How Soon After Unprotected Can I Test for Pregnancy?

So you’ve just had unprotected sex and there’s a possibility you could become pregnant. Technically, you’re not pregnant yet… but you could be very soon. 

So how long do you have to wait until you’ll know for sure?

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about testing for pregnancy, including the different types of tests available, how early you can take a pregnancy test, and other signs and symptoms to look out for in early pregnancy. 

What Is a Pregnancy Test? 

A pregnancy test measures hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) levels to help determine whether or not you’re pregnant. The two most common types of pregnancy tests include: 

• Urine pregnancy test: A test that measures hCG levels in urine – can be taken privately at home. Results are displayed as either ‘pregnant’ or ‘not pregnant’. 
• Blood pregnancy test: A test that measures hCG levels in blood – requires a visit to the doctor’s office. Results are displayed as a numeric hCG concentration level. 

The primary benefit of a urine pregnancy test is that it can be taken anytime at your convenience – and you’ll also receive your results of ‘pregnant’ or ‘not pregnant’ within around 10-15 minutes. 

On the other hand, a blood test requires an appointment at your doctor’s office, and it can take a few hours for your results to be processed in a lab. However, your results will show your numeric hCG level at the time of testing. Your doctor may want to look at this if your pregnancy is high-risk or if you are currently undergoing fertility treatment (such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF)).  

In addition to urine and blood testing, pregnancy can also be detected as early as three days after a missed period with an ultrasound scan at your doctor’s office. 

How Does Conception Occur?

Planning

Even though it’s technically possible to conceive anytime after having unprotected sex, for many couples, it can take several cycles to successfully plan a pregnancy.

Why? Because a key element of conception comes down to timing. 

In fact, conception is only possible during an individual’s fertile window – which is the four days leading up to ovulation, the day of ovulation, and the day after ovulation. 

Naturally, you may notice that your libido is higher around ovulation. This is nature’s way of telling you that it’s a good time to conceive. 

If you want to plan a pregnancy but you can’t tell when your body ovulates, it’s a good idea to start tracking ovulation. There are several different ways you can do this. For example, you can simply estimate ovulation with a calculator, or, you can track biological markers such as basal body temperature (BBT) and cervical mucus. 

Alternatively, the most accurate way to estimate your fertile window and pinpoint ovulation is by monitoring your hormone levels directly – and this can be done with the Mira Hormone Monitor. By tracking up to four key fertility hormones in urine, you can identify your unique cycle patterns, predict and confirm ovulation, and plan sex with your partner at the right time each cycle to maximize your chances of conception.  

Fertilization and Implantation 

If an egg is fertilized, it then becomes a zygote. The zygote continues to develop while also traveling down the uterine tube towards the uterus. Eventually, it will implant itself into the uterine wall – a process called implantation. 

This entire process – from fertilization to implantation – takes around 6-12 days. If implantation is successful, this means you are pregnant. 

Implantation also triggers the formation of the chorion (i.e. the future placenta), which begins producing hCG. Even though hCG is released at this time, it can still take a few more days for your hCG levels to be high enough to be detected in a standard urine pregnancy test. This is why doctors recommend waiting to take a pregnancy test until at least one day after the start of your next missed period. 

The Role of hCG in Pregnancy Testing

So what exactly is hCG and why is it tested to confirm pregnancy? 

Again, hCG is produced by the developing placenta following implantation. Its primary role is to stimulate the production of progesterone, which the body needs to sustain a pregnancy. HCG levels double every 48-72 hours during the first four to six weeks of pregnancy, making it the perfect hormone to test to confirm whether or not you’re pregnant. 

Although tests can vary, most urine pregnancy tests can detect hCG levels that are above 5-25 MIU/mL. For the majority of people, this means that hCG can be detected in a pregnancy test no sooner than one day after the start of their missed period. 

To learn more about hCG levels and how they develop throughout pregnancy, check out our article hCG Levels by Week: Normal Pregnancy hCG Levels Chart.  

How Soon Can You Take a Pregnancy Test?

After having unprotected sex, the earliest you can take a pregnancy test is the day after the start of your next missed period. On average, this is around two weeks after ovulation (14 DPO). 

It’s important to remember though that every cycle is unique and timelines can vary. For example, if your menstrual cycle is irregular, doctors recommend waiting at least four weeks after having unprotected sex before taking a pregnancy test. This will give your hCG levels plenty of time to rise so they can be detected in a pregnancy test. 

Early Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

The most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy include: 

• Implantation bleeding
• Breast tenderness
• Cramping
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Changes in taste and smell
• Mood swings
• Frequent urination

Unfortunately, early pregnancy symptoms are very similar to PMS symptoms – so it can be hard to figure out whether your symptoms are due to a potential pregnancy or your next period. 

That’s why it’s so important to wait until at least one day after your next anticipated period (or four weeks after unprotected sex if your period is irregular) to take a pregnancy test. This will ensure that your hCG levels are elevated enough to confirm pregnancy. 

Even if you suspect you’re experiencing early signs of pregnancy, it is still best to wait until the right time to test. This will reduce your risk of receiving a false negative result. 

To learn more about the very early symptoms of pregnancy, check out our article, DPO Symptoms: What to Expect From 1 to 12 Days Past Ovulation. 

Factors Influencing Testing Time

Early Pregnancy Tests 

Certain at-home pregnancy tests are marketed as being able to detect pregnancy as early as six days before a missed period. However, it’s important to note that early detection tests at this time only work in around 79% of pregnancies. This means that 21% of pregnancies will receive a false negative result – which can cause unnecessary stress and heartache in couples who are actively planning a pregnancy. 

If you are comfortable with the risks associated with early pregnancy tests – go for it! If not, we recommend waiting until at least the first day after your next expected period. This will ensure that you receive the most accurate results. 

Irregular Menstrual Cycles

If you have irregular menstrual cycles, it can be difficult to predict when your next period will be. In this scenario, doctors recommend waiting until at least 36 days after the first day of your last period or four weeks after having unprotected sex before taking a pregnancy test. 

If you receive a negative test result, you may have tested too early. Wait two to three more days and then take another test – or, arrange an appointment at your doctor’s office for a blood test. 

Hormonal Birth Control

When it comes to hormonal birth control, no method is 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. Whether you’ve missed a pill or forgot to change your patch, if you have had unprotected sex, there is still a chance you could be pregnant. 

So when is a good time to take a pregnancy test in this case?

Similar to the guidance on irregular periods, we recommend taking a pregnancy test at least four weeks after having unprotected sex. This will ensure that your hCG levels are high enough to be able to be detected in a pregnancy test. 

Final Thoughts

Waiting until it’s the right time to take a pregnancy test can be excruciating. However, to avoid confusion with a false positive or false negative result, it’s really important to wait until your body is ready to test. 

During this waiting period, try to keep yourself busy as best as you can. To protect the health of a potential pregnancy, it’s also recommended to take care of your body as if you were pregnant by avoiding toxic substances (such as alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs) and making sure to take a prenatal multi-vitamin. 

Frequently Asked Questions