Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-08-21
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Missed your period and feeling queasy? Wondering if you’re pregnant? Discover the most accurate pregnancy testing methods, early symptoms to watch for, and tips for reliable results. Bowtie’s info team has gathered the essentials to guide you on using pregnancy test kits correctly and bust common myths!
When Should You Take a Pregnancy Test?
If your period is late and you’re experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, it’s time to take a pregnancy test. You can test about 1 to 2 weeks after your missed period. Testing too early might lead to a false negative due to low hormone levels in your urine. Here are some early pregnancy symptoms for reference.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms
- Missed Period: If your menstrual cycle is usually regular but it’s more than 10 days late
- Mood Swings: Hormones can cause big emotional fluctuations, making you feel tense easily
- Basal Body Temperature Stays High: Women’s body temperature is usually low from the end of menstruation to ovulation, but in pregnancy, it remains high
- Nausea and Vomiting: The severity varies; it’s often worst in the morning
- Breast Changes: Tender breasts, enlarged and darkened areolas, and small bumps on surrounding skin
- Dizziness and Fatigue
- Loss of Appetite or Change in Taste
- Tiredness and Sleepiness
- Increased Vaginal Discharge
- Frequent Urination and Constipation
If you notice these symptoms, even if the pregnancy test is negative, we recommend seeing a doctor for a thorough check-up.
Common Pregnancy Test Methods
Common pregnancy tests on the market work by checking the hCG levels in your urine to determine if you’re pregnant.
| Urine Test | Blood Test | |
| Method | Usually done with a pregnancy test stick | Blood draw at a hospital or clinic |
| Principle | Tests hCG concentration in urine | Tests hCG concentration in blood |
| Best Testing Time | 7 days after a missed period | Detectable from the 10th day after fertilization when hCG levels rise |
| Accuracy | Over-the-counter tests are up to 99% accurate | More accurate than urine tests |
Once pregnancy is confirmed, an ultrasound scan is necessary to further assess the embryo’s condition and check for ectopic pregnancy. There are two types: abdominal ultrasound and vaginal ultrasound, usually performed after 5 weeks of pregnancy:
- Abdominal Ultrasound: Checks the embryo’s development, size, heartbeat, etc.
- Vaginal Ultrasound: Performed via the vagina for a closer scan of the uterus, it detects pregnancy earlier and diagnoses ectopic pregnancy more accurately than abdominal ultrasound.
How to Read Pregnancy Test Results
Reading the results on a pregnancy test is straightforward. If one line appears, it means you’re not pregnant; two lines mean you are pregnant. If no control line shows up after 5 minutes, the test is invalid or failed.
If the test shows one dark and one faint line—where the control line is clear but the test line is light—it could indicate pregnancy. We suggest testing again the next day or consulting a doctor for a detailed check.
Most Accurate Pregnancy Test Tips
Testing about 1 to 2 weeks after a missed period is generally more accurate. Testing too early might not detect enough hCG in your urine for a positive result, affecting accuracy. Morning urine usually has higher hCG levels, so we recommend using first-morning urine to boost reliability.
Different brands of pregnancy tests may vary in usage, so follow the instructions on the package. Also, check if the product is expired or affected by moisture, as this could skew the results.
Why Pregnancy Tests Aren’t Foolproof
Home pregnancy test results can be influenced by various factors. It’s wise to pay attention to changes in your body, and if in doubt, seek a doctor’s advice right away. Here are some factors that can affect the outcome:
- Incorrect use of the pregnancy test
- Expired or moisture-damaged test
- Pregnancy too early, with insufficient hCG for detection
- Taking medications containing hCG
In rare cases, you might get a false positive, such as after recent childbirth, miscarriage, ovarian cysts, kidney disease, certain cancers, hormone-affecting conditions, or tumors from placental cells. These can cause a positive result even if you’re not pregnant. So, after using a home test, head to a gynecology clinic or hospital for further checks to confirm the most accurate result.
About the Author
Dr. Angel Wong (黃潔華醫生)
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (UK)
- Fellow of the Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (Obstetrics and Gynaecology)
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