Best Pregnancy Test Strips: How to use Pregnancy Test Strip

Pregnancy test strips are the easiest and most reliable way to detect your early pregnancy, performed as a confirmation in the presence of indicative signs and symptoms. With an accuracy rate of almost 99%, pregnancy test strips are the go-to solution for every woman who misses her menstrual period some days after intercourse.

The reliability of the results of these test strips depends upon the choice of the right product along with the right way to perform the test. Below is a brief guide about the method of the test and the products available in the market.

What is the pregnancy test strips price in Pakistan?

The cost for the best pregnancy test strips in Pakistan ranges between  30-50 PKR/ strip. The pregnancy test strip price varies depending on the brand and pack size of the pregnancy test strip kit. The price for test strips also varies for one-time and reusable test strips.

Best pregnancy test strips in market

A wide range of pregnancy strips easy to use at home are available in the market varying in result time, results display, price, or packaging. They may also be categorized based on whether they are disposable or reusable. 

A few of the best easy to use at home pregnancy test strips along with their specifications and price in US dollars, Indian and Pakistani Rupees are also listed here;

• Accu-clear Pregnancy Test Strips

Specifications	Price Per pack	Pros	Cons
99% accuracy 40 test strips per pack 5 min sampling time Give results 5 days before the expected periods date Line display but word display available in app	$13  2880 PKR  1075 INR	Include ovulation strips Less costly	Not accurate for early pregnancy Line display difficult to read Late results

• 1st Response-Early Pregnancy Test Strips

Specifications	Price Per pack	Pros	Cons
Over 99% accuracy 3 tests per pack 3 min test time Detect all pregnancy hormones Line display, written display in app	$12 2658 PKR 994 INR	Easy to read in app Simple line display Sensitive to even 12 centiliters of sample	Can give false negative results

• Pregmate Test Strips

Specifications	Price per pack	Pros	Cons
99.8% accuracy Result time <5 min 50 strips per pack Line display Works 5 days before the due periods date	$15 3315 PKR 1230 INR	Sensitivity for 25miu/ml Good patient reviews Quick results Bulk packing Wider display	Line display may be difficult to read

• Clearblue Rapid Detection with Smart Countdown

Specifications	Price Per pack	Pros	Cons
Over 99% accurate Result time – 1 min 3 tests per pack Word display Detect results 5 days before expected periods	$15 2880 PKR  1075 INR	Gives count down when processing results Quick results Extra wide tip Prevents extra urine to enter the kit	Costly May give error

• Modern Fertility Pregnancy Test

Specifications	Price per pack	Pros	Cons
99% accuracy Line display 6 days before periods detection App to track cycle 4 tests per pack Results under 5 min	$13 2873 PKR 1066 INR	Highly sensitive- 10miu/ml Quick results	Expensive Line display may be difficult to interpret

• Natalist Pregnancy Test Strips

Specifications	Price per pack	Pros	Cons
>99% accuracy Line display Results 6 days before missed periods date 15 tests per pack	$18 3978 PKR 1476 INR	100% packaging neutral Used for family planning Easy to use	Line display difficult to read Not always accurate Expensive

• ClinicalGuard Pregnancy Test Strips

Specifications	Price per pack	Pros	Cons
99% accuracy Line band Results under 5 min Pack of 20	$13 2873 PKR 1066 INR	Individually sealed packed Affordable Quick results Sensitivity-25miu/ml Gives colored lines	Not user-friendly May give false negative results

Choose the correct pregnancy test strip for you

A wide variety of home pregnancy test strips are available in the market. Don’t follow the trend set by others but decide your strip type based on your personal requirements. The deciding factors are;

• Type of the strip: Digital or line display
• Speed of the results: How quickly the results appear
• Cost: Less costly tests can be as accurate as expensive ones. Correct your misconception. 
• Packing: The number of strips per pack can be a major deciding factor if you require multiple testing.
• Sensitivity: Although strip tests are 99% accurate some, may have a higher ratio of accuracy based on their sensitivity, hence the choice is made according to your preference.

Consult a gynecologist to get confirmation about the pregnancy test’s accuracy.

