Early pregnancy tests are designed to tell whether you're pregnant five days before you miss your period. These sensitive tests aim to detect a hormone produced during pregnancy earlier than standard ones. But do they really work? Learn about these tests and how they compare to regular pregnancy tests. Show
First, a pregnancy test primer: Whether it's a blood test or a urine test done at a healthcare provider's office or in your bathroom, a pregnancy test is positive when it detects the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)—a hormone produced by placental cells during pregnancy—in your system, according to John Hopkins Medicine. The production of even a tiny amount of hCG means the fertilized egg has been implanted in the uterine lining. The variance between at-home pregnancy tests is the amount of hCG they can detect, with early pregnancy tests detecting lower hormone levels. "The commercial pregnancy tests range from 20 to 50 mIU/mL. Since hCG levels double every two to three days, some tests may detect hCG two to three days earlier—so there may be some benefit to using a more sensitive test," said Seth Guller, PhD, the director of the Gyn/Endocrine Laboratory at the Yale School of Medicine. Guller added a surprising caveat: Any benefits of early pregnancy detection should be balanced by the fact that most pregnancies ending in miscarriage—or sudden pregnancy loss before 20 weeks—occur during the first seven weeks of pregnancy, according to MedlinePlus. Knowing if you're pregnant early allows you to promptly make educated health and lifestyle changes that can increase the chance of delivering a healthy baby. This could include smoking cessation, getting vaccinations, and ensuring a healthy weight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Charles Lockwood, MD, the chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale-New Haven Hospital, adds that "the risk of exposure to agents causing birth defects doesn't start until two weeks after conception." There is no denying that trying to conceive is suspenseful. This is why a person might want to know about pregnancy as soon as possible—despite the emotional risk of learning about brief chemical pregnancies, which are miscarriages that occur within the first five weeks. There are biological factors that may affect the results of these tests. These super-sensitive tests claim to identify a pregnancy a whole week before a missed period, but embryos can fully implant (and start producing hCG) at different times. So, even if you're using the most sensitive test, your embryo may not immediately produce a positive pregnancy test. It may take several days. "Embryo implantation is a process that unfolds over a number of days rather than a single event," said Hugh S. Taylor, MD, the chief of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the Yale School of Medicine. According to UCSF Health, it can take up to six days after fertilization for the embryo to become a blastocyst (mass of well-organized cells) and begin the implantation process. "Embryos do grow at different rates; they can vary by about one day prior to implantation," Dr. Taylor said. "Pregnancy tests vary by the growth rate of the embryo and because of maternal body size and hydration status." So every person may test positive on a different day, regardless of how fancy the test may be. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide if waiting to find out works for you or not. If you have missed a period and recently had unprotected sex, you may be pregnant. Pregnancy tests are most reliable from the first day of your missed period. When you can do a pregnancy testYou can carry out most pregnancy tests from the first day of a missed period. If you don't know when your next period is due, do the test at least 21 days after you last had unprotected sex. Some very sensitive pregnancy tests can be used even before you miss a period. You can do a pregnancy test on a sample of urine collected at any time of the day. It doesn't have to be in the morning. Where you can get a pregnancy testYou can buy pregnancy testing kits from pharmacists and some supermarkets. They can give a quick result and you can do the test in private. The following places provide free pregnancy tests:
You may also be able to get a pregnancy test free of charge from your GP. How does a pregnancy test work?All pregnancy tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which starts to be produced around 6 days after fertilisation. Most pregnancy tests come in a box that contains 1 or 2 long sticks. You pee on the stick and the result appears on the stick after a few minutes. All tests are slightly different, so always check the instructions. Pregnancy test resultsHome pregnancy tests are accurate as long as you follow the instructions correctly. A positive test result is almost certainly correct. However, a negative test result is less reliable. The result may not be reliable if you:
Some medicines can also affect the results. If you get a negative result and still think you're pregnant, wait a few days and try again. Speak to your GP if you get a negative result after a second test but your period has not arrived. Continuing with the pregnancyIf you're pregnant and want to continue with the pregnancy, contact your GP or a midwife to start your antenatal care. You can use the pregnancy due date calculator to work out when your baby is due. If you're not sure you want to be pregnantIf you're not sure about continuing with the pregnancy, you can discuss this confidentially with a healthcare professional. Your options are:
As well as a GP or a nurse at your GP surgery, you can also get accurate, confidential information – from the age of 13 – from the following:
All these services – including community contraceptive clinics – are confidential. If you're 13 or older, the staff won't tell your parents. They'll encourage you to talk to your parents, but they won't force you. If you're under 25 and would prefer advice specifically for young people, the sexual health charity Brook provides a range of services for young people. The Brook website contains information on pregnancy choices. You can also use the Ask Brook 24/7 service. Video: Is the pregnancy test accurate?In this video, a midwife explains when you can take a pregnancy test and how to do it properly. Media last reviewed: 5 February 2020 Can you test for pregnancy 7 days before period?Trace levels of hCG can be detected as early as eight days after ovulation. That means you could get positive results several days before you expect your period to start. However, the first part of your cycle is more variable than the second, making it tricky to determine the best time for an early test.
Is a week before period too early to test?When should I take a home pregnancy test? Many home pregnancy tests claim to be accurate as early as the first day of a missed period — or even before. You're likely to get more accurate results, however, if you wait until after the first day of your missed period.
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How accurate is a pregnancy test 7 days before period
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