Home Pregnancy Test (HPT)

Home Pregnancy Tests test the presence of a hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) in the urine.

When is HCG produced?

In 90% of the women, the fertilized egg implants in the uterus six days after conception, others may take longer. The implantation results in producing a hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). HCG causes the menstruation periods to stop. HCG is detectable in urine as well as blood.

How accurate are HPT?

Theoretically, the sensitive tests can detect the presence of HCG the day you miss the period. Most of the tests are not that sensitive. Normally, it takes one week after the period is missed to produce sufficient amount of HCG in the urine to be detected. In other words, home pregnancy tests give acceptable results about 2 weeks from ovulation.

If you have missed the period, and the test is negative, repeat the test in few days.

To increase the accuracy, test your urine first thing in the morning.

Always follow the instructions and check the expiration date.

How does HPT differ from blood tests?

A quantitative blood test (Beta HCG test) measures the amount of HCG in the blood. The Beta HCG can test can be used within two days after missing a period. The qualitative blood test detects presence of HCG in blood. The qualitative tests are only as good as the HPT.

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