How to check pregnancy at home with a test strip?

Pregnancy test strips are easily available over the counter. They are designed to detect the presence of a hormone, also known as the pregnancy hormone, human Chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). 

The chemical, hCG, is released by the tissues typically present in the early embryo and its level rises rapidly in early pregnancy. 

That’s the secret behind the pregnancy strip tests. They detect hCG levels and confirm the pregnancy as early as 10 days after intercourse.

Most of the strips display two panels, i.e., the test and the control panel. Detection of hCG is confirmed by the appearance of a line in the “test” panel. The line can be faint pink in very early pregnancy and brightens as the first trimester progresses.

hCG is produced and increased in the first trimester of pregnancy but its level reduces as you approach your second trimester.

Fact: Pregnancy strip test result appears positive for males having prostate cancer.

Perform Pregnancy tests at home

If you have missed your menstrual period date and are experiencing other signs and symptoms of pregnancy like breast tenderness, morning sickness, and fatigue, then it’s time for you to perform a home pregnancy test for initial confirmation of your pregnancy.

Also, read about the hidden pregnancy signs.

Method to perform the test

• Get your pregnancy strips over the counter from any medical or reliable grocery store
• Read the instructions properly and make sure the strips aren’t expired or pre-used 
• Place the test strip in your urine stream or urinate in a cup and dip the test strip into it
• Wait for the indicated time (usually 1- 5 min)
• Read the test result and dispose of the used strip properly (if it is a one-time-use product).

If the test line appears, it means the result is positive, congratulations! You are pregnant.

 Tip: Perform your pregnancy test early in the morning as the urine is concentrated at this time, giving more accurate results.

Read: How soon can you take a pregnancy test

Read the results of the pregnancy strip

The possible results on pregnancy test strips are;

Positive: No matter how faint the line is, if it appears in the test panel, chances are that you might be pregnant. 

Read to know the 7 harmful things during pregnancy that can cause miscarriage.

False positive: Rarely, the test strip shows you are pregnant while you are not. It is due to the presence of blood or proteins in your urine. Certain anticonvulsant, hypnotic, or fertility medicines may also indicate a false positive result.

Negative: If you are experiencing early pregnancy signs but the test strip shows no pink line in the test panel, you are probably not pregnant or the result has errors. 

The possible reasons for negative results despite experiencing the symptoms are;

• Performing the test too early after you missed your periods
• Using expired strips
• Taking certain medications like diuretics
• Performing the test after drinking a lot of fluids 
• Errors in performing the test may also produce negative results

Repeat the test after a few days if the early symptoms of pregnancy persist. You can also opt for a blood or urine test as prescribed by your doctor to rule out the confusion.

False negative: The false negative ratio of pregnancy strip tests is as low as nearly 1% only and may occur due to certain medications or other errors.

Other methods to confirm pregnancy

If you are experiencing early signs and symptoms of pregnancy, taking a home pregnancy test is the first step. A positive pregnancy strip test indicates you are pregnant.

In case you suspect the results, your doctor may suggest you take blood or urine tests to confirm the pregnancy.

These are also performed by your gynecologist if the home pregnancy test is positive to rule out any personal or mechanical errors associated with the testing device.

Consult a gynecologist for an accurate pregnancy test and aftercare.

FAQS

What is the correct time to do a pregnancy test?

A pregnancy strip test can be done at any time of the day. However, it is recommended to do the test in the morning as the urine is highly concentrated at this time. Avoid performing the test after drinking a lot of fluids.

How can you confirm pregnancy at home?

Home pregnancy tests can confirm pregnancy by detecting the presence of hCG in urine. These tests are simple to use and involve dipping a test strip into a urine sample.

How soon can a pregnancy test strip detect pregnancy?

Pregnancy test strips can detect pregnancy even 5-6 days before your period’s date. They provide reliable and accurate results from the first day of your missed periods. However, the color of the test line might vary based on the concentration of hCG in urine.

Are pregnancy strip tests accurate?

Pregnancy test strips are almost 99% accurate in detecting hCG, but accuracy can be affected by factors such as testing too early or not following instructions correctly.