Who is the pregnancy test for?
For any woman who wants to know if she is pregnant.
How does the pregnancy test work?
From the expected day of the menstrual cycle or even three days before, pregnancy tests detect the presence of the b-HCG hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is secreted by the egg and then the placenta. Conception is accompanied by the secretion of this hormone, which increases during pregnancy.
The test is placed in the urine, resulting in a color change in the test. Its reliability is now 99% provided that precautions are taken when using it. For example, it is recommended to perform the pregnancy test with the first morning urine, which is more concentrated. Of course, you can also do it at another time of the day.
When can you take a pregnancy test?
It is necessary to wait until the first day of the missed menstrual cycle, or even a little before with early tests (however, less reliable). Why? Because tests detect the presence of the hCG hormone, which is secreted by the fertilized egg when it implants in the uterus.
Explanation in a concrete scenario: If ovulation occurs on the fourteenth day of your menstrual cycle (starting from the first day of your menstrual cycle), the egg may have been fertilized around the sixteenth day. Therefore, it will implant itself in the uterus around the twenty-first day. The secretion of the HCG hormone begins on the twenty-third day. The level will be high enough to allow detection between days 25 and 28 (depending on the tests), which is when the next period should start.
How is a pregnancy test used?
Usually, placing the test device in a urine container or placing it under the urine stream and reading the response after five minutes is sufficient. The coloring indicates a certain level of b-HCG, indicating early pregnancy.
How many times do you use a pregnancy test?
The test is for single use.
What is a “false positive” pregnancy test?
A false positive result is when the test tells you that you are pregnant when you are not. It is very rare today. Previously, tests were less specific and could mistakenly detect other hormones besides hCG. Today, the false positive result will be linked to a specific reason: for example, if you are taking medication containing hCG hormone detected by the test (in case of fertility issues, for example). Another reason is miscarriage, for example if there was no implantation in the uterus. This result should be confirmed by a blood test to be sure.
What is a “false negative” pregnancy test?
A false negative result is when you are pregnant, but the test did not detect it. This is more common than false positives but still rare, thanks to the increased sensitivity of the tests. It can only be explained through specific events, such as delayed ovulation, which would have occurred at the end of the cycle. It can also happen if the test is taken too early and the hormone levels are very low. All of this depends on the quality of the test. Anyway, it is important to follow the instructions carefully (take the urine well in the morning, wait the specified time before reading) to avoid false negatives.
