For those trying to grow their family, every pregnancy test is a rollercoaster of emotions. Often, this experience becomes even more complicated due to mistakes that, although uncommon, happen when we choose to use pharmacy tests. The most common errors are false negatives, but false positives can also occur.

Emotional well-being is a very important factor for the conception phase to be a peaceful moment.

One way to avoid this is by using pregnancy tests with higher sensitivity. Because they can detect Beta-hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) at lower concentrations in the blood, these tests end up being a better option for women trying to conceive, as they reduce anxiety and the chances of incorrect results.

To help you find the best test, let’s talk about how to choose the one most suitable for your journey in search of a positive result.

  1. What is a pregnancy test
  2. What types of pregnancy tests are there
  3. Are pharmacy pregnancy tests reliable?
  4. What is the best pregnancy test

What is a pregnancy test

Every woman with an active sex life, at some point, has considered the possibility of being pregnant. When the doubt arises, the first thing we do after sexual intercourse is take a pregnancy test. But after all, what is a pregnancy test and how can such a simple strip know something that often we don’t even suspect?

For couples trying to conceive, any change in the cycle can mean a pregnancy. Having pregnancy tests at home helps clarify the doubt.

The pregnancy test, as the name suggests, is a test that identifies whether a person is pregnant or not. The mechanism used to reveal this information is very simple and works the same way for all pregnancy tests, regardless of type, brand, or sensitivity. When analyzing the urine, the tests look for molecules of Beta-hCG.

Beta-hCG is a hormone that begins to be produced by the trophoblast (a structure of the zygote that will give rise to the placenta) as soon as the zygote implants itself in the uterine wall1. Since it is a hormone that only appears during pregnancy, both pharmacy and laboratory tests look for molecules of this element in the analyzed sample (urine or blood).

The zygote is the cell formed by the union of the female gamete (egg) and the male gamete (sperm). As pregnancy progresses, the zygote gives rise to the embryo, which will later develop into a fetus.

Pharmacy tests contain specific antibodies for Beta-hCG in their test section. When urine comes into contact with this part of the strip, if Beta-hCG is present in the sample, it will bind to the antibodies, causing a chemical reaction that makes the line change color, indicating a positive result.

It is important to remember that not every pregnancy test indicates a positive with a colored line. Therefore, it is important to read the package instructions to ensure you are interpreting the result correctly.

What types of pregnancy tests are there

There are two main types of pregnancy tests: blood tests, performed in laboratories, and urine tests, purchased from pharmacies and online stores. Both the laboratory and the pharmacy test will look for the Beta-hCG hormone in the sample. The main difference between them is that the blood test is much more sensitive to the hormone than the urine test.

Laboratory pregnancy test

The laboratory pregnancy test is nothing more than a blood test where molecules of the hCG hormone are sought in the woman’s bloodstream. There are two varieties of this test: quantitative or qualitative.

Beta-hCG is a hormone that only exists in the body during pregnancy. It starts being produced as soon as implantation (when the embryo attaches to the uterine wall) occurs and its amount increases as pregnancy progresses.

The blood test to detect pregnancy does not require any special preparation, such as fasting or drinking fluids.
  • Quantitative Beta-hCG: in addition to looking for hCG in the blood, this type of test also measures the concentration of the hormone in the sample. In other words, it reports the amount of hCG in the bloodstream and, based on this amount, it is possible to determine not only a positive result but also approximately how long the woman has been pregnant.
  • Qualitative Beta-hCG: this is the simplest of the laboratory pregnancy tests. It looks for the presence of hCG in the blood. The downside of this test is that depending on the reference value used by the lab, the result can be a false negative or a false positive.

False results in laboratory tests are extremely rare, but we can’t say they never happen. To avoid this kind of situation, it is always recommended to ask about the reference values for quantitative tests before having the test done.

If you are looking for an accurate and detailed result, the Quantitative Beta-hCG is your best option. Famivita offers the possibility of taking your Beta-hCG Test without leaving your home. Just go to the Famivita website, schedule the day and time you want, and a partner nurse will come to your home to collect the material.

The result comes out in a few hours and you receive it electronically. An excellent option for those who want more reliable results without having to leave the house or pay extra for home collection.

Rapid pregnancy test

Rapid pregnancy tests are the most common worldwide. Not only because of their convenience and speed in providing results, but also because they are easily available and cost between R$5.00 and R$50.00 per unit.

