The test shows a faint second stripe. Weak streak on a pregnancy test forum. What the test responds to

30.09.2019

A delay in your period is always a cause for concern. Whether the couple dreamed of having a baby or, on the contrary, feared an unwanted pregnancy, in any case, they will have to go through a lot of emotions. Fortunately, modern women have the opportunity to independently conduct testing, which will help to confirm or deny the onset of pregnancy even before visiting the doctor.

Even schoolgirls know about the existence of home tests. But even the most modern ones will not give full guarantees. And sometimes the test result is such that it is very difficult to interpret it unambiguously. For example, the second strip on the dough may be barely visible. What to do in this case? Anyway, why does this happen sometimes?

Why do you need a home test?

Let's remember right away: no test is an alternative to being examined by a gynecologist. Whatever your future plans, going to the antenatal clinic is inevitable. But if you are anxious to find out the preliminary result, you can do the test at home.

And for those couples who dream of a child, the striped test can become a kind of memorable relic. Many parents keep such items along with the first ultrasound scans, tags from the hospital, an umbilical clip and other cute little things that remind of a long-awaited event.

There is an opinion that a test with any result must be saved in order to show the doctor in the LCD. This is especially true for those in doubt, for whom the test showed the second strip barely visible. This is a misconception, because the doctor has much more accurate and informative diagnostic methods.

How modern tests work

To understand why sometimes the second strip on the test is barely visible, let's look at how this method of determining pregnancy generally works.

When the egg leaves the follicle, the level of a special hormone begins to rise in the female body. It's called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

If fertilization has occurred, an increase in the concentration of hCG occurs every two days. The level is doubled.

The presence of this hormone can be determined by a blood or urine test. Of course, making a blood test at home is problematic, but every woman can lower the test into a container with collected urine.

The action of absolutely any modern home test is based precisely on the detection of traces of hCG in urine using its reaction with antibodies. The area where the reagent is present turns pink if a reaction has occurred and the hormone is detected. But if the test zone remains unchanged, then there was no reaction.

It would seem that everything is simple. But there are many nuances. It is not for nothing that many women are so worried about the question of why the second strip is barely visible on the test. Sometimes it is so weakly colored that you have to twirl the test in your hands, put it under the light of the lamp in order to understand whether it shows a positive result or is still negative.

Test strip

Today, pharmacies have a good assortment. The test strip is the most affordable option, so it is the most common. However, its sensitivity is low in comparison with analogs.

The reason for the erroneous result may be insufficient saturation of the indicator with liquid or the failure of the test itself.

In the following illustration, you can see what these tests look like and how to interpret their results.

The top strip (1) is a control strip. It indicates the serviceability of the test and should appear in any case. There is a test area (2) below it. The number 3 indicates the level to which the test must be immersed in the liquid.

After wetting the specified part of the dough, it should be placed on a flat surface and wait a minute. The result appears pretty quickly. But it should be remembered that after 10 minutes the picture may change and it cannot be considered effective. For example, on a negative test, both a pronounced and a weak second strip may suddenly appear. If, after a minute after contact with urine, there was nothing like this, the result is still considered negative.

It is not uncommon for the second strip to be barely visible on such tests. Moreover, the first, control line may appear weakly. Despite this, most reviews of paper test strips are positive. The results obtained with their help were later confirmed.

Tablet test

This more complex device has two windows. The kit includes a disposable pipette and sometimes a container for collecting urine.

The principle of operation is the same, but it is more convenient to use such a test. You need to drop a drop of urine into the first window, and then evaluate the result that appears in the second window. Tablet tests are more expensive but are considered more accurate. There are fewer errors, because all materials used are sterile, and the reagent is very sensitive. It happens that the inkjet test also "sins": the second strip is barely visible. The photos with which many women accompany their reviews testify to this. Most often this is due to the extremely low level of hCG. Do not forget about the correctness of the procedure - drip the indicated amount of liquid into the window, which is easy to measure with a pipette.

Testing can be done even before the delay. The tablet test can show the correct result one week after conception.

