6 Homemade Pregnancy Tests (and why they don't work)

After unprotected sex, there is always a risk of becoming pregnant, especially if the woman was in her fertile period. After conception, the body takes about 10 to 20 days to give the first signs of pregnancy.

There are some popular methods that women use to find out if they are pregnant, the effectiveness of these tests is not scientifically proven, so the result can be wrong. The only way to know if the woman is pregnant or not is to have a pharmacy pregnancy test or a blood test, both detect the presence of hCG, a hormone that is produced during pregnancy, being the reliable result.

Some examples of home pregnancy tests are:

1. Online Pregnancy Test

A pregnancy test that women usually perform are online tests, these types of tests are developed based on the signs and symptoms that are common in pregnancy, however, these signs and symptoms may occur for other reasons. This test could give you an idea if you are pregnant or not, however, the only way to confirm it is with the blood or pharmacy test.


2. Test with Bleach

This test involves placing water in a plastic container with chlorine or bleach and a urine sample, if it changes color, bubbles or foams beer, it is a possible sign that the test tested positive.

Why it does not work: This test does not take into account the amount of water with chlorine or bleach and can be "positive" using urine from men or women, for this reason, it is not reliable.

3. Boiled Urine Test

Place the urine to boil in an aluminum pot and if it boils (similar to milk), with cream formation or white foam, the test is "positive".

Why it does not work: To boil the urine it is necessary that it is very liquid, due to the consumption of large amounts of water, so it is enough that the woman has drunk more water during the day so that the result is "positive".

4. Vinegar Test 

In a bowl, vinegar is mixed with a urine sample and if it changes color, the result is "positive."

Why it doesn't work: Normally there is no reaction when mixing vinegar with urine because the two compositions are acidic and, therefore, the test is not reliable, presenting the same result in men.

5. Needle Test

This test is performed by placing a new needle inside a plastic container in conjunction with the urine, waiting 8 hours. If after this time the needle changes color, leaving it completely black, the result is "positive" for pregnancy, when this does not happen the result is "negative".

Why it doesn't work:  The more concentrated the urine, the greater the chance that the needle will turn black, but in most cases, it takes more than a few hours for this to happen.

6. Hyssop Test

Insert a clean swab or stick into the vagina until it reaches the uterus and gently rub that region. If the swab comes out clean without any secretion, there is a chance of "being pregnant" because there is no sign of menstruation.

Why it doesn't work:  Hyssop may contain vaginal discharge and confuse the result. In addition to this, the use of a swab can cause a wound in the cervix, depending on how this test is performed.

What is the Best Pregnancy Test

Of all the pregnancy tests that can be done at home, the most reliable is the pregnancy test that is bought in the pharmacy, since it measures the presence of the HCG beta hormone in the woman's urine, this hormone is only produced in cases of pregnancy.

But despite being a confidence test, the pharmacy test may not detect pregnancy when it is done too early or when it is done incorrectly. The ideal time to do the pharmacy pregnancy test is when your period is delayed for 7 days or more. However, from the first day of the menstrual delay, it could already give a positive result. See how this test is performed to get the correct result.