Are Home Pregnancy Tests A Foolproof Indicator Of Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the body produces human chorionic gonadotropin , which can be detected in the urine. A Home Pregnancy Test checks for the presence of this hormone and declares a positive or negative result. While most home pregnancy tests are considered accurate, it is also dependent on the brand of pregnancy test you choose, as well as the timing of the test. Each pregnancy test brand recognises varying amounts of hCG in the urine. Moreover, hCG levels are low during the initial stages, and gradually increase as the pregnancy progresses. In many instances, you may take the test too early or use a less accurate test, prompting a negative result even when you may be pregnant, also called a false negative result. In some cases, certain drugs, medication, or proteins in the body may cause a false positive result. Hence, it is always best to confirm pregnancy by a doctor, via a blood test.
Also Read:
How Long Should You Wait To Take A Home Pregnancy Test
Early pregnancy symptoms show up weeks before your period, but an average waiting period of two weeks is recommended from the date of ovulation, to take a home pregnancy test. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is a placenta-produced hormone that enters the urine, once an embryo is implanted in the uterus. This takes place about 6 to 12 days after fertilisation. hCG levels are picked up by the test, only closer to when periods are due. The ideal time to take a home pregnancy test is a week after your periods are due. There are 90% chances of an accurate result when the test is taken after the due date for the period has passed.
What Is The 2
The “2-week wait” is a term that has been used to describe the time interval between ovulation and implantation, or the approximate point at which a pregnancy test will yield a definitive answer. Many tests available on the market today are able to determine if you are pregnant, even before the date of the expected menstrual period.
Recommended Reading: Best Way To Get Rid Of Period Headaches
Similar Symptoms Of Period And Pregnancy
Before your period is coming, you may have tender or swollen breasts, you may experience headache, fatigue, constipation, acne. All these signs happen to be same or similar to those early pregnancy symptoms.
Table below shows the similar symptoms of the period and pregnancy.
Similar Symptoms of Pregnancy and Period
| Similar Signs |
Sore Tender And Heavy Breasts
Sore, tender, heavy breasts or darker areolas are noticeable pregnancy symptoms, a week before missed period. With rising oestrogen levels after conception, women feel sore, full, and experience acute pain in the breasts. Nipples begin to look darker and feel itchy, tingly or prickly. Then again, these symptoms are not very different from pre-menstrual breast signs, but they will last after you have missed your period too.
Don’t Miss: How To Stop Period Pain Naturally
Come For A Pregnancy Test
If you would rather not wait anylonger to find out if you are pregnant, makean appointment to come see us atPregnancy Care Clinic for a no-cost pregnancy test. Our licensed medicalprofessionals will help you every step of the way, and if the test comes backpositive, we will offer you a no-cost ultrasound to check the viability of thepregnancy and tell you how far along you are.
We are committed to providing a safe and confidential, non-judgmental environment to ask your questions, get the answers you need, and make thoughtful decisions about your future. Our caring and compassionate advocates are here to help and empower you so you can make the best possible decision.
Barrell, A. . Missed period but the pregnancy test isnegative: 8 reasons. Retrieved May 2, 2019 fromhttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322893.php
Mayo Clinic. .Symptoms of pregnancy: What happens first.Retrieved May 12, 2019 fromhttps://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853
When Should I Test
Home pregnancy tests can be very accurate , especially if you wait to test until after your period is officially late. Some tests claim to accurately detect pregnancy up to a week before your missed period, so if you’re experiencing some pregnancy symptoms and are champing at the bit, go for it.
You’re more likely to get an accurate test result if you wait until your period is late, according to the Mayo Clinic, because the hormone that’s detected in home pregnancy tests, hCG, doubles every two to three days after an embryo attaches to your uterus, meaning there’s more to detect in your urine if you wait a few days.
Because this hormone can sometimes take a while to build up, false negative results aren’t uncommon in early pregnancy. It’s much more rare to get a false positive. If you get a positive test result, you are very likely pregnant, or experienced a recent pregnancy loss, and can confirm the pregnancy through a blood test or ultrasound.
Our Health & Wellness newsletter puts the best products, updates and advice in your inbox.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
Also Check: Can You Have Sex With A Period Cup In
I Got My Period A Week Early What Does It Mean
If your period occurs early, then it may be due to non-pregnancy causes like stress or hormonal changes in your body. Early signs of menopause can cause an early period too. However, period that occurs a week early is likely due to pregnancy.
Now its your turn. Do you have early menstruation? Let us know your symptoms and if we could help.
Why Did I Get My Period Twice In One Month
These are some reasons your period started early or occurred twice in a month:
- You have a short menstrual cycle
- You had very stressful weeks or months
- Youve taken emergency contraception
- You have vaginal infections
- You forgot your last period date
- Your birth control pill was not taken properly
- You just started a birth control pill
- You have polycystic ovaries
Recommended Reading: What Does It Mean When You Miss A Period
When Should You See A Doctor About A New Pregnancy
If youve taken a pregnancy test and its positive, go ahead and make your first prenatal visit right away.
At the first prenatal visit, youll get a physical exam and other tests to make sure everything is looking healthy, and youll learn about your pregnancy timeline. Youll also get to talk through any expectations and questions you have about your pregnancy.
Questions or concerns about your symptoms? Our 24/7 nurse line is free for our members and patients.
Positive pregnancy test? Schedule a visit.
How Early Can You Tell If Youre Pregnant
Again, youll need to take a pregnancy test at the right time to confirm your hopes or suspicions. But when it comes to the first symptoms of pregnancy, everyone is different. Some people start to notice changes within a week after conception. Others might not notice anything until they miss their period.
Don’t Miss: Can You Donate Plasma While On Your Period
What Is The Normal Period In Girls
If you are seeing your period for the first time and you are not sure about what is normal, these are some period facts you should know.
