When do you use a pregnancy test?

Pregnancy tests are used to detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine or blood. hCG is a hormone that is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It can be detected in the urine or blood as early as 10-14 days after conception. If the test result is positive, it is likely that the person is pregnant. However, it is important to confirm a positive pregnancy test with a doctor's visit to rule out any other possible causes of the positive result.

Pregnancy tests are typically used:

- To confirm pregnancy: If a person suspects they may be pregnant, they may take a pregnancy test to confirm whether they are indeed pregnant.

- During prenatal care: Women who are confirmed to be pregnant may use pregnancy tests to monitor the progression of their pregnancy. This is especially important for high-risk pregnancies.

- To rule out pregnancy: In certain situations, a pregnancy test may be used to rule out pregnancy. For example, a person may take a pregnancy test before starting certain medications or medical treatments that may be harmful to a developing fetus.

It is important to note that pregnancy tests are not always 100% accurate. False positives or false negatives can occur for various reasons, such as user error, certain medications, or medical conditions. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a doctor to confirm a positive pregnancy test result and to discuss further steps and prenatal care.