Inkjet test

It is not necessary to collect the urine in a separate container to determine whether or not you are pregnant with the inkjet test. You can simply place the control zone under the stream. If you are more used to the usual way, feel free to use it.

For convenience, the tip of the dough has a recess, it is convenient to hold it in your hand. You can evaluate the result immediately.

Electronic device

This is no longer just a home test, but an advanced disposable gadget. It can also be used in any convenient way: by placing it under the stream or dipping it into a glass with biomaterial.

There are no stripes on most electronic tests. The result will be displayed on the electronic board. It can be "+" or "-", and some tests notify about the conducted research even in text (for example Pregnant, Yes, Positive, No or No Pregnant, depending on the result).

The most expensive and high-quality tests can tell you the approximate length of your pregnancy.

Remember that, despite its impressive and solid appearance, the electronic test is not a home-use device that can be placed in a first-aid kit and used as needed. This is the same one-time thing as other types of tests.

How to do the test correctly?

Why do women even have to use such items? The most common cause is cycle failure - latency.

On the test, a barely visible second strip may appear even before the special date marked in the personal calendar. Often women resort to home research after unprotected intercourse. In other words, if you have something to fear (or, on the contrary, you really hope for something), you can conduct the test as early as possible.

Most manufacturers recommend waiting for the day on which your period is supposed to begin. Given that the probability of conception is highest about two weeks before menstruation, the period by that time will be very small, but the concentration of hCG will reach the level necessary for home testing.

If you are planning to do a test, there are some simple rules to keep in mind:

It is advisable to conduct research in the morning, immediately after waking up. At this time, the level of the hormone is at its highest.
For collection of biomaterial, only clean, dry dishes can be used. Water ingress will reduce the reliability.
If the second strip on the test is barely visible, the result should be interpreted as positive. But for reliability, the study can be repeated after two days.

Now let's take a closer look at the various situations in which the same test strip can raise doubts.

False positive result

In what cases does the streak appear if the test is performed by a non-pregnant woman? This does not happen often, but it does. Therefore, it is worth studying the issue in detail.

Normally, an increase in the level of hCG to 25-100 mMU / ml occurs only after the onset of pregnancy. Usually the indicator does not exceed 5 units. By the way, tests already respond to 25, and the best ones even to 10-15 mMU / ml.

But a similar effect can be observed with some diseases. The pituitary gland is responsible for the production of this hormone. With a pituitary adenoma, the level of hCG can rise dramatically. Moreover, a barely visible strip can appear even on a test made by a man. Determination of the level of hCG for male patients with this disease is often carried out in a clinical setting.

Certain diseases of the thyroid gland, kidneys, and genitourinary system provoke an increase in the hormone.

Hormone therapy given shortly before the test can cause a malfunction.

As you can see, if a woman has done a test and the second strip is barely visible, a visit to the doctor is inevitable. Even if you are sure that there is no pregnancy, you need to see a gynecologist. All the reasons why a test in a non-pregnant woman may stain are very serious and require a doctor's consultation.

Some women do a post-pregnancy test just in case. Remember that the level of the hormone decreases gradually, and a strip may appear for several days after a vacuum, surgical or medical abortion. If this makes you worried that the procedure was not very successful, it makes sense to do a control ultrasound.

Weakly colored strip during pregnancy

When there are reasons to suspect that pregnancy has nevertheless come, but the test results are ambiguous, a visit to the LCD is all the more inevitable. Especially if you have reason to believe that the period is clearly more than two or three weeks.

When is the second strip barely visible on a pregnancy test? There may be several options.

The test was carried out long before the delay in menstruation. The hCG level is simply too low for the marker to stain well. As in the case of natural conception, and after replanting the embryo, some time must pass. It makes sense to repeat the test after 2-4 days.

Often, the control strip is poorly stained if there is an ectopic pregnancy. This is a rather dangerous phenomenon that requires immediate contact with an antenatal clinic. Speaking of ectopic pregnancy, it is worth noting that it can be accompanied by a completely normal production of hormones. It is impossible to determine the normal or pathological localization of the ovum using a home test.

