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Do Home Pregnancy Tests Work?

Home pregnancy tests are an easy and inexpensive way for a woman to detect a pregnancy. Home pregnancy tests detect the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG, in the urine to determine if the woman is pregnant. If the instructions are followed correctly and the test is taken at the right time, home pregnancy tests can be an accurate way to detect a pregnancy.

  1. Check the Date

    • When purchasing a home pregnancy test, check the expiration date for the test. Home pregnancy tests beyond their expiration date are much more likely to produce inaccurate results.

    Follow the Instructions

    • Depending on the manufacturer, the testing procedure may differ between home pregnancy tests. Follow the instructions included to determine how the urine should be collected, how long you should wait to read the results and how to read the results.

    Time the Test Right

    • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that most home pregnancy tests are not as accurate as claimed. It is recommended that you wait until the first day of your missed period to take a home pregnancy test. Testing with first morning urine can increase accuracy as HCG will be more concentrated at this time.

    Interpret the Results Correctly

    • The instructions included with the test will provide detailed information on how to interpret the results. Even a very faint positive result indicates a pregnancy. Read the results as soon as the recommended time has passed, but no sooner, to avoid false results.

    Repeat the Test

    • If you are unsure of the result or you received a negative result but still have not started your period, take the test again in a few days. Most manufacturers recommend repeating the test regardless of the result.

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