What does the dark and light strips of a pregnancy test stick mean?
In contemporary society, people\’s life pressure has increased and their life speed has become faster and faster. Many women do not know their physical condition before pregnancy, and pregnancy test sticks are born for this purpose. Pregnancy tests can help women quickly know whether they are pregnant at home. However, in actual use, it is found that many people do not understand what the two lines on the small stick represent, which will be introduced in detail below.
What does a deep line mean?
The first dark line is usually a control line that always appears on a pregnancy test. The second line that detects progesterone only appears when you are pregnant. If only a dark line appears on the pregnancy test, it means the test is invalid, usually due to an underlying problem such as improper handling, expiration, improper storage, overnight testing, or testing too short a time.
Sometimes, if there is only a dark line on the pregnancy test stick, it means that the pregnancy may be very short and the progesterone concentration is too low to be detected. It is recommended to extend the test time or wait a day or two before testing again.
However, if the light and dark lines have the same depth, they may be mistaken as having only one line, which is why it is recommended to read the test results clearly within 5 minutes.
What does a shallow line mean?
The second line is the line for detecting progesterone. If progesterone is detected, a light-colored line will appear. The line can be any shade of light or dark, or just something simple and obvious. In any case, the result is that as long as the second line appears, progesterone is present and the woman is pregnant.
Note: No matter how far along you are in your pregnancy, the detection of light lines can indicate pregnancy. In early pregnancy, when hormone levels are not high, the lines may be lighter in color.
How to use the pregnancy test stick
1. Shake the pregnancy test stick and spread the reagent inside evenly on the test area.
2. Remove the reagent cap, align the test area with the middle of your urine, and drop urine on the test area.
3. Wait 5-10 minutes and compare the results according to the pattern on the instruction manual.
Note: For accurate results, do not drink large amounts of water before pregnancy, especially in the hours before the test, because the more water you drink, the thinner your urine becomes and the less likely the hormones will be tested. Also less, potentially leading to erroneous results.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pregnancy Test Sticks
1. Incorrect operation. Read the instructions before testing and make sure you follow the correct steps, otherwise the results may be inaccurate.
2. The test time is too long or too short. If the time is too short, the concentration of acidic substances may not be detected; if the time is too long, the color will darken, reflecting excessive progesterone, and false results may be obtained. Most read results within 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Improper storage orExpired. The verification period is 24 months. If it has passed, then the test cannot be carried out.
Through the above detailed explanation, you should already understand the meaning of the light and dark lines on the pregnancy test stick, right? It is recommended to read the instructions carefully before testing to ensure correct operation to avoid reducing the accuracy of the test results. Pregnancy test stick is a high-tech means that can help women better protect their health.
Summary
Pregnancy test sticks play a very important role in daily life. Pregnancy test sticks of various brands have different shapes and testing methods, but they are all universal. This article aims to let everyone know about the use of pregnancy test sticks, testing principles, frequently asked questions, etc., so that they can be used better. If you have any doubts, it is recommended to contact your doctor in time and make relevant examinations and preparations early. This will not only be beneficial to your health, but also better prepare you for future life planning.
