common man. The electronic display on the test allows you to digitally determine the onset or absence of conception. Unlike previous versions of determining the state of the female body, this tester gives no reason for doubt.How soon to take a pregnancy testand get the coveted “+” or “-” on a digital device, and what is the error of the electronic indicator? Depending on the state of the female body, the instrument digital scale indicates pregnancy or no pregnancy, that is, “+” or “-”. The accuracy of the determination is:

  • 51% - four days before the expected delay;
  • 80-52% - for three days of delay;
  • 85-90% - within two days of the expected delay;
  • 92-95% - the day before the delay.

As we can see, each test to determine pregnancy has its own errors and inaccuracies. Therefore, if a woman doubts the reliability of the results obtained, then the most correct way to determine pregnancy is to contact an antenatal clinic at her place of residence.

When does a pregnancy test lie?

However, when using various pregnancy testing indicators, false negative and false positive results can be obtained. What are the reasons for the incorrect response of test indicators:

  • In the event of an ectopic pregnancy, no tests give the correct answer to the exciting question of conception.
  • It is possible that the use of the test was unjustified, that is, the indicator was used too early.
  • The reliability of pregnancy planning results may be affected by the inadequacy of the test. This is especially true for inkjet and strip indicators.
  • Incorrect use of the tester, which may be caused by inattentive reading of the instructions for use.
  • Large liquid concentration in urine. The reason for this may be drinking a large amount of liquid on the eve of testing, leading to a decrease in the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

In addition to the above conditions for incorrect test results, there are also false positive indicators indicating the onset of pregnancy. These conditions include:

  • The presence of remnants of the fertilized egg in the uterine cavity both after a spontaneous miscarriage and after a medical surgical intervention - abortion.
  • Taking hormonal infertility-correcting pharmacological drugs, which may contain a stimulant that increases the level of human chorionic gonadotropin.
  • Both emerging malignant tumors and nodular neoplasms can produce hCG.

Therefore, for any test results that raise doubts about the reliability of conception, you should undergo a better examination in specialized medical institutions.

What are the first signs after conception?

After all pregnancy tests have been passed, and the woman has no doubt that she is giving birth to a new life, her condition should be confirmed through a medical gynecological examination. A woman can visually determine changes in her body by external signs:

  1. Enlargement of the mammary glands and their painful state on palpation.
  2. Nipple areolas change color during pregnancy. They become darker.
  3. Lack of menstruation. This is one of the most likely signs of a new life emerging in a woman’s body.
  4. Presence of high basal temperature. Usually, during pregnancy, the basal temperature is three days higher than the optimal values ​​characteristic of the second phase of the cycle.

Reliable signs of a desired pregnancy, according to the results of an ultrasound scan, are:

  1. Enlargement of the uterus and the presence of a fertilized egg, which is determined 14–21 days after conception, in the form of a darkened spot in the uterus with a diameter of up to 10 mm.
  2. The heartbeat of the embryo is detected already from the sixth week after conception.
  3. During an ultrasound, the doctor observes the movements of the future person on the monitor screen.

Pregnancy should not be confused with indirect signs that are not related to conception. First of all, this:

  • dizziness, headaches and fatigue;
  • irritability and mood swings;
  • weight gain and/or lack of appetite;
  • nausea and vomiting in the morning;
  • increased urination and/or bloating.

These symptoms of a “false” pregnancy sometimes cause panic in women, which are associated with an unplanned conception. These symptomatic signs should not be regarded as a possible pregnancy. It is likely that some of them indicate other clinical manifestations and require careful medical examination.

Take care of yourself and be healthy!

Today, rapid pregnancy tests can be bought at every pharmacy, and even at the supermarket checkout. They are easy to use and reliable: doctors rate their accuracy at 99% Pregnancy Tests. But often such tests lie.

How do pregnancy tests work?

Absolutely all pregnancy tests check whether there is a special hormone in the urine or blood (if we are talking about a laboratory test) Pregnancy Tests- human chorionic gonadotropin, abbreviated as hCG. It begins to be produced immediately after the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus.

If there is no pregnancy, hCG has nowhere to come from. If it is there, hCG will definitely be there.

Typically, the egg attaches to the uterus six days after fertilization. There is no point in doing a test during this period: it will not show anything. But then the hCG level increases quickly, doubling every 2-3 days.

When to take a pregnancy test

Already 8 days after the egg meets its sperm, the hCG level becomes sufficient for pregnancy to be confirmed using a laboratory blood test.

After a few more days - that is, on the 10th–12th day after fertilization - the pregnancy will be detected by ordinary pharmacy tests.

Although the instructions for many of them promise an accurate result already on the first day of the delay, doctors advise not to rush Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?. The reason is simple.

If you ovulate on the 10th–14th day of your cycle, then by the beginning of the next cycle at least 13 days will have passed since fertilization. This means that the test will signal you with two stripes.

