A pregnancy test strip is a diagnostic tool designed to determine the presence or absence of pregnancy in women. The test consists of a special strip coated with reagents that react to the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman's urine. HCG is a hormone that is produced in a woman's body after conception.
The principle of the test is simple: a woman collects a morning portion of urine in a special container or directly on the test strip. After that, the strip is placed in a container with urine or held under a stream for a few seconds. If hCG is present in the urine, a visible strip appears, indicating a positive pregnancy result. Otherwise, the strip remains uniform or does not appear at all, which indicates a negative result.
Pregnancy tests strips are widely available, over-the-counter, and easy to use at home. They provide women with a quick and confidential way to confirm or rule out pregnancy. However, to ensure reliable results, it is important to follow the test instructions and take the test within a certain time frame after your missed period.