You Had Unprotected Sex. Should You Take a Pregnancy Test?

 
Avail NYC exists to be a safe haven for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy or seeking support after an abortion. We are not a medical provider. 

Should You Take a Pregnancy Test?

If you have had unprotected sex, you may be asking yourself, “Should I take a pregnancy test?” The short answer to that is yes. Taking a pregnancy test will either rule out or confirm pregnancy, but the timing of when to test is important. If you are wondering which pregnancy test is most accurate in determining pregnancy, read our blog post "Which Home Pregnancy Tests Are Most Accurate."

When Should You Purchase a Test?

Before purchasing a test, understand that pregnancy does not happen overnight. To learn more about the factors that determine pregnancy, read our post  "How Soon After Sex Can You Get Pregnant? What You Should Know.” One of the most common indicators of pregnancy is a missed period. It will take at least one to two weeks for your body to start producing enough of the hormone hCG to be detectable by a pregnancy test. Once an egg has been fertilized, it will travel down one of the fallopian tubes and implant in the uterus. hCG will be released by the body only after implantation occurs. Waiting a sufficient amount of time to take a pregnancy test will reduce the risk of a false positive or false negative result.

It is normal to experience anxiety if you think you might be pregnant. Avail NYC offers free, self-administered pregnancy tests for women who may be facing an unexpected pregnancy.

 
Avail NYC exists to be a safe haven for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy or seeking support after an abortion. We are not a medical provider.