How soon can a pregnancy test show you are pregnant?

Pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine or blood. hCG is a hormone produced by the placenta that supports the pregnancy. The amount of hCG in a woman's body increases rapidly during the early stages of pregnancy. Most home pregnancy tests can detect hCG levels of at least 25 mIU/mL.

The best time to take a home pregnancy test is the first day of your missed period. However, some tests can detect pregnancy up to 4-5 days before your missed period. If you take a pregnancy test too early, you may get a negative result even if you are pregnant. This is because the hCG levels may not have reached a detectable level yet.

Blood tests can detect pregnancy earlier than home urine tests. A blood test can detect hCG levels as low as 5 mIU/mL. This means that a blood test can detect pregnancy up to 10 days after ovulation.

If you have a positive pregnancy test, it is important to see a doctor to confirm the pregnancy and to discuss your prenatal care options.