Decrease in brightness

Sometimes women who already know for sure about pregnancy, for some reason, do the test again. If earlier everything was clear, and then a barely visible second strip appeared on the test, this is also a cause for concern. A decrease in hCG levels during pregnancy can be caused by developmental delay and even fetal freezing.

What if the second strip on the dough is barely visible?

Analyzing the above, you probably no longer doubt how to correctly answer this question. Regardless of the plans, the striped test is in itself a reason for a visit to the LCD. If pregnancy is desired, the doctor will prescribe the necessary tests, additional studies, and consult on any topic. In the case when a woman does not plan to have children in the near future, it is even less worth delaying.

How to choose the best?

Many women with experience with home tests recommend using several different types at once. This increases the information content of the study.

Experts consider the products of Swiss, American and French manufacturers to be the leaders of the modern market, noting that the high price is quite justified. Tests such as TEST for BEST №10, Frautest, Home Test Express are considered the best today.

Many women do not know what to do if the second strip on the dough is barely visible. In the event that the second strip on the test is barely noticeable, it is worth repeating the test or seeking help from an experienced doctor.

Pregnancy can make almost every woman happy, besides, today you can independently determine this condition, it is enough to use a special pregnancy test.

Many girls, having bought a simple pregnancy test, do not know what to do, if the second strip on the test is barely visible, what is the significance of such a result. Of course, it will be possible to go to the hospital and establish for sure whether there is a pregnancy or not, but it will also be useful for every representative of the beautiful half of humanity to find out what exactly this can mean.

Everyone knows that during the manufacture of absolutely all pregnancy tests, the same principle is used, and all of them are of fairly high quality. In addition, it is worth remembering that all tests are very sensitive to the unique hormone gonadotropin, which is found in female urine and is the first sign that a woman is really pregnant.

Absolutely on any test for determining pregnancy there is a special control zone on which one or two stripes can appear, but there are also cases when a barely noticeable second strip on the test. Also, any test differs in a certain period of time after which it is necessary to look at the result obtained.

In almost all cases, this period of time ranges from three to ten minutes. It is important to remember one rather simple rule - after a specified period of time, the test becomes simply unusable and you should definitely not expect a result from it. It is in such cases that the second strip can barely appear on the test, which will mean that the girl is really pregnant.

However, do not even forget for a moment that a pregnancy test should always have exactly two stripes, which should be quite pronounced. Only two stripes that are clearly visible, bright and clear will indicate that the woman will indeed be pregnant and will soon become a mother.

Each test should also include special instructions that will help you figure out exactly how it works and if you believe the instructions, then even a barely noticeable, practically not manifested second strip is a clear indication that pregnancy has occurred. However, this is not always the case, because in some cases even two clearly visible stripes cannot give one hundred percent guarantee of a woman's pregnancy.

If a woman has taken a pregnancy test and one strip appears clearly and brightly on it, and the second is practically invisible, this phenomenon may indicate that this test is not suitable, since it may have a manufacturing defect or simply turned out to be expired.

Suddenly it so happened that the pregnancy test used shows a poorly expressed second strip, then the best option would be to simply make an appointment with a doctor who can accurately determine whether there is a pregnancy or not. Quite often, such tests are invalid, and you should not believe them, because even two strips on the test will not be able to give an accurate result and you still have to double-check the result.

Some doctors are completely sure that if the second strip appears weakly on the test, it means that the woman has an ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, it is best, after such a test, to go to the doctor to make sure everything is in order and whether there is indeed a pregnancy, as the test shows.

It is worth remembering that the most accurate result can be obtained approximately three days after the delay. And before that, the test may show a false (untrue) result, most often the indicator will be falsely negative, that is, if the girl still turns out to be pregnant, the test will still show a negative result.

Also in this case, such an option is possible when the second strip appears barely noticeable. Therefore, we can conclude that such a result, in almost all cases, will be the onset of pregnancy, however, without the help of a doctor, you still cannot do it.

