Pregnancy can be detected very early, often before a missed period, depending on the type of test used and the timing of implantation.

• Home pregnancy tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which starts to be produced by the developing placenta after the fertilized egg implants in the uterus. Trace levels of hCG can be detected as early as 8 days after ovulation, which can be several days before the expected period

• Some of the most sensitive home pregnancy tests on the market can detect pregnancy as early as 6 days before a missed period by detecting very low levels of hCG

• Blood tests for pregnancy can detect hCG even earlier, potentially within 48 hours of fertilization (early pregnancy factor) or about one week before a missed period

• For the most reliable results, it is generally recommended to take a pregnancy test from the first day of a missed period, as hCG levels may not be high enough to detect before then, and testing too early can result in false negatives

In summary, pregnancy can be detected as early as about 6-8 days after ovulation with sensitive urine tests, and even earlier with blood tests, but the most accurate time to test is from the day of the missed period onward.