If you have missed a period and recently had unprotected sex, you may be pregnant. Pregnancy tests are most reliable from the first day of your missed period. You can carry out most pregnancy tests from the first day of a missed period. If you don't know when your next period is due, do the test at least 21 days after you last had unprotected sex. Some very sensitive pregnancy tests can be used even before you miss a period. You can do a pregnancy test on a sample of urine collected at any time of the day. It doesn't have to be in the morning. You can buy pregnancy testing kits from pharmacists and some supermarkets. They can give a quick result and you can do the
test in private. The following places provide free pregnancy tests: You may also be able to get a pregnancy test free of charge from your GP. All pregnancy tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which starts to be produced around 6 days after fertilisation. Most
pregnancy tests come in a box that contains 1 or 2 long sticks. You pee on the stick and the result appears on the stick after a few minutes. All tests are slightly different, so always check the instructions. Home pregnancy tests are accurate as long as you follow the instructions correctly. A positive test result is almost certainly correct. However, a negative
test result is less reliable. The result may not be reliable if you: Some medicines can also affect the results. If you get a negative result and still think you're pregnant, wait a few days and try again. Speak to your GP if you get a negative result after a second
test but your period has not arrived. If you're pregnant and want to continue with the pregnancy, contact your GP or a midwife to start your antenatal care. You can use the pregnancy due date
calculator to work out when your baby is due. If you're not sure about continuing with the pregnancy, you can discuss this confidentially with a healthcare professional. Your options are: As well as a GP or a nurse at your GP surgery, you can also get accurate, confidential information – from the age of 13 – from the following: All these services – including community
contraceptive clinics – are confidential. If you're 13 or older, the staff won't tell your parents. They'll encourage you to talk to your parents, but they won't force you. If you're under 25 and would prefer advice specifically for young people, the sexual health charity Brook provides a range of services for young people. The Brook website contains information on pregnancy
choices. You can also use the Ask Brook 24/7 service.When you can do a pregnancy test
Where you can get a pregnancy test
How does a pregnancy test work?
Pregnancy test results
Continuing with the pregnancy
If you're not sure you want to be pregnant
Video: Is the pregnancy test accurate?
In this video, a midwife explains when you can take a pregnancy test and how to do it properly.
Media last reviewed: 5 February 2020
Media review due: 5 February 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars FRER sensitivity - checked with precise HCG concentrations
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2017
I decided to post some data about this FRER sensitivity for those of you who are like me wonders how the test reflects the actual HCG concentrations. I made serial dilutions of human recombinant HCG (Novarel), that I had some leftovers of after my IVF cycle. The dilutions were made with lab pipets, so the concentration should be pretty precise, and in the appropriate buffer (sorry for the details, that was my husband's urine) to model the amount of HCG in the urine for the test. Here are results (see photos attached too).At 5 mU/ml, which is below the threshold of 6 mU/ml ( the sensitivity, claimed by the brand), the test is very-very faint. However, I would consider it positive, because just husband's urine only gives no second line at all (I do not have photo for this, we did it some time ago with our first unsuccessful transfer, when I had chemical pregnancy). 5 mU/ml in your first morning urine is equal about 10-15 mU/ml in blood, so this is comparable to 5-4 days before your missed period. Also, compare the 5 mU/ml results with my actual results for 8 days post transfer of 6-day blastocyst (last picture), two days later at 10dpt I had blood beta-HCG level of 38.At 20 mU/ml we can see clear positive results. This is HCG level that you will have at your first day of missed period, and equals to about 40-60 mU/ml of beta-HCG in blood.And only at 100 mU/ml we see the second line at the same brightness as the control line. I would say at this HCG level the FRER test reaches it's saturation point.Also, I found out that you may use LH tests (used for ovulation detection) instead of HCG for the early results. LH tests are very sensitive, looks like even more sensitive than FRER (you can see how much darker the test line is for the 5 mU/ml sample). I could not find an information about what subunit of LH these tests are detecting, my understanding it is beta-subunit of LH which is nearly identical in structure to beta-subunit of HCG. Beta-HCG, however, has about 30 additional amino acids, so home pregnancy tests designed to pick up beta-HCG only, while home ovulation tests will pick up both. After ovulation and during pregnancy LH levels are down, so in my opinion you can easily use you LH leftover test to monitor HCG levels, at least to see how it doubles, for example.Another observation for FRER, these tests tend to get darker with time. If your HCG levels are expected to be below or around the threshold (like day 6 post IVF transfer or so), and the test line does not show up, I suggest you keep the test for another 24 h and you may see faint positive later.For those users, who claim about "false" positive FRER results. As my experiments with my husband's urine proved, if you do not have HCG, the test will be clear negative - no test line at all, only control line. If you see faint positive, which lately with another test disappeared, or if your period came, that means you had so called chemical pregnancy. It might be devastating, I understand, we had a chemical with our first failed IVF cycle. But this is a drawback of using very sensitive test, so just be prepared.To summarize my experiment: FRER is very sensitive, it shows faint positive even below claimed threshold, however good positive results are at about 20 mU/ml, or your first day of missed period. I give only 4 stars for these tests because of the idiotic curved handle - it is completely unnecessary design, makes it difficult to lay flat, and takes more space in the drawer if you want to keep the used test for future reference.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2017
I decided to post some data about this FRER sensitivity for those of you who are like me wonders how the test reflects the actual HCG concentrations. I made serial dilutions of human recombinant HCG (Novarel), that I had some leftovers of after my IVF cycle. The dilutions were made with lab pipets, so the concentration should be pretty precise, and in the appropriate buffer (sorry for the details, that was my husband's urine) to model the amount of HCG in the urine for the test. Here are results (see photos attached too).
