You may be sick of hearing this but I was wonder when would be best to take a pregnancy test?

Question

I've had unprotected sex with my boyfriend before but never until he ejaculated, we usually stopped awhile before then. There were a few times when it came close though, and I know that pre-ejaculate can contain more sperm than actual ejaculate. I had sex with him on a thursday night and started my period the next morning. It was much shorter and more painful than usual. I was just wondering when the best time would be to take a pregnancy test (to be sure) because I didn't actually miss a period? I don't need a lecture though, I am an adult. Some people don't seem to understand that running to the doctor for every little thing is ridiculous and sometimes unfeasible. I was hoping there would be some women on here with knowledge of the subject. Thank you.

Answer 1

Two weeks from the date you had sex will give the best results if you take a test. If that one comes negative take another one two weeks after that. If that one comes out negative too, I would say you are safe.

I know there is a possibility to get on your cycle after getting pregnant. Just to give you a piece of mind though you will not start ovulating at least after the second day of your cycle. Every woman is different, but what I know from my three pregnancies and what my doctor said; woman ovulate counting the first day of your cycle within the first two-week-window. I would say you are pretty safe there, however it is always good to be on the safe side.

If you do not want to take chances at all why not got to one of those free clinics and get a morning after pill?

Good Luck!

Answer 2

How soon can I test? Well, first you gotta know how the test works. Briefly: the home pregnancy test (HPT) works by detecting a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG.) When an egg is fertilized, it takes about 6 to 12 days to implant in the uterus, and then it begins to secrete hCG. It takes another day or two for enough hCG to build up and make its way into your pee. So, generally speaking, the earliest you can expect a positive HPT is 8 days past ovulation ("DPO") and the latest would be about 16 DPO. It is possible to get a positive test earlier or later, but not as common. In my experience, if you use a sensitive "early" test (anything that detects 25 mIU/mL of hCG or less) you can test around 12-14 DPO and feel reasonably secure with your results (the later you test, the more secure you can feel in its accuracy.)

If you do not chart or monitor your fertility in any way, and you think you may have conceived, you should wait 19 days (or longer) after having sex to test. Why 19?! Sperm can live approximately 5 days in the proper environment; if the sperm managed to live until you popped an egg, the actual conception could have taken place several days after the sex act that got the sperm there. To make sure you're not testing too early, assume the sperm had very long lives (5 days is considered a very long sperm life) and that conception occurred then. Then allow 14 days for the embryo to implant and develop enough hCG to show up on a pregnancy test (96% of pregnant women will test positive by then.)

Note: some HPT's say "test 5 days before your period is due!" or some such thing. Please note they are assuming a textbook 28-day cycle, with ovulation on Day 14. "5 days before your period is due" thus really "translates" to 10 DPO.

Essentially, you should remember that your high school biology textbook was WRONG. NOT all women have 28-day cycles and NOT all women ovulate on Day 14. For more info on this type of thing, see the Fertility Info section.

Here's an example. This is the textbook-perfect 28-day cycle with ovulation occurring on day 14 (in pink.) 10 DPO and later are reasonable days for testing (in green.) This is the cycle the HPT companies have in mind when they say "test 5 days before your period is due!"



Well, not everyone's body works this way. Here's another 28-day cycle-- but this one has ovulation occurring a little bit later, still well within the normal range. Watch what happens to your (green) testing opportunities!



All of a sudden, "5 days before your period is due!" is way too early for you to expect a positive test! (I tend to ovulate later myself, so by the time the "gold standard" of testing at 14 DPO is applicable, my period is already 3 days late! I needed to use an "early detection" test on the first day of my missed period. A "regular" test would probably have been negative-- even though my daughter is living proof that I was, indeed, pregnant ;)

Of course, it works in reverse, too. If you're an early ovulator, you're lucky! Check it out:



In this scenario, you could test even sooner than 5 days before your expected period.

Ultimately, it's important to remember that implantation is a variable thing. You may be able to detect a pregnancy very early on, but then again, you may not! If you can't, don't despair.



2. What's the best test to use? This seems to change periodically! Some tests are well-liked and then a "bad batch" comes out, and some tests are known for being duds but then switch manufacturers and redeem themselves. See the HPT Overview section for current comments on each brand.

If you are trying to detect a pregnancy 13 DPO or earlier, you probably want to use a more sensitive brand. Anything that detects 25 mIU/mL of hCG (English: anything that detects a tiny bit of pregnancy hormone) is good for early testing. See the HPT Overview section to see which tests are most sensitive and the HPT Showdown for a real-life comparison of 15 brands.

Surprisingly, cheap tests purchased at dollar stores or on the Internet are often more sensitive and reliable than expensive store brands. HPT's are like soda: very cheap to make, and marked up quite a bit for retail.



Good luck

Answer 3

The best time is to wait until the day after your period is expected. I know so many people on here say go to the doctor for every little thing. If you say you started your period then im sure you arent because if it was implantation bleeding(whenthe egg attaches itself to the uterus) then it shouldnt have been painful at all.

Answer 4

I'd take one no sooner than 5 days before your next period. First Response tests are the best.

Answer 5

You will get an accurate result with a home pregnancy test two weeks after the time of possible conception.

No lecture from me! ;-)

Answer 6

You should be safe to take a test now. Its unlikely that you're pregnant this time. If you're going to keep on like this just make sure youre willing to be an only parent.

Answer 7

It depends on how long ago that was and when you are expecting your next period. I have found the absolute best advice on www.medhelp.com, just go to the womens reproductive health section, and the women there are sooo helpful. Please check it out. I hope i've helped you.

Answer 8

Take it right now. It is better for you to find out the truth now and be prepared for it, than to wait a few months to find out the news, and it will be much harder to get ready for it.