My Period is 1 Week Late - Can I Take a Pregnancy Test?

Published: August 28, 2017
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I was supposed to get my period last Sunday and I had unprotected sex this Thursday how early would a pregnancy test be able to detect it, currently my period has been late for a week
Signed: My Period is 1 Week Late - Can I Take a Pregnancy Test?

Dear My Period is 1 Week Late - Can I Take a Pregnancy Test?,

You can take a pregnancy test any time after a missed period. Some pregnancy tests are able to test within a few days prior to a missed period, however, it is possible to get false results, making it important to test again after a missed period.

Since your period is a week late, you can take a pregnancy test at any time. Just remember to read the directions carefully and follow the directions as written. You can also meet with a doctor, who would be able to test to see whether or not you are pregnant.

If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. A Planned Parenthood health center is a good option if you have concerns about cost or confidentiality issues. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.

In the event you are pregnant, it is very important for you to talk to a medical health professional about your pregnancy options. Again, if you are worried about confidentiality, a Planned Parenthood health center would be a good option.

TeenHealthFX would also like to encourage you to speak to your doctor about safer sex precautions for the future. Doctors generally recommend that teens and young adults who choose to be sexually active use condoms each and every time they have sex to protect against unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of STDs, as well as a back-up method of birth control such as the pill or birth control shot. Your doctor can make the best recommendations for you and discuss with you how to use properly use birth control to maximize its effectiveness.

FX also suggests that you check out the links in our Resource of the Month: Planned Parenthood Resources on Safer Sex so that you can learn about sexual readiness, how pregnancy happens, pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, birth control, STDs and more. The more educated you are about these topics, the more likely you will make healthy decisions for yourself when it comes to your sexual health.

Signed: TeenHealthFX

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