Can You Reuse A Pregnancy Test?
A pregnancy test is a wonderful device which is simple to use; you simply pee on a stick, wait for a short period of time, and read your results. Best of all, there are many cheap and accurate options available on the market today!
But, what if, for whatever reason, you want to reuse the pregnancy test? Would that work?
In this article, we will dig deeper into that question and more.
In this article:
- Can You Reuse a Pregnancy Test?
- Why Reusing Pregnancy Test Kits Produces Inaccurate Results
- What Does it Mean if you get a Positive Test Result After Reusing a Pregnancy Test Kit?
- What Pregnancy Tests Can be Reused?
- What are the Signs of Pregnancy?
- The Takeaway
Can You Reuse a Pregnancy Test?
No, a pregnancy test kit cannot be reused.
Reusing a home pregnancy test kit may be an appealing idea if you are looking to save a few extra bucks, however, reusing a pregnancy test stick produces inaccurate results that cannot be used to determine whether or not you are pregnant.
This makes reusing a pregnancy test pointless!
Why Reusing Pregnancy Test Kits Produces Inaccurate Results
At-home pregnancy tests are designed to only show accurate results once.
When the pregnancy test is used, the urine combines with the chemicals within the pregnancy test strip and creates a reaction. A positive result is shown when hCG- the pregnancy hormone- is detected in your urine.
This chemical reaction only happens once, and cannot be performed again with the used test.
Taking the test again will not produce new or different results.
What Does it Mean if you get a Positive Test Result After Reusing a Pregnancy Test Kit?
If you have peed twice on a pregnancy test, and found that your negative result has changed into a positive result, you may be wondering what it means.
The answer is that the result has not changed.
The second line that you are seeing is actually an evaporation line- which is a line that appears after a home pregnancy test becomes dehydrated. It can also appear when the results window becomes wet.
This means that it is actually a false positive result, and does not indicate pregnancy.
We have an article on evaporation lines vs faint positives to help you to tell the difference between a evaporation line and faint positive.
It is important that you disregard any results received from reusing test kits, as they are inaccurate and can set you up for disappointment, especially if you have been trying to conceive.
It is possible for your results to change due to other factors. If you have a faint positive pregnancy test then negative the next day, or a positive pregnancy test thn negative 2 hours later, it may have been caused by other factors, such as your hydration levels.
What Pregnancy Tests Can be Reused?
No pregnancy test strips themselves are reusable, however, there are some digital pregnancy test kits which come with detachable strips- which can make the digital pregnancy test kit “reusable”.
In a digital pregnancy kit with detachable strips, after using the pregnancy test, you would discard the used strip, before replacing it with a new strip for your next use.
Can all Digital Pregnancy Test Kits Be Reused?
It is worth noting that not every digital pregnancy test kit can be reused- in fact, there are only a few brands which have reusable test strips. If you are wondering if digital pregnancy tests are more accurate, you can check out our article: Are digital Pregnancy Tests More Accurate?
What are the Signs of Pregnancy?
If you are considering reusing a pregnancy test determine whether you are pregnant, because you are unable to access another test, there are some signs of pregnancy which could help you to determine whether you are pregnant instead!
These signs of pregnancy include:
- Tender breasts –
Sudden changes in pregnancy hormones are responsible for this particular pregnancy symptom. Alongside breast tenderness, you may also experience swollen breasts, feelings of fullness in your breasts and darkening of your nipples.
- Fatigue
If you are pregnant, there is no wonder that this symptom might be present! After all, you are growing a whole new human inside of you!
So, if you find that you are feeling more tired than usual, then pregnancy might be to blame.
- Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is a common pregnancy sign before you miss your first period.
This is due to the increase in estrogen and progesterone that comes with pregnancy.
- Heightened sense of smell
Heightened sense of smell may sound like some sort of special ability, however, when you are pregnant, it feels far from it!
A heightened sense of smell during pregnancy can mean that you gag at odours that you once found pleasant, such as your favourite perfume or coffee.
Coupled with nausea and morning sickness, a heightened sense of smell can wreak havoc and interfere with your usual daily activities.
- Spotting
When we are trying to conceive and see blood (no matter the amount) can be concerning.
However, a small amount of bleeding or pinkish-brown discharge can actually be a positive sign that implantation- the process that is essentially the “beginning” of your pregnancy- has occured.
This is called implantation bleeding.
- Mild cramping
Alongside implantation spotting mentioned in the section above, you may also experience implantation cramping– caused by the sudden increase in hormones that come with implantation.
Cramping or pain in early pregnancy may also be caused by the sudden increase in progesterone which causes your digestive system to slow down.
This slowing of the digestive system can cause a build-up of gas, which can result in cramping.
- Frequent urination
If you find yourself rushing to the bathroom more than usual, then you might be pregnant!
When you are pregnant, the amount of blood in your body increases. This creates more fluids for your kidneys to filter and more water waste (or urine) to get rid of.
- Constipation
When you become pregnant, your progesterone levels suddenly increase.
This increase in progesterone can cause your digestive system to slow down, which, in turn, can cause build up of gas, constipation and bloating.
- Mood swings
Are you finding that your moods are all over the place?
In early pregnancy, with your hormones running haywire, it is natural to have mood swings.
So, if you are experiencing mood swings, it may be a sign of pregnancy!
- Increase in basal body temperature
If you have been tracking your basal body temperature, then you may notice this symptom.
Following after ovulation, a rise in basal body temperature that lasts for 18 days or more might be an indicator of early pregnancy.
The Takeaway
If you would like to test for pregnancy multiple times, then multiple tests should be used! Reusing home pregnancy tests produces inaccurate results, which could lead you false positive results and ultimately, disappointment.
A new pregnancy test kit should be used each time you would like to test (unless it is a reusable test kit, in that case, just the strip should be replaced!)
So, save yourself the heart ache and order a few pregnancy strips online, or pick up an extra one from your local store.
Why not check out our next article Negative Pregnancy Test Turned Positive After Several Hours?
My name is Louise and I am the Digital Marketing and Administrative Assistant at MyBump2Baby. I have been writing in the parenting niche for over 2 years specialising in fertility, pregnancy, baby and baby name support articles.