How long after your period should you wait to take a pregnancy test?

The best time to take a pregnancy test is the first morning after a missed period. This is because the levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are highest in the urine first thing in the morning.

hCG is produced by the placenta after conception, and its levels increase rapidly in the early stages of pregnancy. However, some pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others, and some may be able to detect hCG levels as early as 10 days after ovulation.

If you take a pregnancy test too early, the result may be negative even if you are pregnant. This is because the levels of hCG may not be high enough to be detected by the test.

If you get a negative pregnancy test result but you still think you may be pregnant, it is a good idea to take another test in a few days. If your period is still late, you can also contact your doctor or nurse for a blood test to confirm pregnancy.