All pharmacy tests work the same way: when in contact with urine, the antibodies in the test area of the strip search for Beta-hCG molecules. If these molecules are present, the antibodies specific for Beta-hCG will bind to the hormone, triggering a chemical reaction that will modify the indicator on the test area, indicating a positive result.

In addition to different models in color, size, and ways of collecting urine, there is one factor that sets pharmacy tests apart. Sensitivity to Beta-hCG is one of the main factors when deciding which test to buy.

Most tests found in stores have a sensitivity of 25 IU/mL. This degree of sensitivity can only detect pregnancy after a missed period or when the pregnancy is around four weeks. Even though this type of test is reliable, it tends to have a higher percentage of error, such as false negatives.

On the other hand, the most sensitive tests on the market have a sensitivity of 10 IU/mL, being able to detect pregnancy in fewer days, before the missed period. These tests, although not free from errors, have a much lower rate of false results. The Famivita Pregnancy Test is one of these more sensitive options, making it an excellent option for those trying to conceive.

Are pharmacy pregnancy tests reliable?

Although they are not the alternative that offers the most accurate results, pharmacy pregnancy tests are very valid. Most tests, when performed correctly, have accuracy rates above 99%, meaning they are very reliable2. To avoid errors, it is important to pay attention to some details to reduce the risks of false results.

False negative

  • Low sensitivity to hCG: the test is unable to detect the hCG hormone in the urine because the pregnancy is still at a very early stage and the hormone levels are lower than the test can identify.
  • Irregular menstrual cycle: if a woman has an irregular cycle, she may take the test long before her period is actually late. In these cases, depending on the timing within the cycle, even higher sensitivity tests can give false results.
  • Test error: as with all pharmaceutical products, pharmacy tests have an expiration date. False negatives may happen if the test used is expired or if it is taken incorrectly. For this reason, always check the manufacturer’s instructions and the product’s validity date before performing the test.
Errors in test results are a source of stress and discouragement for couples trying to conceive.

False positive

This occurs when, for some reason, the test detects Beta-hCG, but what is happening is not a pregnancy. This is the rarest type of false result and usually happens due to one of the following reasons.

  • Chemical pregnancy: this is when the zygote (fertilized egg) begins to implant in the uterine wall, but for some reason, the process is interrupted and a miscarriage occurs. Because this happens at a very early stage, chemical pregnancy is often mistaken for a late period.
  • Medication use: some medications may contain high amounts of Beta-hCG or interfere with metabolism, impacting the result. Fertility treatments contain high doses of hCG, so taking them just days before testing can affect the outcome.
  • Diseases: besides pregnancy, Beta-hCG can also appear when a woman has a disease that affects hormone production3. The most common pathologies are tumors, such as those found in cases of breast and ovarian cancer.

Although rare, pregnancy test errors do occur and no one is immune to encountering one. To prevent this kind of situation, there are some measures that can be taken.

  • Use a Pregnancy Test with a sensitivity of 10 IU/mL;
  • Check the product’s expiration date;
  • Read and follow the usage instructions;
  • Read and follow the usage instructions;
  • Check if any medication you are taking may interfere with the result;
  • Take a blood test (Quantitative Beta-hCG);
  • Repeat the test after a few days.

With these simple tips, you can reduce the chance of any error related to the test you chose. However, unfortunately they do not guarantee that the results will be 100% accurate, since there are other factors that can interfere with the test.

What is the best pregnancy test

As we discussed throughout this article, there are many types of pregnancy tests available on the market, all with a good degree of reliability. If we compare all the options for pregnancy diagnosis, the best pregnancy test is the Quantitative Beta-hCG blood test, which has the most reliable method.

The quantitative Beta-hCG test can be performed without a medical prescription and the result is available in a few hours or days, depending on the laboratory.

This test will look for Beta-hCG molecules in a woman’s blood sample and quantify the concentration of the hormone in the sample. This information will not only determine a positive or negative result, but also estimate the gestational age. Therefore, it is the most accurate and reliable pregnancy test.

For couples who wish to confirm their suspicions with a highly accurate test, Famivita allows you to take the Beta-hCG without leaving home. The sample is collected at the time you schedule, and your result arrives in a few hours in digital format.

On the other hand, if you don’t want to wait for laboratory results, there are other excellent options, such as the Famivita Pregnancy Test. With the highest sensitivity on the market (10 IU/mL), it detects the presence of Beta-hCG before a missed period.

Now that you have all the information and tips to choose your pregnancy test, we hope that your next result fulfills your dream!