Is pregnancy test accurate and what is the best way to use it?

The correct pregnancy test is not the concern of many women when trying to get home pregnancy test. This is a measure that is used quite widely and commonly, so are there any reasons that might affect the results?

What is a pregnancy test?

The pregnancy test works on the principle of detecting the concentration of hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) present in the urine sample. HCG levels are released only and increase gradually when an egg is fertilized and attached to the lining of your uterus - the beginning of pregnancy. Therefore, the hormone HCG is also known as the pregnancy hormone.

Therefore, the pregnancy test or blood test is based on detection of this concentration to determine whether you are pregnant or not.

When the hCG level is 25 mIU / ml or higher, the pregnancy test will be positive, meaning you are pregnant. If negative, not pregnant, the hCG level is less than 5 mIU / ml.

With the activity based on hCG concentration development, are pregnancy test results accurate? And should women have absolute confidence in this result? Let's find out in the next section.

Pregnancy test is correct?

The results of the pregnancy test can be up to 90% accurate. And the fact is that there is no test for pregnancy or contraception with absolute accuracy to 100%.

Because there are many objective reasons that can lead to incorrect results of the pregnancy test. For example, improper use, wrong reading of results, you have a medical condition, effects of medications you are taking, ...

Therefore, it is essential to understand, learn and use properly and properly according to the manufacturer's instructions. In the next section, information on factors influencing “is the pregnancy test accurate?” will be revealed.

Factors affecting the accuracy of the pregnancy test

The time of pregnancy test is too early or too late

Usually, hCG levels can appear in the blood and urine about 10 to 14 days after sexual intercourse and conception  is successful. These concentrations are usually highest by 8 to 11 weeks of age.

Therefore, if you take a pregnancy test earlier than this time, the hCG level is still low now, so the pregnancy test will not detect it, leading to inaccurate results.

If the pregnancy test is quite late, the amount of HCG in urine that is too large is likely to inhibit the test and reverse the results.

Read the results at the wrong time

Most directions for using a pregnancy test take 5 minutes for the test to show. Surely you will be very impatient, but please calm down and try to be patient and wait for the correct time required by the producer, then read the results.

Not sure how to read the results of the pregnancy test

Incorrect reading or misunderstanding of the results is also a common cause of inaccurate pregnancy test results. Therefore, women should make sure to carefully read the manufacturer's instructions on how to read the results.

Use a poor quality or expired pregnancy test

The correct pregnancy test is no longer affected by the type of test you take. Using poor quality pregnancy test strips, counterfeit or expiry date leads to incorrect pregnancy test results.

Be sure to buy pregnancy test strips at major and reputable pharmacies to ensure clear origin. In addition, when buying, you should also check the expiry date of the pregnancy test and anti-counterfeit stamps on the product packaging.

Do not follow the manufacturer's instructions

The dependence or worry of accidentally following the wrong steps to use the pregnancy test also causes inaccurate results. For example, accidentally wet the stick before using it, soak it in urine for too long,….

Use of medications

Medicines such as diuretics, tranquilizers, antibiotics , sleeping pills, etc. can be more or less likely to cause the pregnancy test results to be erroneous. So, if you are taking any of these drugs, consult your doctor about pregnancy test.

Affected by pregnancy complications

Pregnancy outside the uterus, false pregnancy phenomenon also makes false results. At this time, the pregnancy test is positive, but in reality you are not pregnant.

Another unfortunate case is an early miscarriage. And when testing for pregnancy, hCG levels remain in the urine but in reality there is no living embryo.

Using a pregnancy test is easy but difficult, but difficult but easy. Women should always read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before using it. At the same time, in order to reduce the stress and anxiety, it is possible to ask for spiritual support and help from relatives to have a high accuracy pregnancy test.

See more:

Pregnancy after 35: Problems you need to be ready to face

3 days delay in pregnancy and early signs of pregnancy for women to know

Do not get pregnant 12 days late and what women should do