Choosing the right pregnancy test can be an interesting experience. Twenty different pregnancy tests stare at you from their comfortable perch on the supermarket shelf, all claiming to be the right test for you. Early pregnancy tests claiming to help you know four, even five days before you miss your period just add to the confusion as you read the back of each box. Most sticks look the same, and seem to do the same job, right? You’ll want to read this review of available early pregnancy home tests before heading out the door.
EPT, or early pregnancy tests are able to detect hCG (human Chorionic Gonadotropin hormone) that elevates significantly during pregnancy and is excreted through the urine. These tests require that you urinate onto the absorbent tip of the test, or urinate into a container, and then dip the absorbent tip into the cup. Often, home pregnancy tests are the first way to find out if you might be pregnant, but doctors will usually require that you follow up with a blood test after a positive urine test to determine the actual levels of hCG hormone in your body. The blood test can determine if their are false-positives, and can sometimes determine how far along in pregnancy you might be.
Early Pregnancy Tests are useful in allowing a woman to consider her options if needed, and allow a woman to schedule a follow up appointment with her doctor early on to confirm pregnancy results and begin proper medical care. The first trimester of a woman’s pregnancy is when the fetus’ brain goes through the most development, and proper nutrition and care is important. Also, if there are medical conditions like an ectopic or ovarian pregnancy, early detection can help medical staff as well as the woman safely consider care and options. If a woman is considering aborting a pregnancy, doing so before the 10th week has been found to be significantly safer than one done later on in pregnancy. If you are taking medications that might be harmful to a fetus, knowing early on can also be beneficial so you are able to safely wean off of them if needed.
On the other hand, early pregnancy tests do have drawbacks. Early pregnancy tests have the highest number of false positive and false negatives, and often it’s recommended that you repeat the test (using a new test stick) a week later. Certain medications you may be taking can also cause false readings. In addition, many doctors have seen an increase in miscarriages because these tests detect so early on in the pregnancy. Many miscarriages occur naturally after conception, usually as a period and often going unnoticed by the woman. Most medical professionals will recommend waiting several days after a missed period before testing, or repeating the test one week after an early pregnancy test is taken.
Early Pregnancy Tests vary in accuracy. Because hCG levels rise rapidly during pregnancy, tests that claim they can determine if you are pregnant 4-5 days before you have your period only have a 55%-85% accuracy rate. If you repeat the test or wait until 1 day after your missed period, the accuracy of the early pregnancy tests rises to 90-97% accuracy. At sites such as drugstore.com and eopinions.com, you can find reviews of many of these products. However, it should be noted to read each review carefully. Many people who wrote reviews say that “the test didn’t work.” Medical professionals are quick to point out that for some woman, hormone levels will rise slower, and for approximately 10% of woman, implantation won’t occur until after the first day of a missed period. Hormones won’t begin to show until after implantation. So for some woman, early pregnancy tests won’t be accurate. The best way to determine pregnancy is through a blood test.
Below are a list of commonly used pregnancy tests available at most major retailers and pharmacies. For a complete list of home pregnancy tests, including store specific tests, see “additional links” at the end of this article. Positive reviews and drawbacks are given for each product, as well as prices. Note, no specific instructions are given on how to use the mentioned tests below. Please refer to the insert inside your pregnancy test for proper use and administration of the test.
e.p.t.: Widely known as the #1 test on the market mostly due to it’s advertising as the “error proof test” and it’s track record of 99.9% accuracy, this test comes in two versions. A standard stick that shows a + or – sign if pregnant, and a digital test that shows “pregnant” or “not pregnant.” Results can be verified in as little as one-three minutes. For best results, it’s recommended that you take the test early in the morning, when hCG levels are most likely to peak. You can test as early as the day after your missed period. This test can detect hCG levels as little as 40mIU and have been known to be extremely reliable and less sensitive to false readings. However, the digital test scored higher ratings from reviewers at sites like drugstore.com. Many users found the standard test harder to interpret. Many times on the standard test, the positive or negative result showed very faint, making it hard to determine if it was showing a positive or negative. The standard e.p.t. test can be found for $13.99 for one test, or $16.99 for two tests, and the digital e.p.t. Certainty test can be purchased for $21.99 for one test at most major retailers and pharmacies or on line at drugstore.com. In a clinical trial, e.p.t. came in second to First Response which claimed the top spot.
