Answer:
by Larry Siegel: (06/05/2004)
Hello and thanks for writing in. There are a number of home pregnancy tests available in pharmacies and supermarkets. I would say that most of them are comparable. There are also early detection tests available as well (these have a greater sensitivity to certain body hormones and can detect them in much lower levels). Most professionals recommend having a pregnancy test done at a family planning or health clinic to make sure it is read properly and that you have an opportunity to speak with someone about the results, as well as to confirm the result of a home test.
With most current pregnancy test kits, the hormone hCG can be detected in the urine as early as 3-4 days after implantation (9-15 days after ovulation), though it sometimes can take longer.
Here are the expected positive home pregnancy test results:
3 days before a missed period: 51% positive
2 days before a missed period: 62% positive
1 day before a missed period: 68% positive
Day of missed period: 74% positive
2-3 days after missed period: 88% positive
If you are pregnant, about one in two home pregnancy tests is expected to be positive 2-3 days before a missed period, and three in four home pregnancy tests are expected to be positive on the day you miss your period. A negative pregnancy test on the day of a missed period is normal in about one in four pregnancies, and within the next 4-5 days most will have become positive.
A negative home pregnancy test result 10+ days after the missed period makes a pregnancy highly unlikely.
I hope this was of some help to you. Good luck and take care.
Larry Siegel
Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team
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