After a missed period, a hormone-detecting pregnancy test can be a reliable way to determine if you are, in fact, pregnant. Urine pregnancy tests, like the ones available at a local pharmacy, detect levels of human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG, a hormone associated with pregnancy. Tests available over-the-counter are usually advertised as 99% accurate, but common mistakes made when administering a pregnancy test can impact their accuracy. 

Expired or Improperly Stored Tests

Urine pregnancy tests normally expire within one to three years of their date of manufacture. Always double check to be sure the pregnancy test being used is still within the recommended timeline. Excessive heat, cold, or moisture can also compromise a pregnancy test, so be mindful of how the test was stored before relying on it fully. If you aren’t certain about the expiration or how it was stored, get a new test for best results. 

Test Timing

The timing of a pregnancy test can directly impact accuracy. If you take the test too early, your hCG levels may not have built up enough to be detected, resulting in a false negative. Additionally, recent intercourse, abortion, miscarriage, or childbirth can impact hormone levels and sometimes lead to inaccurate pregnancy testing. Although some tests can detect pregnancy as early as ten days after intercourse, waiting until after your first missed period can ensure more trustworthy results. 

You should also follow all pregnancy testing timelines as outlined in the manufacturer’s instructions. Removing the test strip from the urine stream or checking the test results too soon can also  impact the outcome.

Other Testing Impacts

Although less common, there are other factors that may affect the reliability of a pregnancy test result. Certain fertility medications may impact your hCG levels and result in a false positive. Irregular menstrual cycles can make it difficult to know if you’ve missed a period and lead to inaccuracies caused by the timing of your pregnancy test.

Interpretation

How you interpret the pregnancy test can also impact the results. Sometimes test result lines are difficult to detect and even a faint second line can indicate a pregnancy. If you aren’t completely confident in your pregnancy test results, you should get your test results confirmed. 

Zoe, A Women’s Center offers free medical-grade pregnancy testing so you can be absolutely certain of your results. Contact us today to schedule a confidential (according to Maine state law) appointment at our Center in Rockport, Maine.