However, ovulation may shift. If the egg was released on the 22nd day of the cycle, then at the beginning the actual pregnancy period may be less than 7 days. This means that even perfect tests will likely not capture anything.

If your cycle is more or less than 28 days, things are even more confusing.

Therefore, in order to get the most accurate result, you should wait 5–7 days from the start of the delay.

If you are pregnant, the hCG level by this time will in any case be such that even the cheapest tests with low sensitivity will clearly recognize it

But even if you met all the deadlines, the test can still mislead you. For example, it will not see a high level of hCG and will show a negative result if there is an existing pregnancy, or, on the contrary, it will give two stripes, although it does not smell like pregnancy. To be fair, let's say that the test is not so much to blame as you are yourself Five reasons for false-positive pregnancy tests.

Why do rapid pregnancy tests lie?

1. You used an expired or damaged test

Rapid tests contain special highly sensitive substances that react to hCG levels. It is they who, when in contact with the urine of a pregnant woman, are painted with a bright second stripe or plus sign.

But if the test is expired or improperly stored, the sensitivity of these substances may decrease. As a result, they will give a negative result, which may turn out to be false.

What to do

Buy tests only in pharmacies, where, unlike supermarkets, they try to provide the correct storage conditions. When purchasing, be sure to check the expiration date.

2. You bought a test with low sensitivity

The sensitivity of rapid tests is indicated by numbers - 10, 20, 25, 30. These numbers indicate the concentration of hCG in urine (in mIU/ml) that they are able to detect. The higher the number, the less accurate the test. The most expensive and accurate options have a sensitivity of 10. But cheap ones may not detect hCG and deceive you by showing a negative result.

What to do

When purchasing a test, be sure to check with your pharmacist how sensitive it is. Also, this information can often be found on the packaging and always in the instructions.

3. You took the test in the afternoon

It’s not for nothing that in the instructions for the vast majority of tests, the manufacturer talks about morning urine. It is more concentrated, there is more chorionic gonadotropin in it, which means the test will be more reliable.

In the afternoon, the content of hCG in the urine is lower.

What to do

Use the test exclusively in the morning, as the manufacturer instructs.

4. You drank a lot of water before taking the test.

Water dilutes the urine, which lowers hCG levels. The rapid test may not detect the hormone and give a false negative result.

What to do

Try not to eat or drink anything before the test.

5. You didn't look at the results in time.

The instructions for each test stipulate the rules for its use. For example, like this: “The result can be assessed 4–5 minutes after the test, but no later than 15 minutes.” These minutes were not taken out of thin air.

The lower limit indicates the time it takes for the test to allow the sensitive substances it contains to react to the hCG level. If you look at a test earlier than the agreed upon date, the second line (or the plus sign in the corresponding window) may not yet appear and you will see a false negative result.

If you look at the strip after the time indicated as the upper limit, you risk getting a false positive result. Evaporated urine may leave a line that can easily be confused with the second line.

What to do

Before using the test, read the instructions and follow them strictly.

6. You take certain medications

Some diuretics and antihistamines affect the composition of urine, diluting it. This reduces the level of hCG, which means there is a risk of getting a false negative result.

Other drugs, on the contrary, can give you two stripes, although in fact they do not. Such medications include:

  • some tranquilizers and sleeping pills;
  • anticonvulsants;
  • drugs that enhance fertility.

What to do

If you are taking any medications on this list, you should not rely on the paper rapid test. To determine whether you are pregnant or not, do a laboratory blood test.

7. You are sick

If there is increased blood or protein in the urine, this may also affect the result of the rapid test. But it is important to note that this situation in itself is extremely unhealthy. Blood in the urine indicates a problem with the bladder or kidneys, increased protein indicates internal inflammation.

Therefore, most likely, the erroneous two stripes on the test will be accompanied by increased temperature and/or discomfort in the genital area and kidneys.

What to do

Do not rely on a rapid test if you have a fever or pain in your lower back or lower abdomen. In case of such ailments, you should contact a therapist, gynecologist or urologist as soon as possible so as not to miss a serious illness.

8. You develop an ovarian tumor

Some types of tumors can trick the test into showing two lines.

What to do

Once you receive a positive result, do not delay your visit to the gynecologist. The doctor will conduct research, during which he will determine the real duration of pregnancy (if any) or send you for additional tests and to specialized specialists.

How to take a pregnancy test correctly

  1. Read the instructions. And follow it, of course!
  2. Remember the rule: if you are healthy and the test shows a positive result, the probability of pregnancy is 99%. A negative result may be false up to a week after the delay.
  3. Choose tests with a high level of sensitivity. 10 is ideal.
  4. Do the test in the morning, not in the afternoon, and especially not in the evening.
  5. Try not to drink at least an hour before the test.
  6. Do not rely on the test if you are taking the medications listed above or if you have fever or lower abdominal pain.
  7. Buy two tests at once so you can double-check the results.
  8. If rapid tests contradict each other, don't wonder what's wrong. Get a laboratory blood test to get a reliable result.

