When to take pregnancy test after an abortion

After an abortion, many people want reassurance that the procedure or treatment has worked. One of the most common questions we hear is, when should I take a pregnancy test after an abortion?

Because pregnancy hormones take time to leave the body, testing too early can give confusing results. Understanding the right timing can help you get a clear answer and avoid unnecessary worry.

Why pregnancy tests can stay positive after an abortion

Pregnancy tests detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin. During pregnancy, the body produces this hormone, and its levels rise quickly in the early weeks.

After an abortion, hCG doesn’t disappear immediately. It gradually decreases over time and this process can take several weeks, because of this, a pregnancy test taken too soon may still show positive results even if the abortion was successful.

When should you take a pregnancy test?

We recommend taking a pregnancy test around 3 weeks after an abortion.

This timing allows enough time for hCG levels to fall so the test result is more reliable. Testing earlier than this can lead to a false-positive result, which can cause unnecessary anxiety.

Using the pregnancy test in your at-home abortion kit

This pregnancy test is different to other shop-brought tests as it isn’t as sensitive, so it won’t pick up leftover hormones that might still be in your system a few weeks later. A negative result will confirm the abortion worked as expected but if it’s positive, you should get in touch with NUPAS.

Before using the test, make sure you read the instructions in the packet to establish the most effective results. If you use this test a few days after the abortion, the result will likely be inaccurate due to the hormones still in your body.