Can somebody inform me about Pregnancy Tests, the ones you buy in stores, and when a girl should do it, info?

Question

just wondering. does she have to take it like a couple days before her period? or any time? how effective are they? Any info would be good..

Answer 1

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.
http://www.peeonastick.com

Answer 2

there are some tests that can be used up to 4 or 5 days before her period, and some tests that must be used after she missed her period. they should say on the box when the earliest time you can use them is. most tests are 99.8% effective, for positive results, but may show a negative result when the girl is still pregnant if there is not enough pregnancy hormone in her urine... if she waits another week after the first negative test and still no period then she should test again or go to a doctor.

Answer 3

Hi,

well you buy the test a week or two after (not earlier) the intercourse. A girl needs to take a sample of her morning urine and place a special indicator of the test to the liquid. The instruction attached should say for how long it needs to be placed in urine. Then the test needs to be taken out and placed horizontally. After some time the result will be shown in the screen. Usually it is either one bar, meaning not pregnant, and two bars for positive pregnancy.
Price is about 10-15 Euros

Answer 4

most test u should get the best results at 3 weeks after missed periods. but now there is a couple new one the can tell u 3 days BEFORE a missed period! go to walgreens and talk to the pharmisist

Answer 5

Any type of pregnancy test, cheap or expensive is pretty accurate. She can take it any time, but it's probably more accurate at least 1 week after her missed period. I used a test from the dollar store, and it was very accurate.....positive:) Good luck!!

Answer 6

You should read the box, it should tell you the best time to take it. But, they say two to four weeks (after ur little "get together ")U should take the test. If u take the test after just two and get a neg. then u should try again in another week.

Answer 7

EPT is the best one out there Clear blue easy is a good one too.
I would wait at least a week after ur missed period, if ur a regular. IIf ur not regular then i would wait two weeks before taking it just dont drink or anything else if u "think" u may be prego!

Answer 8

best to be taken after she misses her period and use a 1st morning pee, saying that most tests can be done as early as 4 days before its due but again 1st morning pee has the strongest hormones so should pick up if she is.
good luck i hope u get the result you both want x x x x

Answer 9

she should wait until she period was suppose to come. there is an instruction panfet that comes with the box read it before using it and it will solve most of your questions

Answer 10

anytime after she has missed her period but some claim to be able to 'predict' a few days before.