What is a Pregnancy Test in Urine?
A urine pregnancy test checks for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a sample of urine.
hCG is produced by cells that develop into the placenta after a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. The level of hCG increases during early pregnancy and can usually be detected in urine shortly after a missed menstrual period.
A urine pregnancy test can provide important information to help determine whether a person is pregnant.
Other names: Urine pregnancy test, hCG urine test, urinary hCG, pregnancy test, qualitative hCG
What is it used for?
A urine pregnancy test may be used to help:
Detect pregnancy
The test can detect hCG in urine and can help determine whether pregnancy is likely.
Confirm a suspected pregnancy
A pregnancy test may be performed when someone has missed a menstrual period or has symptoms that may suggest pregnancy.
Before certain medical procedures or treatments
A pregnancy test may be performed before some medications, diagnostic imaging procedures, or medical treatments that could affect a pregnancy.
Why do I need a urine pregnancy test?
You may need a urine pregnancy test if:
You have missed your menstrual period.
You have symptoms that may suggest pregnancy, such as nausea, breast tenderness, or increased urination.
You have had unprotected sexual intercourse and want to determine whether you may be pregnant.
Your healthcare provider needs to know whether you are pregnant before a medical procedure, medication, or treatment.
What happens during a urine pregnancy test?
A urine pregnancy test uses a sample of urine, usually collected in a clean container.
The urine is tested using a pregnancy test strip, cassette, or laboratory method that detects hCG.
Depending on the test method, the result may be reported as positive or negative.
For some home pregnancy tests, urine can be applied directly to the test device according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?
Usually, no special preparation is required.
For the best chance of detecting an early pregnancy, first-morning urine may be preferred because it is usually more concentrated.
Avoid drinking excessive amounts of water immediately before testing, as very dilute urine may reduce the concentration of hCG and can contribute to a false-negative result.
Are there any risks to the test?
There are no known medical risks from providing a urine sample for a pregnancy test.
What do the results mean?
The urine pregnancy test is usually reported as:
Positive
Negative
A positive pregnancy test
A positive urine pregnancy test means that hCG was detected in the urine, which usually indicates pregnancy.
A positive result should be discussed with a healthcare provider, particularly if there is pain, bleeding, or other concerning symptoms.
A negative pregnancy test
A negative result means that hCG was not detected at the level detectable by the test.
A negative result does not always completely rule out pregnancy, especially if the test is performed very early in pregnancy.
If your menstrual period does not occur or pregnancy is still suspected, your healthcare provider may recommend repeating the urine test after several days or performing a blood hCG test.
Important note
The accuracy of a urine pregnancy test depends on when the test is performed, the sensitivity of the test, and the concentration of hCG in the urine.
Testing too early can result in a false-negative result because hCG may not yet be high enough to be detected.
Certain fertility medicines containing hCG can cause a false-positive result, although most medications do not affect routine urine pregnancy tests.
Prefer to talk to someone first? Contact us to book.