Period is the shredding of the lining covering your womb. This lining is called the endometrium. During each menstrual cycle, you will experience bleeding that comes out of your vagina. The first time your period starts is menarche. When your period finally stops is called menopause.
A normal period in girls last about 2 to 7 days and you may experience cramps or pain in your abdomen.
A normal period may have blood clots sometimes. This is because excessive period blood clots may not be broken down by fibrinolysin.
Between 2 of your menstruation is your menstrual cycle. It is important that you chart your menstrual cycle to know if its regular or not.
Within each of your menstrual cycle, it is expected that you will ovulate. Ovulation, which occurs in the middle of your cycle, is the rupture of the most mature follicle with the release of an egg . When the egg is released, it is pushed into the fallopian tube for fertilization to take place.
During this rupture of the follicles, there may be slight bleeding that sometimes occurs in girls. This bleeding is the cause of brown discharge in women.
How To Deal With It:
Youll probably want to invest in some different kinds of bras, which could be larger, made out of cotton, and underwire-free. Wearing a bra to bed might help ease the pain as well. Though your larger twins might look enticing to your partner, make sure you let them know that they are welcome to look, but touching should be kept to a minimum.
If you’re pregnant, your body is working hard to make another human, so you’re feeling tired for many reasons!
You May Like: How To Get Your Period Faster At Age 11
We’re Sorry The Page You’re Looking For Can’t Be Found
It is possible that you used an outdated or expired MedicineNet link or you may have typed the address incorrectly.
Please try searching using the search field above. If you’re not sure of the spelling, type the first few letters, followed by an asterisk.
To help you find what you are looking for, these links may help.
Browse our A-Z Lists:
What Is A Period
A period is the time in a woman or girl’s monthly cycle in which her unfertilized egg leaves her body, along with blood and uterine tissue lining . This normally takes about five days. Periods usually first begin at or around age 12 in the US. They may begin between the ages of 10 and 15, though some may also start sooner or later than this. A period begins Day 1 of the menstrual cycle.
Read Also: How Long After Missed Period Should I Take Test
Take A Home Pregnancy Test
The cheapest, easiest, most accessible way to confirm youâre pregnant is with a home pregnancy test. This form of testing can identify a positive pregnancy result as early as two weeks after fertilization, making it one of the fastest ways to learn more about your situation. Youâre probably familiar with how the little stick you buy at the supermarket or convenience store worksâyou bring it to the restroom with you, urinate on it, and wait for the results.
The test works by looking for human chorionic gonadotropin in your urineâa hormone your body starts to crank out in large quantities shortly after conception. If you test negative on the first try, many pregnancy tests recommend you check again three to five days later. Why? Because hCG can take several days to build up in your body, the first test may accidentally give you a false negative!
This retest is really important. If your first test suggests youâre not really pregnant , you may not know to reach out to your doctor or physician to get the checkups, vitamins, or medications you need to ensure you and your baby remain healthy. If/when you get a positive resultâwhether itâs on the first, second, or eighth timeâmake sure you take the next step by scheduling a medical visit!
Not Your Average Nipples
Another kind of wacky but surer sign of pregnancy is the way your nipples look. If youre pregnant, they tend to stick out more and the areola around the nipple will appear larger.
During pregnancy, your nipples also darken due to hormonal fluctuations, and small glands called Montgomerys tubercles may form raised bumps on the surface of your areolas. Your nipples know more than youd think.
Also Check: When Should Your Period Start On Birth Control
Are Itchy Boobs Or Nipples A Sign Of Pregnancy
The short answer is no. By themselves, itchiness on the breasts is not a documented sign of pregnancy.
That said, some women report breast itchiness in addition to other symptoms.
There are many changes that happen in the breasts during pregnancy, and some of them happen quite quickly after conception. This includes the enlargement of the breasts, which may lead to the sensation of itchiness in some cases.
What are the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy?
A Sign Your Symptoms Indicate Something Else
If you skip your cycle or have irregular periods and youre not pregnant, there could be several other reasons. Some of the most common things to cause a change in the usual pattern can be fluctuations in your weight, hyper- or hypothyroidism, extreme stress and extreme exercise. Some hormonal methods of contraception can also affect your periods. There is a medical condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, where women often stop getting their periods or have irregular cycles.
Its always a good idea to see your health care provider if youre not having a regular monthly period, Giles said. We can do a workup for irregular cycles or for absence of cycles that may include a blood test and a pelvic ultrasound. Its important to get treatment for amenorrhea or irregular cycles to prevent a condition known as endometrial hyperplasia. There are many treatment options to prevent this from happening.
Read Also: Best Birth Control For Irregular Periods
What Causes Spotting Before Your Period
In order to understand what causes spotting before your period, its important to know what is happening hormonally at that point in your cycle. During your period, your body is shedding the uterine lining. Right after your period ends, its time to build that uterine lining back up. The hormone estrogen, which increases starting after your period, is responsible for growing the uterine lining.
Around the mid-point of the menstrual cycle, ovulation occurs. An egg bursts out of a follicle in one of the ovaries, and the spent follicle transforms into a corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone. Ovulation marks a dramatic turning point in hormone levels: estrogen drops, and progesterone increases.
One of progesterones jobs is to provide structural support to the uterine lining. As long as the corpus luteum keeps secreting enough progesterone, the uterine lining stays attached to the uterus. After about 10 16 days, the corpus luteum runs out of progesterone, and the sudden drop in hormone levels causes your period to start.
For the same reason that a significant drop in progesterone causes your period to start, a small reduction in progesterone can cause spotting. Now, youre probably wonderingwhy would progesterone levels drop several days or even a week before your period is due?