Do Pregnancy Tests Expire? The Truth About Test Accuracy

Understanding Pregnancy Test Expiration Dates

Home pregnancy tests work by measuring the amount of hCG, a hormone your body produces, in your urine. Your body will produce hCG once a fertilized egg implants. Though there are some variations, most pregnancy tests attach antibodies to colored labels that, when present, will bind with hCG when present. That is what changes the line to blue.



The problem is that these antibodies will not remain in the same overall condition over time. That is why your pregnancy test will have an expiration date on it. Most of the time, they last between one and three years from the date of manufacturing. You will find the expiration date on the exterior packaging, usually on the bottom of the box and on the foil wrapper that each pregnancy testing stick contains.

What Happens When Pregnancy Tests Expire?

When a pregnancy test expires, those antibodies are not working properly. In some situations, you may end up with a false positive or, conversely, it may produce no evidence of hCG even though you are pregnant. It is hard enough to understand pregnancy test results. Wondering if it is accurate only creates more worries for you.

Should You Use an Expired Pregnancy Test?

While it will not harm you to use a pregnancy test that is expired, it may also not help. The fact is, if the test expires, you cannot count on it to provide you with an accurate result. That means that positive or negative, you will still need to seek our pregnancy services or different pregnancy tests that are still accurate.

Tips for Proper Pregnancy Test Storage

There is no benefit to using an expired pregnancy test. There is also no benefit to not following the directions, including using the pregnancy test early or not storing it properly. Here are some tips to help you minimize those risks:

• If you use numerous tests, create a first-in-first-out rule. This means that you always use the oldest pregnancy test in your storage first.
• You can remove the test from the box but do not remove it from the foil wrapper until you are ready to use it.
• Store them in a dry location without significant temperature ranges. Poor storage can also impact the test's results.
  

Get Reliable Results at Willow Women’s Center

The best way to get accurate results is to reach out to Willow Women’s Center. Make an appointment with us today to get a free pregnancy test or to inquire about any of our services. We are here to help you.