Regardless of whether a woman is expecting a baby with all her heart or is terrified of a possible pregnancy, she wants to know about the presence or absence of pregnancy as soon as possible.
Even in the very recent past, women could not even dream of learning about their "interesting situation" before the delay of menstruation. Fortunately, now it is quite possible thanks to rapid tests.
What are pregnancy tests?
All women have hCG hormone in their blood and even urine, but its level is so low that it does not exceed 5 mlU / ml. With the onset of pregnancy, the level of the same hormone increases rapidly and after about a week reaches 25 mlU / ml. It is to him that various diagnostic tools respond, including cheap pregnancy tests. How does this happen?
Any, even the cheapest pregnancy test is, in fact, a strip of cardboard with a reagent and a control strip applied to it. The first is necessary for the diagnosis of pregnancy and is an antibody that responds to the aforementioned hormone. The second strip is the control, indicating the correct use of the test. Without its presence, it is impossible to assert the reliability of the test.
What types of tests exist today?
Strip tests. These are the very first tests that have appeared on the market for a relatively long time. Designed for use at home. They are a thin strip of hard cardboard with reagents applied to it. To get the result, it is enough to lower the strip into a container with urine, hold it for a couple of seconds and leave it on a horizontal dry surface. The result will appear within 3-5 minutes. These are the cheapest pregnancy tests, and perhaps that is why they are by far the most popular, even though sensitivity is poor.
Tablet. In the package you will find instructions for use, a pipette and the device itself, on which there is a window for urine and a second window for diagnosing the presence of pregnancy. On average, such a test costs from 50 to 150 rubles and has a sensitivity of 10-15 mlU / ml.
Inkjet. Such tests are good because when they are used, there is no need to collect urine. To obtain a reliable result, it is enough to direct the jet to a specific area of the test and in just a few seconds you can say with confidence whether there is a pregnancy or not. The price of inkjet tests varies from 150 to 300 rubles. The sensitivity of such a device starts at 10 mlU / ml.
Digital These are the new generation tests. There are both disposable and reusable. Such tests cost more than all the others: ranging from 200 to 1000 rubles.
How to get the most accurate result
The fact that a woman wants to quickly find out about whether a conception occurred or not is quite natural. Especially if pregnancy is desired and long-awaited. Any means can show reliable results, even the cheapest pregnancy tests, the main thing is to adhere to simple rules, namely:
Since the level of hCG is slightly increased in the morning, it is more advisable to do a test for the first morning urine.
It is advisable to follow a simple diet before using the express test: exclude from the evening menu sweet, too fat and do not abuse the liquid.
Refuse sexual intercourse before using the test.
And most importantly, it should be understood that any test can show pregnancy if enough time has passed. Usually this is the first day of the delay of menstruation, it is by this time that the fertilized egg will have time to attach to the uterus and begin to produce the necessary hormone. Even if you did not see the coveted second strip, and there is a suspicion of pregnancy, do not despair - you can repeat this simple procedure after two days.
What is the difference between cheap pregnancy tests and more expensive
As we have already found out, absolutely all of them operate on a single principle. And the cheapest pregnancy tests, and even the most expensive, respond to hCG. Therefore, there is no significant difference between them. So where does such a difference in cost come from? Naturally, the promotion of the brand plays an important role. The initial purchase price also matters.
But the decisive factor in determining the cost is precisely the sensitivity of the test itself. If a woman needs to very urgently find out about the presence of pregnancy, then, of course, you need to buy those with the highest sensitivity. At a later date, any test is able to show the correct answer. Therefore, there is no point in overpaying.
Cheap Pregnancy Tests: User Reviews
Fortunately, today, with the Internet, you can read the opinions of people who have used one or another test. On various reviews sites, blogs, forums, women share their impressions, even post photos of the tests used, and are recommended by various manufacturers.
As for cheap tests, paradoxically, judging by the reviews, they deserve more trust than expensive counterparts. Women note that they found out about their interesting situation thanks to the means that are worth a mere penny, while the "super-sophisticated" did not show anything.
Can you trust the cheapest tests
And yet, will a cheap pregnancy test show pregnancy? Yes, no doubt, it will. So, to summarize the above. You can safely trust even the cheapest tests if:
The integrity of the packaging is not damaged, the expiration date has not expired.
At least 28 days have passed since the last menstruation.
The test was purchased at a pharmacy, and not in a dubious online store.
Precisely observed instructions for use.