Dollar Store Pregnancy Test: When to Take, Accuracy & more
In this Article
If you’re trying to start a family and sincerely hoping for a positive result, those few moments when you’ve to wait for that pregnancy test result to show up can be anxiety-inducing. The last thing you’d want is a false result to appear on that pregnancy kit. Perhaps, that’s the reason you (and other couples who’re trying to get pregnant) may not think twice before dishing out extra money on a good pregnancy kit and ensuring that you get accurate results. But should you be spending so much on a pregnancy kit if the answer to that life-altering moment can cost only $1?
Yes, we’re talking about the dollar store pregnancy test kits, which cost only $1. The low cost of a dollar-store pregnancy kit might make you question its accuracy, but should you doubt it? The answer might leave you surprised!
What Is a Dollar Store Pregnancy Test?
A dollar store pregnancy test kit works similarly to the drug store pregnancy test kit. The primary function of the pregnancy test kit is to detect the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in the urine. The pregnancy test kits come with instructions on the label, which one should follow carefully to get an accurate result. Some of the kits ask you to pee on them,, and some mention dipping the kit in a pre-collected urine sample to derive the result. You can get the result in just 3 minutes!
Is It Accurate?
The products that we get in a dollar store are certainly not of the highest quality there, so it’s quite natural for you to wonder if dollar store pregnancy tests work, but the good news is that they do. A dollar-store pregnancy kit is just as reliable as the ones that are bought from the drugstore. The sensitivity of a dollar store pregnancy test may vary from the pregnancy test kits available in the drugstore, which are very expensive and can detect pregnancy even before a missed period (as early as 5-6 days to be precise., However, if you don’t mind waiting, you can use a dollar-store pregnancy kit after having missed your periods. A dollar store pregnancy kid claims to be 99% accurate, provided the instructions on it are followed correctly.
When Can You Take a Dollar Store Pregnancy Test?
Once the implantation occurs post-ovulation, the body rapidly produces the hCG hormone. But it might be a little less before your missed period date. Although dollar-store pregnancy test kits are 99% accurate, it is best that you take the test a week after your missed period to get the correct result. According to medical experts, the result tends to be accurate when a woman takes the test a week after her periods are expected.
How to Read a Dollar Store Pregnancy Test
The dollar store pregnancy test kit comes with easy-to-follow instructions on the label cover, making it quite simple for you to follow. An hCG level of 20mIU/ml can be detected using a dollar store pregnancy test kit. While using a pregnancy test kit, you can only get the following three results:
- Two pink lines indicate a positive pregnancy test. Even if it is a faint line, it indicates a positive pregnancy.
- One pink line indicates a negative pregnancy test.
- No lines on the test indicate that the test taken is incorrect. It can be because you wouldn’t have followed the instructions carefully or the test kit may have crossed its expiry date.
What Is a False Positive Dollar Pregnancy Test?
Sometimes it’s possible that a dollar pregnancy test kit might show you a false positive test when you might not be pregnant. This can be due to one or more of the following reasons.
1. A Faulty Pregnancy Test Kit
It’s a rare scenario, but it can happen. All home pregnancy test kits come with an expiry date; if you use an expired test kit, you may get a misleading result. There are chances that you might get two pink lines even when you’re not pregnant. Hence, it’s important that you check the expiry date before purchasing the kit.
2. Chemical Pregnancy
A chemical pregnancy is a situation wherein the sperm fertilizes the egg, but it doesn’t result in a pregnancy. As a result, it leads to a very early miscarriage in the first few weeks itself. During this period, your body produces the hCG hormone, which can be detected by the pregnancy test kit, but it may cause an early miscarriage.
3. Infertility Treatment
Women undergoing infertility treatment may be given hCG hormonal shots to induce ovulation. This may lead to a false positive pregnancy test even 2-3 weeks after the medication. In such cases, the best option is to confirm with a blood test.
4. Ovarian Cysts or PCOD
Cysts in the ovaries are quite common among women in the childbearing age group; usually, these cysts disappear on their own. But, in some cases, they may increase the hCG levels in the body, which may lead to a false positive line. This situation is quite rare, but it may happen with women who have severe PCOD or cysts.
5. Evaporation Line
After the prescribed time limit, the evaporation line occurs when you read the test strip. Generally, after 5-10 minutes, the urine from the test strip evaporates, and that leaves a faint evaporation line on the control line, which may lead to misleading results.