Important! A positive test, even if you have been waiting for it for a long time, is, alas, not yet a reason to rejoice. An increased level of hCG in the urine can also be recorded during an ectopic or frozen pregnancy. Therefore, after receiving two strips, go to the gynecologist as soon as possible.

Will the test show pregnancy correct result? How can I tell if I'm pregnant? These questions are often asked by women, regardless of whether they are expecting a child or, on the contrary, they are afraid of responsibility and want to avoid it. There are a huge number of tests on the market today; every woman can choose the most convenient option for herself.

Of course, we should not forget that quality of pregnancy tests may vary greatly. How many days after sex can you take a pregnancy test? Is it possible to get the correct answer at home? You will learn about this in this article.

It all depends test, which you purchase, because one is more sensitive and shows the answer quickly enough, the other later. If you want to get information about the likelihood of conceiving a child, then take care of a high-quality test, study the instructions and be mentally prepared for any answer.

Only a week has passed since sexual intercourse, and you already want to learn the answer as soon as possible, but in fact it’s still too early. The strips will not show anything yet, and only an ultrasound can record the process of fetal development. The test in the form of strips reacts to changes in hormones in a woman’s body, but do not forget that conception does not occur immediately after intimacy with a partner.

Wait you will have at least 2 weeks, because the lifespan of an egg is 1-2 days. If during this period of time a sperm is encountered on its way, then only after 5-7 days it attaches to the wall of the uterus and the process of conception occurs. This explains the point that in a few days nothing will be clear, so do not rush to run to the pharmacy for a test.

What kind of pregnancy tests are there?

1. Strip. The most budget option, which is also the lowest in quality. Most often, girls and women buy it, because it is sold in any pharmacy and costs a penny. In order to do the test, you need to collect a little urine in the reservoir and lower the strip into it. By following the instructions, you can get the answer. It is better to take two strips at once so that this answer is more accurate.

2. Jet. A more expensive analogue, which is distinguished by its convenience. In order to determine if you are pregnant, you can do a test directly during urination, without a reservoir. In just a few minutes you will be able to get a fairly accurate answer.

3. Tablet. Not the most convenient option for home use, so it is often used for medical purposes. To get the result, it is important to draw a little urine into the reservoir, take a few drops from there with a pipette and apply it to a specific well on the tablet.

4. Digital. The newest version of pregnancy tests, which is distinguished by the accuracy of the data. A completely new generation of tests, a universal option both among doctors and among women who want to get an answer at home.

How much time is needed for result- it depends on the instructions and the type of test you have chosen for yourself. The test strip will not detect it so quickly, even if it has already occurred. Only on the 14th day after unprotected sex should you try to find out the likelihood. Of course, a delay in menstruation must necessarily be the reason for the detection of pregnancy; in the first few days of the delay, it is quite possible to obtain correct information.

Even if you get negative answer, be sure to go to an appointment with a gynecologist to check the condition of your body, because sometimes a delay can be a symptom of a serious illness.

Lead menstrual cycle calendar. This will allow you to determine the beginning and end of the cycle, calculate your periods and plan your schedule, but you will also be able to roughly understand whether fertilization could have occurred on days of low probability. If you go to an appointment with a gynecologist, be sure to take a calendar with you so that he can see the full picture and draw some conclusions in accordance with your schedule.


How to take a pregnancy test?

Don't forget that when misuse even the best test may not show the correct result, because not all women know the basic rules.

Use to test for pregnancy only morning urine. This is due to the fact that we do not drink water at night, so the urine becomes concentrated overnight. Sometimes on the packaging of a new advertised product you can see an inscription that this test can be done at any time of the day. But you shouldn’t believe it, it’s better to play it safe and do it in the morning, because this way the probability of getting the correct answer is much higher.

- Read the instructions carefully. Many girls and women, once using a pregnancy test, forget about the need to read the instructions every time. And in vain, because each product is unique in its own way: for one you need to wait 1-2 minutes, and for the second up to 10. There must be at least one stripe. Expressed, clear. If you don’t see anything, it means you did the test incorrectly or you received a defective product.
Unfortunately, not all pregnancy tests give the correct answer, so sometimes it is necessary to do it again.

- Take your time. Some girls and women run out to buy a test 1-2 days after sex, but in the end they don’t get the right answer. If we talk about general data, then gynecologists recommend for the greatest clarity of data to do a test on the 5th day of a missed period. If you need to focus on the days after sex, then this is no earlier than 2 or even 3 weeks.

Is it possible to do the test during menstruation? Most women want to get an answer as quickly as possible, and even the presence of spotting does not become an obstacle. In fact, menstruation does not in any way distort the accuracy of the result if you can collect urine for the test without a drop of blood.

Reasons for delay not related to unprotected sex:
- Ovarian cyst
- Stress and climate change
- Hormonal disorders
- Colds, viruses, various infections
- Excessive physical activity
- Polycystic ovary syndrome.

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