Pregnancy / Question
Published: February 28, 2000

Dear TeenHealthFX,

I was wondering if you take a pregnancy test only a few days after having sex, will the test be accurate?

Signed: Pregnancy Tests

Dear Pregnancy Tests,

Home pregnancy tests can be very accurate if used correctly and according to the package instructions! Most home pregnancy tests instructions say to wait until 8 - 11 days after ovulation or after the first day of your missed period.

For you, the answer to your question is no if the test is showing a negative result. If the result is positive, you are probably pregnant.

Home pregnancy tests use your urine to look for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). HCG is a hormone produced in the placenta after a female becomes pregnant. The amount of HGC increases as the pregnancy continues. If you use a pregnancy test 3 or 4 days after sex and you are pregnant, your body has not produced enough of the HCG to show up, leading to a negative result that could really be positive. This would mean you are pregnant and not know about it!

 

If you think you are pregnant or have had unprotected sex, call a local teen health center ASAP. A teen health center can give you a more accurate blood test to determine if you are pregnant. If so, the teen health center will go over your options that include abortion, adoption or keeping the baby. They can then refer you to the appropriate place like an abortion clinic, adoption agency or an obstetrician. If you go to the teen health center within 72 hours, you may be able to get a prescription for emergency contraception that could prevent pregnancy.

 

Even if you are not pregnant, but still sexually active, it is important that you go to a teen health center. The professionals and doctors at the center can discuss safer sex (condom use and a second method of birth control like Depo-Provera or birth control pills) to prevent unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Also, a teen health center can see you without your parent's permission and on a low/no cost basis.

If you live in Northern New Jersey, please call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at (973) 971.5199. If you live outside of Northern New Jersey, please call your local Planned Parenthood.

If you have had unprotected sex or think you may be pregnant, don't delay. Call your local teen health center ASAP.

Signed: TeenHealthFX

While 93% of teenage women report that their first intercourse was voluntary, one-quarter of these young women report that it was unwanted. ⁷