Pregnancy Testing: Timing and Symptoms Explained

Pregnancy test questions?

Hello, Doctor: My menstrual period was from March 9 to March 13, with a cycle of 28 days, occasionally extending to 30 days.
I had sexual intercourse with my husband on March 18 and went to an amusement park with friends on March 23, where I rode many thrilling rides.
On March 26, I noticed egg white-like discharge with some blood streaks, and I have been experiencing mild abdominal pain and lower back discomfort since then.
The discharge has been slightly present.
Since we do not have plans for a baby yet, I took a pregnancy test on the morning of March 27, which showed one line.
I took another pregnancy test in the afternoon of March 29, and the result was also one line.
Since it has been almost two weeks since intercourse, can I use a pregnancy test? When would be the best time to test for accuracy? Could the abdominal pain and lower back discomfort indicate pregnancy, or could it be premenstrual syndrome?

Mi, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/03/30

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Similar questions have been asked too many times.
Dear inquirer: Based on your description, there is a possibility of pregnancy.
However, the absence of pregnancy cannot be determined by subjective symptoms.
It is recommended that if your period is more than a week late, you should take a urine test to check for pregnancy, as this will be more accurate at that time.
Thank you! Wishing you peace and health, Dr.
Chang.

Reply Date: 2017/03/30

More Info

When it comes to understanding pregnancy testing, timing and symptoms play crucial roles. Based on your menstrual cycle, which typically lasts 28 to 30 days, your expected period would be around March 9 to March 13. You mentioned having unprotected intercourse on March 18, which is just a few days after your last period ended. This timing is important because conception is most likely to occur during the ovulation window, which typically happens around 14 days before your next expected period.

You noted experiencing egg-white cervical mucus with blood streaks on March 26, which can be a sign of ovulation or implantation bleeding. However, the presence of slight abdominal pain and lower back discomfort could be attributed to various factors, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or even the physical activities you engaged in at the amusement park.

Regarding your pregnancy tests on March 27 and March 29, both showing a single line, it is essential to understand how home pregnancy tests work. These tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is produced shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. Generally, it takes about 6 to 12 days after conception for hCG levels to rise enough to be detected by a home pregnancy test. Since you had intercourse on March 18, it may still be too early for the test to detect pregnancy accurately, especially if implantation occurred later.

For the most accurate results, it is recommended to wait until at least the day of your expected period to take a home pregnancy test. If your period does not arrive as expected, testing again a few days later can provide more reliable results. If you continue to experience symptoms such as abdominal pain or back discomfort, it may be beneficial to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation.

In summary, while your symptoms could suggest early pregnancy, they could also be related to PMS or other factors. The timing of your tests may have been too early to confirm pregnancy definitively. If your period does not come, consider retesting a few days later or consulting with a healthcare professional for a blood test, which can detect pregnancy earlier than home tests. Always listen to your body, and if you have concerns about your symptoms, seeking medical advice is a prudent step.

Similar Q&A

Understanding Pregnancy Testing Timing: When to Get Tested

Hello: The menstrual periods in the past six months were on 2017/09/19, 10/19, 11/30, 1/6, 2/7, and 3/6, lasting for 7 days, with an irregular cycle. I had intercourse with my boyfriend on 3/30 (with a condom) and on 3/31 (without a condom, with some penetration). It seems that m...

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Menstrual cycle dates in the past six months: 09/19/2017, 10/19, 11/30, 01/06, 02/07, 03/06, lasting for 7 days, with an irregular cycle. Had intercourse with boyfriend on 03/30 (with condom), 03/31 (last time without condom, minimal penetration), and it seems that menstruation s...

Signs of Pregnancy: Understanding Symptoms and When to Take a Test

My girlfriend has been feeling nauseous lately, experiencing lower back pain, dizziness, and there's bleeding when I insert my fingers into her vagina during intercourse, which didn't happen before. The nausea started around the same time. Could this be a sign of pregna...

Dr. Li Guanghan reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
You can take a pregnancy test three days after a missed period. Symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and bleeding could all be signs of pregnancy. - Dr. Cheng Jin-He, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hsinchu Hospital.

When to Use a Pregnancy Test: Understanding Delayed Menstruation

When should you buy a pregnancy test?

Dr. Lü Lizheng reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Generally, if pregnancy occurs, it should be detectable about ten to fifteen days after intercourse. Sincerely, Dr. Li-Cheng Lu, Taoyuan Hospital.

When to Take a Pregnancy Test: Timing and Ultrasound Guidance

Hello, doctor~~~ My menstrual period started on December 29th. I had intercourse on January 11th and January 13th. My menstrual cycle is about 28 to 30 days. This week, I started experiencing breast tenderness, a feeling of heaviness in my lower abdomen, and yesterday I had some ...

Dr. Lin Wenbin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
It is recommended to take a pregnancy test when your expected menstrual period is missed. Although it is possible to test positive for pregnancy before the period is due, a negative result does not necessarily mean you are not pregnant. If a urine test indicates pregnancy, you sh...