What is an evap line on pregnancy test

You want to see an easy-to-read result — but unfortunately, the reality of taking pregnancy tests is that the results can sometimes be challenging to interpret. Faint lines, evaporation lines, indent lines, and more can put a damper on your pregnancy testing experience. Instead of getting excited about the results, you may find yourself confused or disappointed by a difficult-to-read result.

In some cases, what looks like a positive pregnancy test result may actually be an evaporation line, also called an evap line. Here's how to tell the difference. If you're hoping for a positive pregnancy test, you may find yourself squinting at the test stick, willing two solid lines to appear. And if you wait long enough, both lines may indeed show up— but that doesn't necessarily mean you're pregnant. In some cases, what looks like a positive result may actually be an evaporation line or evap line. So what is an evaporation line?

What is an evap line on pregnancy test

The last thing you need are unclear results. So what is an evaporation line on a pregnancy test? Dye-based home pregnancy tests work by detecting the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin hCG in your urine, says Kelli Burroughs , MD, a gynecologist in Houston. The first line is a control line, which displays regardless of whether you have a positive or negative result. The second line is a test line, and only pops up if you have detectable levels of hCG in your urine. This second line should be the same color as the control line, although it can range from very light to very dark depending on how much hCG there is in your body. An evaporation line is a faint line that appears in the results window of an at-home pregnancy test. It can look very similar to a positive pregnancy test , since it forms in the same place as the test line aka the second line that indicates a positive result. In short, an evaporation line is typically caused by user error. There are a few ways to determine whether that second line on your pregnancy test is an actual positive result or an evaporation line. Take a look at the color of the second line. A faint positive pregnancy test result will usually have the same thickness and overall appearance as the control line. But an evaporation line may be thicker or more blurry, thinner or nearly undetectable, or it may even show up as an incomplete line. Tetrokalashvili shares a few additional tips you can follow in order to reduce the likelihood of getting an evaporation line on a pregnancy test:.

Yes, Pregnancy Tests Can Expire. There's two possibilities: it could mean a positive test result or it could be an evaporation line.

Oh, the dreaded confusion between a positive pregnancy test and an evaporation line. You may already know when to take a pregnancy test and how to avoid a false negative pregnancy test. But do you know how to ensure the second line is a true positive? There are three types of home pregnancy tests HPT : mid-stream tests, dip tests, and dropper tests. For all of these tests, the most important step is reading the instructions first.

It can sometimes be hard to tell whether that subtle, extra line on a pregnancy test is a positive result. An evaporation line or evap line typically appears as a faded streak, while a faint positive pregnancy test result looks like a lighter blue or pink line, depending on the test dye color. Because interpreting your at-home pregnancy test can occasionally be tricky, this article covers evaporation lines and faint positives, tips to get accurate results, and what to do if you don't. At-home pregnancy tests check your urine for human chorionic gonadotropin HCG , a hormone released by your body when a fertilized egg implants in the lining of your uterus. If one line the control line, which confirms the test is working appears on a non-digital test, it most often means you are not pregnant. If your test shows both the control line and a line in the test result window, this typically indicates pregnancy. Pregnancy tests are most accurate when taken after you have missed a period. Some at-home early pregnancy tests can be used to detect a pregnancy up to 10 days before a missed period, but these results are less reliable.

What is an evap line on pregnancy test

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. The second line may be an evaporation line. This line can appear in the results window of a pregnancy test as the urine dries. You can pick up a home pregnancy test at your local drugstore or online. These tests are 97 to 99 percent accurate. But sometimes, the results are confusing. Some pregnancy tests involve two lines: a control line and a test line.

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Related posts. That isn't a lot of time, which makes it easy to go over the limit — especially if you get distracted by your phone, your partner, or another child while you're waiting. Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. Predicting your fertile window can help you know when you are most likely to get preganant. Read this next. Sometimes the test line on a pregnancy test appears faded or faint in color. See Our Editorial Process. What to know about pica in pregnancy. Measure content performance. Image: Angie Ferguson Shutterstock. List of Partners vendors. You can pinpoint the day of your ovulation with greater accuracy using a digital fertility tracker like Mira. While this could mean that you are pregnant, it could also indicate other health concerns.

You want to see an easy-to-read result — but unfortunately, the reality of taking pregnancy tests is that the results can sometimes be challenging to interpret.

Healthline and our partners may receive a portion of revenues if you make a purchase using a link above. This will help to ensure that your hCG levels are high enough to be detected by a pregnancy test. When taking at-home pregnancy tests, several factors go into getting the most accurate result and avoiding confusion. An evaporation line can also appear if the test gets wet. They typically show up after the timeframe where you're instructed to read the results—which is generally from two to five minutes after you pee on the stick. This does not activate the dye in the test, so evaporation lines often appear colorless or translucent. Log In. Measure advertising performance. According to research published in , the average hCG concentration in urine at 9 days after ovulation — around 5 days before a missed period — is 0. Test more than once, especially if you are confused by the results of your pregnancy test. But if you notice the additional line later that day, it's probably an evap line. So set a timer for the suggested wait time right after you take the test, and check the results as soon as your alarm sounds. Measure advertising performance. Check with a healthcare provider if you're still unsure about the results.