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The FAQs on HPTs

Home Pregnancy Test Basics

Unfortunately, you may be seeing what's called an "evaporation line." This is a line that shows in the result window of the test, exactly where a positive sign would be. You should always read the literature that comes with the test and look for instructions on when to read your results. While some tests are no longer accurate after a certain amount of time, others have been known to pick up hCG after a longer period of time than is recommended. You can only know for sure by testing again a few days or a week later. In other words, if you didn't see a positive result in the amount of time that the manufacturer states, you should not rely on that test result.

A woman's intuition is often more accurate than any test. At the same time, a strong desire to be pregnant can send a woman into a constant state of alertness, often causing her to misread impending menstruation signs as pregnancy symptoms. As frustrating as it is, the two conditions often produce similar feelings. Still, if symptoms are present, especially if you've missed a period or had an unusually light bout of spotting or bleeding, you should "act as if" and take good care of your body until you can confirm whether or not you are pregnant.

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