A lot of pregnancy test kits available over-the-counter offer accurate results just a day after a missed period, however for more reliable results, it is advisable to take a pregnancy test a week after a missed period.
But, if you have irregular periods, there are pregnancy test kits available that can provide results by taking it at least two weeks after having sexual intercourse. It might seem like a long time, but the level of hCG in a woman’s body is only detectable at least two weeks after conception.
If you are using a home pregnancy test kit, it is best to take the test at least two weeks to three weeks after conception to avoid getting false-positive and false-negative results. Although home pregnancy test kits are 97% to 99% accurate, having a blood test is still the best way to confirm a woman’s pregnancy.
Signs that you should take a pregnancy test
Here are five symptoms that should alert women to take a pregnancy test:
Missed period
Missing a period is often the first and most common pregnancy symptom most women experience before confirming their pregnancy. This symptom is more noticeable when a woman regularly monitors her menstrual cycle every month.
Take note that aside from pregnancy, missing a period can also result from poor lifestyle, stress, and hormonal imbalances.
Tender breasts
Tenderness of the breast results from the hormonal changes brought upon by pregnancy. Usually, pregnant women begin to feel that their breasts are heavier and fuller a week or two after conceiving.
The tenderness of the breasts will last until the body produces progesterone as the pregnancy progresses. Since the tenderness of the breasts is also a sign of an upcoming period, this symptom often gets overlooked as a sign of pregnancy.
Mild cramps (implantation cramps)
Women often experience abdominal cramps when they are on their period. However, mild cramps on the lower abdomen and lower back also indicate pregnancy.
These mild cramps or implantation cramps occur when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine lining. Sometimes implantation cramps are also accompanied by implantation bleeding that lasts for about 24 to 48 hours.

Bloating
Bloating is a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome or PMS due to hormonal fluctuations during menstruation. But aside from menstruation, bloating is also an early and unpleasant sign of pregnancy.
Pregnancy hormones relax the digestive system causing digestion to slow down, leading to constipation that causes bloating. Most women endure bloating right from the first trimester up until they give birth.
You feel pregnant
For sexually active women, “feeling pregnant” is often an early sign of pregnancy. When we say “feeling pregnant”, it is when a woman starts to feel tired, sleepy, and nauseous more frequently than usual.
These symptoms might only be an indication that a woman is exhausted from work, but it does not hurt to take a pregnancy test to make sure.
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