In families preparing for pregnancy, the help of pregnancy test strips is indispensable. So, how long can pregnancy be measured with test strips? Generally speaking, it can be tested one week after sexual intercourse, using a pregnancy test stick to check morning urine for pregnancy. The longer the time after sexual intercourse, the higher the accuracy. At the earliest, it takes about a week, and at the latest, it takes about three weeks to determine if you are pregnant.
The working principle of early pregnancy test strips for pregnancy self-test is to detect the hCG value, which is the value of human chorionic gonadotropin. This hormone is excreted into the urine through the pregnant woman's blood circulation. Early pregnancy test strips are a convenient and fast method for early pregnancy testing. This hormone is produced by the placenta and usually appears in the urine a few days after pregnancy. However, due to its small amount, it is difficult to detect at the beginning and becomes increasingly apparent only after 10 to 14 days. Going to the hospital for a blood test can also measure hCG levels, and it is more accurate.
It should be noted that although many types of early pregnancy test strips indicate that women can perform pregnancy self testing after missing their normal menstrual period for one day, in reality, not all pregnant women emit hCG hormones at the same rate and in the same amount, which varies from person to person. Premature urine testing may result in incorrect negative reactions.
Early pregnancy test strips and pregnancy tests can only be used as the first step in pregnancy screening and cannot be used as diagnostic methods. To avoid ectopic pregnancy and ensure the healthy development of the fetus, it is necessary to go to the hospital for further examination. Generally speaking, in the early stages of pregnancy, women may experience a series of early pregnancy symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, and breast swelling. These symptoms usually become more apparent 10 to 14 days after pregnancy and will disappear on their own after three months. So, if women experience the above symptoms, they can use early pregnancy test strips and pregnancy test sticks to test for pregnancy.