When to Test?

[maybebaby]

I know a lot of women on these boards seem to test really early. How many days past ovulation are you likely to get an accurate result?

I know obviously if you wait until your period is due, that's one way...But is it possible to get an accurate result earlier?

[Scooter]

An accurate, definitive result is different than an early positive. If you get a positive result, it is accurate, even if you test before AF is due. It is testing for hCG, which is a hormone made in pregnancy, so to be positive that hormone needs to be in your system.

If you get a negative result, it is not necessarily accurate until about 14 or 15 days after ovulation. A negative test before then may just mean that not enough hCG has built up in your system to register on a test yet.

The reason is implantation. The hCG begins to slowly be produced when the fertilized egg implants and then it is usually 2 or 3 days later you can get a positive test. The tricky part is that implantation happens anywhere between 5-12dpo, so you may get a positive test sometime between 7 and 15dpo, but you won't usually know when! (Sometimes people have spotting just after implantation, for a day or two, which helps you know that you can probably test early.)

That's why some women get really early BFPs while others don't get one until AF is already late. And the sensitivity of the test isn't the reason. I hope I explained all that clearly!

[guinevere]

I know that Fertility Friend recommends waiting 16-18 days past ovulation to test.

It's possible to get an accurate result earlier but that doesn't always happen.
In my opinion it's better to save your money (buying all those HPTs!) and test later.

[karlatta]

I always start testing really early (9 or 10 dpo). I know it's not likely that I will get a positive test, because implantation may not have occurred, or may have occurred too recently, but I tend to think that testing is really fun, even if it's a BFN. I use Dollar Tree tests so that I'm not wasting so much money.

[Mystikal]

I believe the average time frame for a BFP would be 12-14dpo. I got my very light BFP at 12dpo, and a blazing BFP at 14dpo.

[Lil_Mrs_0702]

I bought two tests b/c I wasn't sure if it was too early to tell during the first. Sure enough I tested negative and then 2 weeks later I tested positive.

[maybebaby]

Thanks, ladies, especially Scooter for a very clear and detailed explanation. I'm already tempted to test at 10DPO, but I guess getting a negative result still leaves room for hope.

I can see how this process can make you crazy!

[Scooter]

Thanks, ladies, especially Scooter for a very clear and detailed explanation. I'm already tempted to test at 10DPO, but I guess getting a negative result still leaves room for hope.

I can see how this process can make you crazy!

You're welcome. And testing early is why BFN doesn't always mean Big Fat Negative--it means Big Fat Neutral! Good luck.

[Reenie]

BUMPING to ask a related question

If my usual LP is around 10 days, when could I test? Should I wait until 14 DPO, and if nothing, then test? Or since AF would be due around 10 DPO, test after that?

[jennylou]

If your usual LP is 10 days, I'd test at 11dpo.