How Soon After Implantation Can I Test?

So there’s a chance you could be pregnant, but you want to take a test to be sure. But how soon after implantation can you test?
Implantation is a key moment in your pregnancy journey.

The fertilized egg (now technically called a “blastocyst”) has traveled down your fallopian tube and attached itself to the wall of your uterus, preparing to grow into a baby.

But how can I know that implantation has happened? you ask. And how soon after implantation can I test for pregnancy?

Let’s find out.

In this article 📝

When does implantation happen?

So, we know what happens at implantation—but when does it happen?

Well, every woman is different, but it typically takes a fertilized egg about 6 to 12 days to make it to your uterus and implant.

If we imagine, then, that you ovulate on day 14 of your menstrual cycle (which is about average for a 28-day cycle), and the egg is fertilized within 24 hours, implantation could take place between days 20 and 26. Quite a wide time frame!

How can you know that implantation has happened?

There are a few possible implantation symptoms that could give you a clue that the fertilized egg has set up home successfully.

For example, you might have some implantation bleeding.

This looks like the kind of light spotting you may get at the beginning or end of your period and can be pinkish or brown in color.

It might also be quite watery if it’s mixed with vaginal discharge.

Other potential symptoms of implantation include:

• Tender breasts
• Bloating
• Light cramping (it can feel like mild period cramps)
• Headaches
• Mood swings

Side note: If any of these symptoms sound familiar, that might be because they’re also common signs that your period is about to start.

That can make identifying true implantation symptoms a little tricky (especially considering that implantation can happen right around the time you’re expecting your period).

Implantation can also happen without giving you any odd symptoms—a missed period might be the first sign that anything has changed.

How soon after implantation can I test?

It’s totally understandable if you’re impatient to take a pregnancy test after implantation bleeding (or any other symptom that’s making you suspicious).

But when’s the best time to take a test?

To answer that, we first need to talk about how pregnancy tests work.

Both a home pregnancy test (of the pee-on-a-stick variety) and a blood test at your doctor’s office work by detecting a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Your body starts to produce hCG soon after implantation, and a pregnancy test will pick up on this once levels of the hormone are high enough.

How quickly after implantation does hCG rise?

Your hCG levels start to rise right after implantation, and they should double about every 48 to 72 hours in the first four weeks of pregnancy.

How many days after implantation can you test?

When to test after implantation bleeding or another symptom depends on the type of pregnancy test.

A blood pregnancy test is more sensitive, so it may be able to detect hCG about six to eight days after conception—in other words, very soon after implantation.

A home pregnancy test, though, might only detect hCG about 10 days after conception—maybe four days or so after implantation.

But for the highest chance of an accurate result (rather than a false negative), it’s best to leave taking a home pregnancy test until at least the day after your missed period.

Yep, even if you’ve noticed implantation symptoms. (We know—waiting is hard!)

➡️ You might also be interested in: 5 Tips for Surviving the Two-Week Wait

Other FAQs about how soon after implantation can I test?

How early after implantation can you test positive?

As we discovered above, it depends on the kind of pregnancy test you take.

A blood test might be able to detect hCG for a positive result very soon after implantation.

On the other hand, you might need to let your hCG levels build up for a few more days after you’ve spotted implantation bleeding to give a home pregnancy test a better chance of an accurate result.

What if I have implantation bleeding but a negative test?

It’s possible that either:

• You’ve taken the test too soon, and your hCG levels aren’t high enough to detect yet, or;
  
• What looks like implantation bleeding could actually be the start of your period.

That said, if you ever notice any abnormal vaginal bleeding or any bleeding in early pregnancy, it’s a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider.

And if you ever need a compassionate ear on your TTC journey, the Peanut Community is here for you.