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The home pregnancy test purchased at the pharmacy is reliable, provided it is done correctly, after the first day of menstrual delay. These tests measure the presence of beta hCG hormone in the urine, which is only produced when the woman is pregnant, and which increases over the first few weeks of pregnancy.
It is important that the woman does not do this test before the delay, because it can give a false negative, since the amount of hormone in the urine is still very small and is not detected by the test.
What is the best day to take the pregnancy test
The pregnancy test purchased at the pharmacy can be done from the 1st day of menstrual delay. However, if the result of that first test is negative and menstruation is still delayed or if there are symptoms of pregnancy, such as mild pink vaginal discharge and sore breasts, the test should be repeated within 3 to 5 days, as levels of the beta hormone HCG may be higher, being easily detected.
See what are the first 10 symptoms of pregnancy.
How to take the pregnancy test at home
The pregnancy test should be done, preferably, with the first morning urine, as this is the most concentrated and, therefore, contains a greater amount of hCG hormone, but usually the result is also reliable if performed at any time of the day, after waiting about 4 hours without urinating.
To do the pregnancy test you buy at the pharmacy, you must urinate in a clean container, then place the test tape in contact with the urine for a few seconds (or for the period of time indicated on the test box) and withdraw next. The test ribbon should be positioned horizontally, holding with your hands or placing on top of the bathroom sink, and wait between 1 to 5 minutes, which is the time it can take to appear the test result.
How to know if it was positive or negative
The results of the home pregnancy test can be:
- Two stripes: positive result, indicating confirmation of pregnancy;
- A streak: negative result, indicating that there is no pregnancy or that it is too early for it to be detected.
Generally, after 10 minutes, the result can be changed by external factors, therefore, it should not be taken into account, in case this change happens.
In addition to these tests, there are also digital tests, which indicate on the display whether or not the woman is pregnant and, some of them, already allow to know the number of weeks of gestation.
In addition to the positive and negative results, the pregnancy test can also give a false negative result, because although the result is apparently negative, when a new test is done after 5 days, the result is positive. See why the pregnancy test can be negative.
In cases where the test is negative, even when it is repeated after 3 or 5 days, and menstruation is still delayed, an appointment should be made with the gynecologist, to check the cause of the problem and start the appropriate treatment. Check out some causes of delayed menstruation that are not related to pregnancy.
Online test to find out if you are pregnant
If pregnancy is suspected, it is important to note the appearance of characteristic symptoms, such as increased breast sensitivity and mild abdominal cramping. Take our online test and see if you can be pregnant:
Know if you are pregnant
Start the test
In the last month have you had sex without using a condom or other contraceptive method such as an IUD, implant or contraceptive?
Have you noticed any pink vaginal discharge lately?
Are you getting sick and want to throw up in the morning?
Are you more sensitive to smells, getting bothered by smells like cigarettes, food or perfume?
Does your belly look more swollen than before, making it harder to keep your jeans tight during the day?
Does your skin look more oily and acne prone?
Are you feeling more tired and more sleepy?
Has your period been delayed for more than 5 days?
Have you had a pharmacy pregnancy test or blood test in the last month, with a positive result?
Did you take the pill the next day until 3 days after the unprotected relationship?
Do other home pregnancy tests work?
Home pregnancy tests popularly known, using a needle, toothpaste, chlorine or bleach, should not be done because they are not reliable.
To guarantee the result, the best choice to confirm the pregnancy is to do the pharmacy test or the blood test done in the laboratory, because they allow to evaluate the amount of beta hCG in the blood or urine, enabling the confirmation of the pregnancy.
What if the man takes the pregnancy test?
If the man takes the pregnancy test, using his own urine, there is a possibility of seeing a 'positive' result, which indicates the presence of the beta hormone hCG in his urine, which is not related to pregnancy, but to a serious health change, which can be cancer. In that case, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible to perform tests that can indicate your health status and start treatment promptly.