How can such a strip look like? It is necessary to pay special attention to how exactly the second strip will look on the test. Regardless of which manufacturer the pregnancy test itself was purchased from, the two strips should have the same color intensity after development, while being located strictly along the entire width of the tester's control zone. Of course, ideally, they should be not only the same color, but also the same thickness.

However, it is worth considering the fact that in the very early stages of pregnancy, as well as the minimum concentration in the urine of the hormone that determines pregnancy, such a strip will show through very weakly and look quite pale.

A similar situation can happen when too little hCG is produced in a woman's body - for example, this may be the first sign of a threat of miscarriage or that there is a risk of pathology in the unborn baby. First of all, this applies to those girls and women who performed a pregnancy test with a delay not for a few days, but for one or two weeks.

When can there be doubts about the test result? In some cases, the second strip on a pregnancy test may show poorly when a poor-quality test was purchased. If two strips, both the first and the second, show through badly enough at once, then this may be a sign that the test has been stored for a long time in inappropriate conditions, or that the expiration date has already expired.

In the case when the second strip not only appeared very pale, but at the same time looks blurred, and almost the entire surface of the control zone was covered with blurry specks, it means that a low-quality test was just bought and it is worth testing again or just consult a doctor who will help accurately establish the pregnancy.

Do not forget about the psychological factor - quite often women who dream of a child really want to see the second strip, even if it appears very weakly. After all, starting with information on the Internet and consulting with friends who have already given birth, a woman takes such a test indicator as a positive result. Consequently, a woman can simply see the second strip even where it simply does not exist.

For example, if you take a test and look closely at it, you will notice one dark stripe, while the second will be quite noticeable, but it will be of a different shade (perhaps even white). It is a reagent that simply has not manifested itself. This phenomenon can occur when too much liquid gets on the test itself.

That is why, before using this or that test, it is necessary to read the instructions very carefully and act in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions - the test must be lowered strictly to the set level, and the time allotted for obtaining the result must also be observed (it is not necessary to shorten it, so as in this case the result will be invalid).

In any case, a poorly developed second strip indicates that a second test must be performed. There is also a need to seek help from a doctor who will have to conduct special tests.

Today, if a girl suspects pregnancy, she can easily check her guesses at home using a pharmacy test. It is clear that two distinct lines indicate the presence of an interesting position, but how to evaluate the results if a weak strip appeared on the pregnancy test. The test may be defective or expired, how should such results be interpreted?

An important day in the life of a young family

In fact, the device for determining pregnancy is an indicator that reacts to the presence of gonadotropic chorionic hormone in the urine, which is characteristic of pregnancy. This substance is produced by the fetal membranes from the first day after implantation, already in a week it accumulates in the body in the amount to which the test strip reacts.

There are several types of pregnancy tests, but the principle of action is the same for them.
Regular strip strips are considered the most affordable.
There are also tablet and inkjet test systems, electronic devices for detecting conception.
The most accurate and reliable are inkjet diagnostic systems. They are easy to use and do not require a separate set of urine, the test is simply placed under the stream, and then the test results are read.
On all tests, there is a special indicator, which, upon contact with urine, in the presence of chorionic gonadotropic hormone in it, appears as a bright strip, which means that the patient has become pregnant.
HCG values double every 48 hours, starting from the day of implantation. Therefore, by the time a delay is detected, a certain level of this hormone accumulates in the blood, to which the test indicator reacts.
If the hCG content is low, then only one control strip appears on the strip test, but when its level rises to 15-25 mIU / ml, then the second one appears, the test strip.

Sometimes such testing shows a weak strip, which girls sometimes perceive as a strip test malfunction. But there is a perfectly understandable explanation for this.

The truthfulness of the results

Morning is the best time to check

Sometimes test systems give erroneous results, which depends on compliance with the storage conditions and terms, the rules for conducting the study, etc. It is better to give preference to tests from reputable manufacturers, rather than suspiciously cheap strip-strips. The second strip on a pregnancy test may turn out to be weak precisely if the instructions are not followed. The most informative is the first morning urine, which must be collected in a sterile dish or simply put the device under the urine stream.

