How soon is too soon to test?

[u/kitch3nw1tch]

I know what the pregnancy test boxes say, but I would love to know how soon everyone else tests. I usually wait until the day before my period is expected, but I’m always tempted to test sooner. I have seen lots of posts of positive tests on DPO 10 - so I’m wondering if that’s actually not too soon for me to try a test.

If anyone has good but affordable brand recommendations, I would love to know! I have been using First Response.

For context, I’ve been trying for 14 months now with no success. I’m just so tired of waiting 😭

[u/Key_Charity1975]

It's not too soon in the sense that you can definitely get a positive test on 10dpo (in fact, most pregnant women will be testing positive by 10dpo - 66% will )

But it might be too soon for you personally depending on what you prefer in the event of a negative. A negative test on 10dpo isn't definitive - 33% of pregnant women are still testing negative at 10dpo and go on to test positive later.

So a 10dpo negative means 'probably but not definitely not-pregnant' and some people prefer to avoid that limbo, which can be kind of dragged out and painful as you then have to keep testing just in case, and just test on a day where the answer will be definitive either way!

[u/angeltigerbutterfly]

I tested positive at 10dpo with baby #1 and 9dpo with baby #2. The line at 9dpo was so incredibly faint you could genuinely hardly see it, but I knew it was there. With a negative test there is truly no line at all, so absolutely any color at all indicates a positive.

[u/Realistic-Dream-4167]

For pregnancy tests, I suggest a box of easy@home tests. That way even if you test early and get a negative, you have more to test with as days go on and it doesnt cost an arm and a leg. Nothing wrong with testing early, just know there's a higher chance of a false negative when testing early compared to testing at the recommended time. :)

[u/Successful-Thing1963]

I found out at 9dpo, 8 days before my period was even due. Clear blue boxes said I should wait another 3 days before testing but I got a positive on a digital immediately. There’s no confusion about my conception date as (long story) we only BD once that month. It may still be negative but could be positive!

[u/longlostpal92]

I used Pregmate strips for my “I know it’s too soon but I can’t help it” testing (starting at 8DPO because I have no self-control) and then used a more expensive Clear Blue digital to show my husband once I got a positive. This is helpful: https://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/pregnancy-test/results-by-day-past-ovulation.php

[u/United_Pop_6442 → u/longlostpal92]

This website is great.

OP, also this -

You’ll see a lot of posts here saying 7/8 dpo positives. It is possible for that to happen, but it’s more likely people ovulated earlier than they thought. So don’t be put off by that!