After how many days of sex can you check for pregnancy?

If you think you could be pregnant, maybe after a contraceptive failure or unprotected sex, this article will help you decide when to check for pregnancy after sex.

The answer to this ever-confusing question is simple, the farther you take the test, the more chances it shows accurate results. The ideal answer is explained further in this article.

When to check for pregnancy after sex

Two-weeks rule

The answer lies in the two-weeks rule. It means waiting until two weeks after having sex to take the pregnancy test. This method can provide accurate results for women having a proper 28-day cycle. It is important to note here that many women do not experience a perfect 28-day cycle due to birth control measures, hormonal changes, stress, or medication.

After missing your period

The day your period was supposed to start or when you realise that the cycle is late is fitting to check for pregnancy after sex. If the test still shows confusing results, you may take the test again the very next day. The best time of day to take the test is right after you wake up in the morning as the hCG hormone is highly concentrated then.

If you still see a negative result, wait for another two days and test again. The hCG hormones double up faster during early pregnancy.

How do you check for pregnancy after sex?

Women often take tests earlier than prescribed and conclude they are not pregnant. It can be more confusing if you spot or bleed during the first trimester. Additionally, conducting a pregnancy test before your next menstruation cycle or two weeks after sex may lead to a false-negative result.

We have described the exact process of going about the pregnancy test to avoid jumping to conclusions and needless worries.

Home test kit

A simple home test pregnancy kit is available in any medical store.

All you need to do is–

• Collect urine in a cup.
• Place the tip of the testing stick into the cup.
• Hold for a few seconds.
• You will see two red lines for a positive result.
• Or you will see a single red line showing a negative result.

Another type of testing kit comprises a small plate that you can hold near the urine stream. It absorbs the urine mid-stream and shows the result. It will show a plus sign for a positive result and a minus sign for a negative result.

Negative result

If the test shows a negative result, you might not be pregnant. But you can be pregnant if–

• The test kit has expired.
• You have taken the test the wrong way.
• You have taken the test too soon.
• The urine is diluted because you drank a lot of fluids before taking the test.
• You are under medication that might have given a wrong indication.

Signs of Pregnancy

After having unprotected sex and before missing your periods, you can see the following symptoms that may lead to pregnancy.

• Cramps

The first few weeks of pregnancy cause cramps in the abdominal area that might feel like your period is around the corner, but it isn’t.

• Breasts hurt

When you are pregnant, your body starts producing estrogen and progesterone in large quantities to support the baby's growth in your body. Thus, your breasts may feel tender and appear bigger as the blood flow increases. Also, the veins of the breasts might look darker, and the nipples may hurt.

• Uneasy

You might feel nauseous, exhausted, have food aversions, urinate frequently, have body aches, etc.

Sexually active women must regularly conduct a home test if they experience any or all of the above signs and symptoms. When they are in their reproductive years, pregnancy can take place every month. When in doubt, testing is the best option and confirming with a blood test is a must. A doctor's visit will solve all the problems instead of simply taking repetitive tests at home and worrying about the result.

A positive result on the home kit does not confirm pregnancy. If you wish to know when to check for pregnancy after sex, you can ask or get yourself checked by a gynaecologist or a family physician and get your pregnancy confirmed through a blood/urine test and ultrasound.

Article source: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/five-signs-to-take-pregnancy-test

https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/pregnancy-tests