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EC pregnancy test timing — DFSRH MCQ

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EasyEmergency contraceptionEC pregnancy test timingDFSRH

A 19-year-old takes levonorgestrel EC after condom failure. Her period is not due for 10 days and she asks when a urine pregnancy test would be reliable if she has no bleeding. What would you advise this patient?

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Correct answer: E — Test 21 days after the most recent unprotected sex

The best answer is “Test 21 days after the most recent unprotected sex”. A high-sensitivity urine pregnancy test is reliable 21 days after the most recent unprotected sexual intercourse. Testing the next morning or at 7 days is too early to exclude pregnancy from the episode. A delayed, lighter-than-usual or painful bleed after emergency contraception should also prompt testing and clinical review as appropriate.

Reference: CoSRH/FSRH, Emergency Contraception (amended July 2023): https://www.cosrh.org/Common/Uploaded%20files/documents/fsrh-guideline-emergency-contraception03dec2020-amendedjuly2023-11jul.pdf