Have you ever heard of the bleach pregnancy test? Or the Moroccan test with a sewing needle? Well, these and other topics might come up at some point in the life of someone trying to conceive. So, how do you know if they really work? By trying them! Of course, as a good “trying to conceive” woman, I couldn’t go without doing these tests myself. But let’s talk more about them now:

Bleach Test – The legend goes that if you pour bleach into urine, it will start bubbling like soda, foam like beer, and turn red or orange in color, meaning the test is positive.

Myth or Truth? – Myth! The bleach pregnancy test is nothing more than a popular belief and can only make someone trying to conceive even more anxious. That’s because chemical components in the urine, when combined with those in the bleach, can react and change the color and appearance of the urine, giving the illusion of a positive. There is no scientific evidence that a pregnant woman’s urine reacts with bleach in any special way. Save the chlorine for other uses, like washing vegetables and fruits to improve your fertility!

Moroccan Needle in Urine Test – It is said that if you put a needle inside urine and it oxidizes, in other words, turns dark, the test is positive. If it stays the same color as before, it’s negative.

Myth or truth? – Myth! There is no evidence that pregnant urine in contact with metal can change the color of the needle. In fact, the oxidation of metal can happen with many women, even if they are not pregnant, giving a false hope of a positive. But again, it’s nothing more than another urban legend.

Boiling Urine Test – This one consists of boiling urine in an aluminum container and interpreting the result. If there is a white foam on top of the urine, it’s positive; if it remains clear as before, it’s negative.

Myth or Truth? – Myth! There is no proof that HCG (the hormone exclusive to pregnancy) could cause any kind of reaction that would produce foam when the urine is heated.

Cotton Swab Test – Actually, this test is only useful for telling if your period is about to come. But it basically works as a parameter to see if there are already signs of blood in the vagina on a particular day. It should be done very carefully and hygienically, with well-washed hands and great care when inserting the swab. Be sure the cotton tip is securely fixed so you don’t risk losing the cotton in your vagina or hurting yourself with the plastic stick!

Myth or Truth? – Truth! It works relatively well, but depending on the person’s body, it may be wrong. For example, I’ve seen several cases where the test is negative for menstruation in the morning, and in the afternoon, the period shows up! But let’s say it’s 89.612% effective.

Cervix Test – This is a technique used in medical offices that has been kind of adapted for home use by those trying to conceive. It consists of inserting two fingers inside the vaginal canal in a squatting position, preferably with gloves, trimmed nails, and well-washed hands. In theory, if the cervix is high and soft (like touching the tip of your lips) and closed (like a very narrow dimple), there is a good chance of being pregnant. If it’s low, hard, and closed (like touching the tip of your nose), it would be negative. Remember, this test should be done close to when your period is due. If done in the middle of the cycle, it can help detect the fertile period.

Myth or Truth? – Truth (to some extent)! Normally, the uterus or cervix of a pregnant woman, due to increased hormones, may undergo changes in texture. However, this change can also happen after ovulation, which can confuse laypeople like us, who haven’t studied gynecologic medicine. It’s best to try using this technique only to detect ovulation, if that’s the case. Because if there is an early pregnancy, touching the cervix could cause miscarriage. So, be extra careful!

Still unsure if this cycle worked out? Then don’t waste any more time! Around 5 days after a missed period, it’s already possible to detect pregnancy with a drugstore test or, if you have an irregular cycle like a van with no brakes going downhill (like I do), 20 days after the supposed fertile day would be the perfect time to test.