Many women have been trying to use toothpaste to tell you whether they are pregnant. The toothpaste pregnancy test isn’t working, though.
Anyone who suspects they may be pregnant— for example due to a missing or abnormal period — should use standard tests or see a physician.
Some regular pregnancy tests can be found in pharmacies and some grocery stores or convenience stores. We test in a woman’s urine for levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
Doctors may also administer blood tests, and these provide the most accurate, reliable results.
This article will describe why the pregnancy test for toothpaste is not working, and will explore other options.
What is the toothpaste pregnancy test?
The pregnancy test for toothpaste involves putting a few drops of urine on a certain white toothpaste.
The person watches for any changes in foaming or color after stirring the mixture, which allegedly indicates a positive result.
This is however not an effective way of detecting pregnancy.
If a woman has tried this method and thinks the result is positive, she should either take a standard pregnancy test or visit a doctor.
What is the theory behind it?
Those who use the pregnancy test for toothpaste claim that the ingredients in toothpaste react with urinary hormones during pregnancy.
Then, the reaction should cause the toothpaste to change color or foam. This reaction may however occur due to urine acidity.
Usually, urine is acidic, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Different types of toothpaste have varying acidities.
Researchers tested the acidity of seven whitening toothpastes in a study carried out in 2011. Results showed they ranged from very acidic to extremely basic.
The findings of the pregnancy test for toothpaste that derive from the urine and toothpaste pH levels involved.
The pregnancy test with toothpaste is completely inaccurate. Unable to detect pregnancy.
Standard home pregnancy tests monitor for a particular hormone released by a pregnant woman’s placenta. The hormone is known as hCG.
The placenta cells, like other parts of the body, containhCG including the:
- pituitary gland
- liver
- colon
- certain tumors
Toothpaste is unable to detect hCG. No research indicates that this test is effective.
Alternative options
The pregnancy test for toothpaste does not work but effective alternatives exist.
Over- the-counter pregnancy tests can usually be found at local pharmacies, grocery stores and some convenience and dollar stores.
They can be cheap, and they are provided by some health clinics for free.
Alternatively, a health care provider can check for pregnancy at a doctor’s office or at a community clinic.
Clinics most often use urine tests similar to those available over the counter. Other times, a doctor uses an ultrasonic or blood sample.
Home pregnancy tests
Over- the-counter pregnancy tests are often easy, inexpensive and convenient. Usually results show up within 10 minutes.
These urine tests search for antibodies that bind to hCG, just like the blood test a doctor may use. The amount of hCG in a pregnant woman’s urine increases slowly after conception.
After missing a time a woman should wait about 1 week before taking a home test. If she is pregnant, this will allow the hCG level time to rise, and ensure that the reading is as accurate as possible.
The following factors may affect the accuracy of pregnancy tests over the counter:
- medications
- the timing of the test
- blood or proteins present in the urine
- diluted urine samples
Blood tests
A blood test, usually 6–8 days after ovulation, will detect pregnancy.
HCG has two parts: a subunit for alpha and a subunit for beta. Blood pregnancy tests detect fragments of the beta subunit which are broken down.
Doctors can check for pregnancy using two blood tests:
- Qualitative hCG blood test: This detects whether the pregnancy hormone is present.
- Quantitative hCG blood test: This detects how much hCG is present.
When to see a doctor
Anyone suspecting of being pregnant should see a doctor.
Early prenatal care is important in women who wish to remain pregnant to avoid complications.
Symptoms which might suggest pregnancy include:
- abdominal pain
- vaginal bleeding
- irregular menstruation
- tender breasts
A doctor may use a regular urine or blood test for pregnancy checkups. They can order an ultrasound, as well.
A prenatal care may be given by family doctors, midwives, and obstetricians.
Summary
The pregnancy test for toothpaste is not accurate-it can’t detect pregnancy.
Doctors don’t consider using DIY pregnancy tests like toothpaste testing.
Anyone who suspects they might be pregnant should use a normal, over- the-counter test for pregnancy or see a doctor.
Home pregnancy tests measure how much pregnancy hormone is present in the body. These are available, without a prescription, in pharmacies and some grocery stores or convenience stores.
Those hospitals offer free and confidential research.