AccuClear: The least expensive of all pregnancy tests, this test also boasts 99% accuracy when using. This test comes in the standard urine stick test, or cassette test. The AccuClear test can be taken as early as one day after a missed period. A positive test shows in as little as one-three minutes. It is recommended that you take this test early in the morning, when hCG levels tend to peak. The major drawbacks of this test are problems with the control line. Many reviewers who wrote reviews of this product on drugstore.com complained about the control line either not appearing, or causing the actual test results to be very hard to read. Many also complained of false readings on the test itself. Opinions differed significantly on this test. Most gave it either extremely high ratings, or very low ratings. The cost for this test is $8.99 for one test, and $11.99 for a two test pack and can be found at most major retailers and pharmacies.
Answer: This test come in at the middle of the road. Three tests are included in the box and instructions are written in both English and Spanish. This test is taken as a standard urine stick test. The test takes one-three minutes to confirm. The Answer test can be taken four days before a missed period, although it states that in studies done by the test, it detected the hCG hormone levels in 69% of women 4 days before their expected period, in 83% of women 3 days before their expected period, in 93% of women 2 days before their expected period, and in 93% of women 1 day before their expected period. Reviewers on this test varied, and most either loved it or hated it. Those that didn’t like it complained of hard to read positive or negative results and disappearing lines or faint, hard to read lines. Although the package states the earlier the test is taken, the lighter the positive or negative line may be due to hormone levels. The cost of the test won’t set you back much; $12.99 for three tests and can be found at any major retailer or pharmacy or on line at drugstore.com.
First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test: The company claims this is the most accurate pregnancy test and can detect hormone levels five days before a missed period. It also claims it is 99% accurate at determining pregnancy hormone levels on the day of your missed period. This test comes as a standard urine stick test and results can be confirmed in about three minutes. Two pink lines mean your pregnant, one pink line means your not. While quite a few reviewers raved about the fact that if you aren’t pregnant, there isn’t a hint of a second line showing that you might be pregnant, if you are pregnant the second line shows only faintly early on. This test can be found at all major retailers and pharmacies and at on line pharmacies like drugstore.com for $18.99 for a two test pack.
First Response Rapid Result Pregnancy Test: For those who just can’t wait, this is the test for you! A standard urine stick test that can determine if you are pregnant in one minute or less. See results in under a minute on as early as the day of your missed period. Most times positive results showed in as little as five seconds! Results show in one or two lines format and are available at major retailers and pharmacies for $14 for one test and $17-18 for two tests.
First Response Gold Early Result Pregnancy Test: This test also can detect hormone levels up to five days before a missed period. This test gives you an easy “yes” or “no” response and includes a unique “test is working” indicator to let you know the test is ready for use. The First Response Gold claims it uses a “gold technology” that can detect two different types of hCG hormone making it more accurate in determining if you are pregnant. No reviews could be found of this product due to it’s newness on the market. The cost for two tests comes in at around $20, making it one of the priciest tests on the market. However, in clinical trials First Response Tests came in first for sensitivity to hormones and accuracy and may be worth the extra cost.
ClearBlue: ClearBlue offers two different types of tests. A digital urine stick pregnancy test showing “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant” and a standard urine dipstick test showing + or – results. This test can detect pregnancy as early as five days before a missed period. A flashing hourglass on the digital test reassures you the test is working while you wait for your results. In an independent study by ClearBlue, 51% of pregnant women get results 5 days sooner. 82% get results 4 days sooner. 90% get results 3 days sooner, and 95% get results 2 days sooner. Many reviewers loved the digital test, especially the hourglass reassurance, but some complained that when they opened the test they found it had dead batteries. The cost of these tests vary between $10-18 for the standard or digital
test and can be found at major retailers and pharmacies as well as on line at AmericaRX.com. In clinical trials, ClearBlue came in third for accuracy and sensitivity.
Reference:
- Planned Parenthood: www.plannedparenthood.org