6. Being on a Medication
If you are on important medications like barbiturates, anti-anxiety pills, diuretics, and anti-allergic or anti-psychosis medication, then the hCG levels in your body will tend to rise, causing a false positive line.
7. Incorrectly Followed Method of Testing
If you do not follow the instructions mentioned on the kit correctly, then there are high chance that you’ll get a misleading result. So, following the instructions very carefully and conducting the test accordingly is highly recommended.
If you get a positive test result in your dollar store-bought pregnancy test kit and you doubt the authenticity of the results, then it is best to confirm the pregnancy with the help of a blood test or an ultrasound scan.
What Is a False Negative Dollar Pregnancy Test?
A false-negative test on a pregnancy test kit can be confusing and can lead to stress and anxiety if you’re hoping to get pregnant. But the good news is you may find out that you are pregnant a few days later. The probable reasons for a false negative pregnancy test can be:
1. Diluted or Unconcentrated Urine
Most of the pregnancy test kits mention using first-morning urine, which is the most concentrated and undiluted. But if you consume too much fluid before collecting the urine sample, then the hCG concentration will get diluted in the urine, and you may get a false-negative test result. So, make sure that you use the first urine of the day.
2. Testing Before a Missed Period
This is probably the most common reason for a false negative test. You must take the test at least a week after your missed period to get accurate results. Testing too early will cause a false negative result as your urine may not have enough hCG hormone.
3. Not Following the Instructions Correctly
Excitement and anxiety can cause you to commit some mistakes while following the instructions correctly. This can also give a false-negative test result.
4. Obesity or High BMI
Women who are overweight or have a high body mass index (BMI) tend to have lower levels of hCG in their bodies. So, if you are obese, then it may show false-negative test results for quite some time till the blood produces an adequate amount of hCG hormone.
5. Irregular Pregnancy Problems
Situations such as ectopic pregnancy, chemical pregnancy or an early miscarriage can cause a positive test in the beginning and then a negative test leading to a lot of confusion and anxiety. In such cases, it is highly recommended that you consult your doctor to ensure the test results are accurate. This is because ectopic pregnancy is a dangerous situation that may be life-threatening; hence an early diagnosis will help with the treatment.
6. Early Reading of the Result
There is always a time limit mentioned in the instructions within which you should read the test results. Make sure that you follow the time limit correctly, as reading it early or late may cause inaccurate test results.
If you think you are pregnant and get a negative test result, then please don’t be dejected. It is best to wait for a few days and then check again with a home pregnancy test kit. Better yet, consult a gynaecologist to confirm the same.
What to Expect After the Result
After you take the dollar store pregnancy test, you may consider the following depending on your test results:
1. A Positive Result
Congratulations! So the first sign of being pregnant is there with you; now you need to book an appointment with a doctor and conduct the blood test and ultrasound scans to get a confirmation that you’re really pregnant. Once the pregnancy is confirmed, your doctor will prescribe you prenatal medication, suggest regular check-ups, and ask you to take good care of yourself so that you have a healthy and safe pregnancy.
2. A Negative Result
If you get a negative result, then wait for a few days. If you still don’t get your period, you can take the test again. Depending upon the results, consult with your gynaecologist.
3. Confusing or Mixed Results
If you have tried multiple dollar store test kits and have different test results in each, then it is best to consult a gynaecologist immediately. A mixed test result can be anything from a confirmed pregnancy to ectopic or chemical pregnancy. An early diagnosis will ensure you get the correct treatment.
4. A Repeated Negative Result
If you repeatedly get a negative result and still do not get your periods, then it’s time that you consult your healthcare provider. A negative test result and lack of periods can be due to many underlying health conditions like stress, PCOD, thyroid, hormonal imbalances, obesity, etc. Correct treatment can ensure that your menstrual cycles get regularised.
Don’t doubt the accuracy of a dollar store pregnancy because of its price tag. A dollar-store pregnancy test is highly reliable and accurate, so if you think you’re pregnant, get a dollar-store pregnancy kit to confirm your pregnancy; the good news is never expensive!
FAQs
1. Can you take a dollar store pregnancy test before missed periods?
For accurate results, taking a dollar store pregnancy test the week after you miss your period is advisable. If taken before that, there could be a chance of getting a false negative.
2. How is a dollar store pregnancy test different from an expensive pregnancy test?
Dollar-store pregnancy tests are as accurate as expensive pregnancy tests. The only difference is that expensive pregnancy tests may be easier or faster to read.
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