Lots of people post in our forums, hoping we can tell them immediately whether they or a girl they know is pregnant. It’s impossible to do this online. Some of the symptoms of pregnancy are similar to symptoms of having a period. So there’s only one way to find out for sure whether you or someone you know is pregnant: a pregnancy test.

There are two kinds of pregnancy tests: a urine test, which you can buy at a pharmacy and do at home or have done for you at a health care provider’s office or family planning clinic, or a blood test, which must be done at a health care provider’s office or family planning clinic. Blood tests aren’t done very often because they are more expensive, so even a health care provider will likely test for pregnancy using a urine test.

It is most effective to wait until after a girl has missed her period to take a pregnancy test. If she is more than a day or two late for her period, she can take a home pregnancy test. (It is important to follow the directions exactly to ensure that the results are accurate.) Some newer home pregnancy tests say they can give an accurate result the day a period is due or even a day or two before. She could also go to a clinic or health care provider and get a pregnancy test there. If taking a home pregnancy test, it’s important to read the package insert (the information inside the box) first.

You can find a family planning clinic in your area by using the links for clinic locators, which can be found on our Get Tested page. Or you can call 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) to be connected automatically to the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you or to find other confidential clinics.