How soon can you accurately test for pregnancy?

[miriamf]

Exactly what the title says.

Some sources say a minimum of 14 days after intercourse, others say 21. Why is there such a large difference?

Other sources tell you to test at least X amount of days past ovulation? How many specifically and what if you don’t know when you ovulate?

FRER pregnancy tests say you can take them 5 days before your expected period date. Assuming you ovulate 14 days before menstruation, you’d be testing 9DPO. If you get sperm inside you that live for 5 days before fertilization and then 9 days later you test. You’d be at 14 days. Is that too soon?

 

[jameslog]

@miriamf https://www.reddit.com/r/amipregnant/s/FBJLOP7UeU

 

[honestatheist]

@miriamf If you want to be 100% sure with no doubts at all - you test at 21 days after sex.

Here is why:

Sperm can live for 5 days and wait for an egg.

Egg arrives - conception happens. (the egg only lives for 12 to 24 hours - so conception is going to happen on the day of ovulation - there is no delays or added time for this step)

After conception, it can take anything from 6 to 12 more days for implantation to happen.

Pregnancy hormones that tests are looking for don't start building up until implantation happens. So, add another 2 to 4 days to allow enough hormones for an accurate test.

Total all those numbers at their highest values: 5 + 12 + 4 = 21 days.

If you are tracking ovulation and you absolutely know when ovulation happened, then testing at 14 days is going to be accurate. If you don't test for ovulation and don't know when ovulation happened, then testing at 21 days is probably a better option. (remember, apps are only guessing at ovulation. Physical signs of ovulation aren't a guarantee of ovulation. Tracking BBT is the most accurate prediction for ovulation)

The real problem with early detection pregnancy tests would be that ovulation can be early or late during any cycle. If ovulation was late during the cycle, then testing "early" with an "early detection test" might show a false negative because of ovulation being later than expected.

 

[hillegas]

@miriamf Most people who are pregnant will get a positive test by 14 days after sex with concentrated urine and a sensitive test. By 21 days after sex if you are pregnant you will get an obvious positive on any test regardless of the sensitivity of the test or concentration of urine.