Tests with a high threshold of sensitivity determine the interesting position most reliably. These include products under the brand name Frautest, Home Test Express, BB, etc. You need to look for sensitivity values of 10-15 mIU / ml on the packaging. It is these tests that will be the most sensitive, they will be able to detect hCG even before the delay and will not show a weak second strip. In terms of convenience, express inkjet systems are considered the simplest. Such tests are highly accurate, and the likelihood of an unreliable result is practically absent.

What a faint streak might look like

It makes no sense to conduct testing a couple of days after intimacy, because it will take at least 5-7 days for the egg to implant, and then it still takes time for the hCG to reach its normal level. With a premature examination, it may turn out that a second white or very weak stripe will appear. Therefore, it is advisable to conduct such studies after a delay.

Each pregnancy test has two sectors - indicator and control. When the required volume of urine enters the control sector, a reaction occurs and a bright line appears. This is a confirmation that the test is working and of high quality, and the research is proceeding correctly. The indicator sector performs the main function - it determines the absence or presence of an interesting situation.

If there is no pregnancy, then only one strip appears, but if the girl will soon be a mother, then 2 strip appears, which should normally be as clear as the control one. If the second strip is light or vague, then it cannot be regarded as a sign of conception. Retesting will be required in a couple of days. A barely noticeable second strip of a grayish tint indicates an incorrect reaction of the device to the urine being examined, therefore such a test is faulty and cannot be used for research.

Is there a pregnancy - how to understand

Eating right is important when planning

Usually, the first suspicions of conception arise in girls after a delay. And if conception is not the first, then the patient may even earlier suspect impending motherhood. Home express systems are intended to clarify the situation. The use of such a pregnancy test usually does not cause any difficulties, because it is simple and understandable for any girl. But within five minutes after the girl took the test, she will receive an exact answer regarding her position. But if a pale streak appears on a pregnancy test, then the girl faces difficulties in accurately assessing the result.

The results of the study are influenced by a lot of factors, so you need to try to exclude them in order to understand exactly whether there is a pregnancy or not. If the second strip is barely visible on the pregnancy test, then it cannot be considered a positive or negative result. The instructions clearly state that the line should be clear and contrasting. In other cases, the express test should be considered invalid and of poor quality, and the diagnosis itself is unreliable. If, during a pregnancy test, a weak second strip manifests itself, then this may indicate a too small content of hCG, violation of the rules for conducting the study, etc.

What a weak streak can mean

The appearance of a fuzzy strip on a pregnancy test can be caused by various factors:

Poor quality product. If the test system has an expired expiration date or was originally manufactured with a defect, then a pale second strip is quite possible.
The diagnosis was made too early. It is clearly stated in the annotation for each test that it is recommended to conduct the study no earlier than after a delay has been detected. It is on these days of the cycle that gonadotropic chorionic hormone will be released in sufficient quantity to be detected. Hypersensitive test systems are able to recognize the presence of hCG as early as a week and a half after fertilization, but the pregnancy test will show a pale streak.
The implantation was unsuccessful. The strip does not appear in full force if the ovum is not sufficiently attached to the endometrial layer, or it has been completely rejected. In such conditions, the hCG content will be too low for a given gestation period. Therefore, a fuzzy second stripe appears, it is pale and, as it were, smeared. If gestation is interrupted, then repeated diagnostics will give a negative result.
Incorrect interpretation of results. Sometimes girls literally rave about the idea of getting pregnant and manage to look out for two strips in an absolutely negative test. Indeed, upon closer examination of the indicator sector, you can see a weak strip on the pregnancy test, it is hardly distinguishable, but still visible. This situation does not at all mean the presence of pregnancy, but only indicates the place of the probable manifestation of the second strip.
Hormone-producing tumor formations. These can be benign or oncological tumors of the ovaries or uterine body, liver and other organs that produce female sex hormones, which leads to the appearance of two stripes on the express test.
Late maturation of the egg. If the ovulatory period falls at a later time, and not in the middle of the cycle, then the hCG level will also accumulate longer, and during testing, two lines will appear, only the second strip is pale.

