Pregnancy Test: When and How Soon You Can Take One

There are different pregnancy tests out in the market and they have different sensitivities. However, the surest way to know if you're expecting is to find the right timing of doing the test. Here are some tips on when and how you can take a pregnancy test:

When Can I take a Pregnancy Test?

The best time to take a pregnancy test is the day of your expected period if you have missed it. If you have regular periods, it is easier for you to track down when you'll miss your periods.

It is wise to look at the packaging of your pregnancy test as it also contains instructions or recommendation of when best to use it. The result/s of the test will almost always be correct, according to NHS.

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?

There are two types of pregnancy tests. The most common one is the private home pregnancy kits and the other is the blood test. If you've already used one before, you know that private pregnancy tests requires several drops of your urine.

According to WebMD, the urine contains the human chorionic gonadtropin (hCG), a hormone that immediately develops after a fertilized egg has successfully attached to the woman's uterus. A pregnancy test helps indicate if these hormones are present in your body which will tell you if you are pregnant or not. 

Blood tests, on the other hand, are only usually done by doctors and the results usually take longer than the private pregnancy test. However, this method allows you to know earlier if you are pregnant or not.

Signs You Should Take a Pregnancy Test

According to Healthline, all birth controls except for abstinence have a chance of failing. If you're suspecting that you might be pregnant, below are some signs that you should take the test.

The most obvious indicator of pregnancy is a missed period. However, the menstrual cycles can be delayed so it's hard to know if you're just late or pregnant.

Another sign is of you have cramps similar to the ones you feel when you have your period. Breast tenderness is another sign to watch out for. Symptoms like exhaustion, frequent urination, nausea are tell-tale signs as well.