Is Pregnancy Testing Accurate 14 Days After Intercourse?

Is a pregnancy test accurate 14 days after intercourse?

Hello, I got my period on December 25, and it ended around the 28th or 29th.
I had unprotected intercourse on February 1, followed by several instances of protected intercourse.
On January 7, I took an emergency contraceptive pill, but I have not experienced withdrawal bleeding yet.
I tested for pregnancy using Clearblue on the evenings of the 12th and 7th, and both results were negative.
How accurate are those tests, and what is the likelihood of me being pregnant? Thank you.

Pinggu, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2016/01/13

Dr. Tian Yiwen reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

It is recommended to wait about 2-3 weeks after the last sexual intercourse to take a pregnancy test, as testing too early may result in a negative result even if you are pregnant.

Reply Date: 2016/01/13

More Info

When it comes to pregnancy testing, timing is crucial for accuracy. Generally, it is recommended to wait at least 14 days after unprotected intercourse to take a home pregnancy test. This is because it typically takes about 6 to 12 days after fertilization for the fertilized egg to implant in the uterus, and only after implantation does the body start producing the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is what pregnancy tests detect.

In your case, you had unprotected intercourse on February 1 and took emergency contraception on February 7. Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, ideally within 72 hours. However, they can still be effective up to 5 days after intercourse, although their efficacy decreases over time. Since you took the ECP within this window, it is likely that it has reduced your chances of becoming pregnant.

You mentioned that you took a Clearblue pregnancy test on February 12 and received a negative result. Given that this was 11 days after the unprotected intercourse, it is still a bit early for the test to be fully reliable. While some tests can detect pregnancy as early as 6 days before a missed period, the accuracy increases significantly after the 14-day mark. Therefore, it is advisable to wait until at least February 15 or 16 to retest for more reliable results.

Regarding the absence of withdrawal bleeding after taking the emergency contraceptive, this can be a common occurrence. Some women may not experience withdrawal bleeding, or it may be delayed. The absence of this bleeding does not necessarily indicate pregnancy, especially if you have taken ECPs, as they can alter your menstrual cycle temporarily.

As for your chances of being pregnant, considering that you took emergency contraception and received a negative pregnancy test, the likelihood of pregnancy is relatively low. However, if your period does not arrive as expected, it is essential to take another pregnancy test after a week or consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation.

In summary, while pregnancy tests can be accurate, waiting at least 14 days after unprotected intercourse is ideal for the most reliable results. Since you took emergency contraception and tested negative, your risk of pregnancy is low, but if your period does not come, retesting or consulting a healthcare provider is recommended for peace of mind.

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