At 5 mU/ml, which is below the threshold of 6 mU/ml ( the sensitivity, claimed by the brand), the test is very-very faint. However, I would consider it positive, because just husband's urine only gives no second line at all (I do not have photo for this, we did it some time ago with our first unsuccessful transfer, when I had chemical pregnancy). 5 mU/ml in your first morning urine is equal about 10-15 mU/ml in blood, so this is comparable to 5-4 days before your missed period. Also, compare the 5 mU/ml results with my actual results for 8 days post transfer of 6-day blastocyst (last picture), two days later at 10dpt I had blood beta-HCG level of 38.
At 20 mU/ml we can see clear positive results. This is HCG level that you will have at your first day of missed period, and equals to about 40-60 mU/ml of beta-HCG in blood.
And only at 100 mU/ml we see the second line at the same brightness as the control line. I would say at this HCG level the FRER test reaches it's saturation point.
Also, I found out that you may use LH tests (used for ovulation detection) instead of HCG for the early results. LH tests are very sensitive, looks like even more sensitive than FRER (you can see how much darker the test line is for the 5 mU/ml sample). I could not find an information about what subunit of LH these tests are detecting, my understanding it is beta-subunit of LH which is nearly identical in structure to beta-subunit of HCG. Beta-HCG, however, has about 30 additional amino acids, so home pregnancy tests designed to pick up beta-HCG only, while home ovulation tests will pick up both. After ovulation and during pregnancy LH levels are down, so in my opinion you can easily use you LH leftover test to monitor HCG levels, at least to see how it doubles, for example.
Another observation for FRER, these tests tend to get darker with time. If your HCG levels are expected to be below or around the threshold (like day 6 post IVF transfer or so), and the test line does not show up, I suggest you keep the test for another 24 h and you may see faint positive later.
For those users, who claim about "false" positive FRER results. As my experiments with my husband's urine proved, if you do not have HCG, the test will be clear negative - no test line at all, only control line. If you see faint positive, which lately with another test disappeared, or if your period came, that means you had so called chemical pregnancy. It might be devastating, I understand, we had a chemical with our first failed IVF cycle. But this is a drawback of using very sensitive test, so just be prepared.
To summarize my experiment: FRER is very sensitive, it shows faint positive even below claimed threshold, however good positive results are at about 20 mU/ml, or your first day of missed period. I give only 4 stars for these tests because of the idiotic curved handle - it is completely unnecessary design, makes it difficult to lay flat, and takes more space in the drawer if you want to keep the used test for future reference.
4.0 out of 5 stars FRER sensitivity - checked with precise HCG concentrations
By Karelia on June 3, 2017
I decided to post some data about this FRER sensitivity for those of you who are like me wonders how the test reflects the actual HCG concentrations. I made serial dilutions of human recombinant HCG (Novarel), that I had some leftovers of after my IVF cycle. The dilutions were made with lab pipets, so the concentration should be pretty precise, and in the appropriate buffer (sorry for the details, that was my husband's urine) to model the amount of HCG in the urine for the test. Here are results (see photos attached too).
At 5 mU/ml, which is below the threshold of 6 mU/ml ( the sensitivity, claimed by the brand), the test is very-very faint. However, I would consider it positive, because just husband's urine only gives no second line at all (I do not have photo for this, we did it some time ago with our first unsuccessful transfer, when I had chemical pregnancy). 5 mU/ml in your first morning urine is equal about 10-15 mU/ml in blood, so this is comparable to 5-4 days before your missed period. Also, compare the 5 mU/ml results with my actual results for 8 days post transfer of 6-day blastocyst (last picture), two days later at 10dpt I had blood beta-HCG level of 38.
At 20 mU/ml we can see clear positive results. This is HCG level that you will have at your first day of missed period, and equals to about 40-60 mU/ml of beta-HCG in blood.
And only at 100 mU/ml we see the second line at the same brightness as the control line. I would say at this HCG level the FRER test reaches it's saturation point.
