What the test measures
The test looks for a hormone your body starts making about six days after conception and then rises gradually. That's why taking it very early gives an unreliable negative: the hormone hasn't reached a detectable level yet.
How it becomes reliable
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1
From the first day you're late. Before that day, the NHS says a negative can't be trusted.
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2
If your cycle is irregular. At least 21 days after the last time you had sex without contraception.
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3
The time of day doesn't matter. You can test at any time of day; it doesn't have to be the morning.
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4
A negative means “maybe”. A positive is more reliable than a negative. If you still have doubts, test again a few days later.
Afterwards
If you could be pregnant — whatever the test said — and you have pain or bleeding, especially one-sided pain, dizziness, fainting or shoulder-tip pain, get urgent help now.
And then:
- a positive: talk to a doctor or health centre about the next step — whatever you decide, sooner is better
- two negatives and a period that still hasn't come: talk to a doctor
Interpreting the result isn't the app's job; the app only says when it's worth taking.
Sources
Health information, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For your own symptoms, talk to a doctor.
Your cycle, honestly.
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