Do Home Pregnancy Tests Work?

Home pregnancy tests are the most popular and convenient pregnancy tests. They are usually inexpensive, can be purchased from any pharmacy, and women can do the tests themselves. But do home pregnancy tests work? How accurate are they? In this article, we answer these questions.

The pregnancy test works by identifying the placental gonadotropin (the hormone hCG), which is produced by the body when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus in early pregnancy. Home pregnancy tests should be done on morning urine. However, a blood test is still recommended to confirm the pregnancy.

Blood tests are analyzed in the laboratory and even small amounts of placental gonadotropin can be detected. They are thus able to identify pregnancy in its early stages. Usually, women go to the doctor after first taking a pregnancy test at home.

Symptoms of early pregnancy

Home pregnancy tests are performed when pregnancy is suspected. In addition to the absence of menstruation, a woman should also experience some early symptoms of pregnancy, either for a few days or for one or more consecutive months.

The truth is that, according to national health institutes, there can be a number of reasons for menstrual failure, including the use of birth control pills, diseases such as diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome, eating disorders, and certain medications. So what are the early signs of pregnancy?

Nausea and / or vomiting

These typical pregnancy symptoms can begin at any time between the second and eighth week of pregnancy. This is due to the effects of placental gonadotropin. However, it doesn’t always happen, and some women get to enjoy their pregnancy without vomiting.

According to Gallup of the American Pregnancy Association, 25% of women who responded reported nausea as the first sign of pregnancy.

Minor spotting or bleeding

This is known as adhesion leakage. It occurs when the embryo attaches to the uterus 6 to 12 days after fertilization. Some women experience spotting and stomach cramps. However, only 3% of women reported attachment bleeding as the first sign of pregnancy.

Changes in the breasts

Higher hormone levels and changes in the structure of the breasts cause tenderness of the nipples and breasts 3-4 weeks after fertilization. About 17% of women reported that the change in their breasts was the first symptom of pregnancy.

Continuous urination

Increased need to urinate is common during pregnancy. Placental gonadotropin increases blood flow to the pelvic region and thus the need to urinate. This usually happens between the sixth and eighth week of pregnancy.

Exhaustion or fatigue

Pregnant women generally experience fatigue in the early stages of pregnancy due to elevated levels of luteinizing hormone and the body’s efforts to support the pregnancy. This symptom disappears in the second trimester and returns close to the calculated time.

Headaches

Headaches are common during the first trimester of pregnancy. This is mainly due to hormones, stress and the strain on the body caused by the extra weight.

Home pregnancy tests

Home pregnancy tests can be purchased from all pharmacies. These urine tests include a test strip or collection container, depending on the brand.

Follow these steps to take a pregnancy test:

1. Place the test strip in the urine for less than 5 to 10 seconds. If there is a collection container for the pregnancy test, pee on it and place the test strip in the container for 5 to 10 seconds. The test then shows the result of the reaction that takes place between the test strip reagent and the placental gonadotropin.
2. The test may show a plus or minus sign, one or two lines, or other signs or symbols that indicate whether you are pregnant or not. Instructions for use are included with each test.

False positive results have also been obtained from pregnancy tests. In other words, the test shows that the woman has been pregnant, when in reality there has been no pregnancy. This can happen if a woman has had a miscarriage soon after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall, or if she has a pregnancy test soon after fertility treatment.

Notwithstanding the above, if the test shows that you are pregnant, make an appointment with your doctor to confirm the results with a blood test or – otherwise – to find out what is going on in your body.

If you are unable to take advantage of any of these scientifically proven tests, human experience suggests that other types of home pregnancy tests may work, as they also detect a reaction of placental gonadotropin with other compounds. However, these tests have not been scientifically proven to work.

Other home pregnancy tests

Shampoo test

Pee in a plastic container. In another container, mix the shampoo and water into a soapy mixture, which is then mixed with the urine.

If the mixture foams, it should indicate a positive result. This is said to work because placental gonadotropin would react with the shampoo, causing it to foam. However, this has not yet been scientifically proven.

Sugar

Put a tablespoon of sugar in a plastic container and then pour over it a tablespoon of urine. If the sugar clumps, the result is positive. If, on the other hand, it dissolves rapidly, the result is negative. This is said to work because the pregnancy hormone does not allow the sugar to dissolve. However, there is no scientific evidence for this either.

Toothpaste

Put the toothpaste in the container and pee inside the container. The toothpaste should be white because the idea is to see if it turns blue. If the paste turns blue, the result is positive. This is said to work because toothpaste changes color when it comes in contact with placental gonadotropin.

Are Home Pregnancy Tests Reliable?

Absolutely. The results of home pregnancy tests are usually accurate. Only in some situations, such as those mentioned in this article, false positives appear.

Instead, the latter, i.e. other (homemade) home pregnancy tests, are only tests based on people’s own experiences. There is only scientific evidence of official home pregnancy tests and blood tests.

If you have any initial symptoms of pregnancy, you should find out about a possible pregnancy with a test and of course go to the doctor.