Also, I found out that you may use LH tests (used for ovulation detection) instead of HCG for the early results. LH tests are very sensitive, looks like even more sensitive than FRER (you can see how much darker the test line is for the 5 mU/ml sample). I could not find an information about what subunit of LH these tests are detecting, my understanding it is beta-subunit of LH which is nearly identical in structure to beta-subunit of HCG. Beta-HCG, however, has about 30 additional amino acids, so home pregnancy tests designed to pick up beta-HCG only, while home ovulation tests will pick up both. After ovulation and during pregnancy LH levels are down, so in my opinion you can easily use you LH leftover test to monitor HCG levels, at least to see how it doubles, for example.
Another observation for FRER, these tests tend to get darker with time. If your HCG levels are expected to be below or around the threshold (like day 6 post IVF transfer or so), and the test line does not show up, I suggest you keep the test for another 24 h and you may see faint positive later.
For those users, who claim about "false" positive FRER results. As my experiments with my husband's urine proved, if you do not have HCG, the test will be clear negative - no test line at all, only control line. If you see faint positive, which lately with another test disappeared, or if your period came, that means you had so called chemical pregnancy. It might be devastating, I understand, we had a chemical with our first failed IVF cycle. But this is a drawback of using very sensitive test, so just be prepared.
To summarize my experiment: FRER is very sensitive, it shows faint positive even below claimed threshold, however good positive results are at about 20 mU/ml, or your first day of missed period. I give only 4 stars for these tests because of the idiotic curved handle - it is completely unnecessary design, makes it difficult to lay flat, and takes more space in the drawer if you want to keep the used test for future reference.
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2022
Accurate, easy to use and easy to read.
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2022
Definitely accurate I’m 32 weeks now
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2022
This works! I’m pregnant!
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2022
It came ahead of schedule, easy to use and accurate. Per my girl
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2022
Convenient to buy online when you can’t/don’t want to leave the house. Easy to use, easy to read, great quality.
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2022
Reviewing mostly so I can show the other obsessive testers what our FRERs looked like at each beta. I know how much I valued that information from others a week ago. We got our first FRER positive at 4.5 days past 5 day frozen embryo transfer. It was incredibly faint, but definitely there. These tests have to be super sensitive because I’m confident (based on our 11.5 dpt beta) that our 4.5 dpt number had to be incredibly low. I always took a Wondfo cheap test at the same time and they *generally* showed the same trend but they were often erratic and scary. Some days they showed more progression than the FRER and other days they showed less. The FRER line steadily darkened while the Wondfo line was barely visible until day 9 or 10, then bounced around a bit. Thankful for FRER! Best of luck and baby dust to all of you!
5.0 out of 5 stars Accurate, reliable & early
By Ross Christensen on June 20, 2022
Reviewing mostly so I can show the other obsessive testers what our FRERs looked like at each beta. I know how much I valued that information from others a week ago. We got our first FRER positive at 4.5 days past 5 day frozen embryo transfer. It was incredibly faint, but definitely there. These tests have to be super sensitive because I’m confident (based on our 11.5 dpt beta) that our 4.5 dpt number had to be incredibly low. I always took a Wondfo cheap test at the same time and they *generally* showed the same trend but they were often erratic and scary. Some days they showed more progression than the FRER and other days they showed less. The FRER line steadily darkened while the Wondfo line was barely visible until day 9 or 10, then bounced around a bit. Thankful for FRER! Best of luck and baby dust to all of you!
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2022
First response has never done me wrong
Top reviews from other countries
5.0 out of 5 stars My favourite trusted brand
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2016
I love these tests, they are very accurate and I have used LOADS of different brands over the years. I really recomend using FR if you are testing before your period is due. I'm not sure about the 6 days early claim but I got my BFP at 12DPO and it wasn't showing on the cheaper brand I was using on the same day. I think every woman is different because the egg can implant later or earlier in different women. This will show a clear result though, even if the line is faint.
1.0 out of 5 stars Not 3 packs as per the title but one pack of 3
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2019
It states 3 packs but it means 3 tests in one pack, so not good value for money.
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 13, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Ottimo prodotto! Semplice da utilizzare e accurato👍🏻
Reviewed in Italy on September 13, 2022
Arrivato nei tempi prestabiliti ed intatto. 3 tests all'interno confezionati singolarmente. Le istruzioni sono facili e il suo utilizzo davvero immediato. Io senza ombra di dubbio sono riuscita a capire l'assenza della doppia linea rispetto il suo anche minimo accenno . Inoltre essendo un test precoce aiuta tante donne che stanno cercando con tutto il cuore una gravidanza a viverla in maniera meno ansiosa senza dover per forza aspettare l'arrivo del ciclo. Quindi consiglio questo prodotto ed auguro il bene ad ogni donna che è in cerca di un bambino !! PS: in Italia la APP non funziona , ma non è un problema dato che già dal test in se si capisce subito l'esito
5.0 out of 5 stars No falla
Reviewed in Spain on January 28, 2019
No falla y detecta el embarazo muy pronto, tan sólo 9 días después de ovular. Y si es negativo, se queda blanco nuclear, sin ningún tipo de línea de evaporación.