Other reasons

Any question will be answered by the attending gynecologist

Ectopic pregnancy. If the girl has a clear delay, and on the test the control strip appears brighter than the indicator one, then there is every reason to suspect the patient has an ectopic pregnancy. This condition is very dangerous, therefore it needs compulsory treatment.

In Vitro Fertilization. With such a procedure, a girl is usually prescribed drugs of hormonal origin, which are quite capable of affecting the test results, and in the first gestational weeks on a positive test, one strip will be weak, which is quite normal.

Frozen pregnancy. With such a pathology, a characteristic drop in the level of hCG occurs, which appears on the test as a dull line. If, when tested at weekly intervals, the second line remains the same weak, then the suspicion of fetal freezing is confirmed.

In any case, if the express test showed two lines, one of which is dimmer and more smeared than the other, then such a result should be regarded as false, and after 2-3 days, retest.

The second band appeared during menstruation

There are times when the girl was already delighted with two lines on the express test, she began to make grandiose plans for the baby, and then her period begins. Such clinical cases require compulsory medical participation. Most often, this picture is observed when the ovum is rejected, which had an anomaly or deformity of a genetic nature. Moreover, the girl herself may not even guess about such processes, thinking that just the next menstruation has begun, especially if she is not obsessed with pregnancy and does not use express tests every cycle.

Although sometimes the appearance of a second cloudy strip signals the development of any pathology or complications of pregnancy. For example, this is likely with the detachment of the ovum or the threat of interruption, ectopic conception, etc. All these pathological conditions are accompanied by a characteristic decrease in hCG, which makes the second line on the express test much weaker.

In addition, hormonal disruptions, a one-time fertilization of two female germ cells, or a lack of progesterone hormone can act as the cause of menstruation with a positive pregnancy test result. Progesterone ensures the preservation of the pregnant state, and if it is produced in insufficient quantities, then spotting may appear. Especially often they occur on those days of the cycle, when the girl should have had her period before conception.

What to do with a weak and fuzzy line on the test

If testing gave a positive result with a weakly expressed second stripe, then you should not consider it as confirmation of pregnancy. The most accurate result regarding pregnancy can only be given by a doctor, because when using home express systems, there is always a risk of receiving erroneous, inaccurate data, although manufacturers assure that their products are 100 percent accurate. Therefore, when a second blurry and dull strip appears, it is imperative to be examined by a gynecologist. Usually, to clarify the pathological picture, the doctor prescribes certain diagnostic procedures.

Retesting the test. After the first test, it is recommended to undergo home diagnostics again after a few days (3-4).
Ultrasound diagnostics. It allows you to detect the ovum inside the uterine body through a transvaginal examination. This is possible as early as 6 days of delay. If an ultrasound scan is performed through the abdominal wall, then conception can be detected only at 7-8 weeks of gestation.
Blood test for chorionic gonadotropin. In the blood, this hormone is detected much earlier than in urine, so a blood test helps to confirm conception at the earliest possible date.
Gynecological examination on the chair. With this examination, the doctor will be able to confirm pregnancy from the 4-week period.

If the fact of conception is not confirmed, then the girl will be referred to specialists of a different profile.

How to do a test to avoid mistakes

In order not to face such a problem as the appearance of a second dull strip on the test, girls are advised to follow the instructions for conducting the study. Firstly, testing must be carried out with the morning, the very first portion of urine, because it is in it that the maximum concentration of hCG is observed. Such a test will be the most informative and reliable. If there is a need to conduct a study at a different time of the day, then you should at least not drink a lot of fluids so as not to dilute the urine.

Use the freshly collected urine for research. It is impossible to freeze or simply cool urine before diagnosis. Dip the strip strip strictly to the level indicated on it, keep the test in urine for no more than 20 seconds, and evaluate the results 5-10 minutes after the study. For collection of biomaterial, sterile containers must be used. The test result should be considered positive only when two clear and bright stripes appear.

Many girls probably wondered if the pregnancy test could be reused. Absolutely not. The indicator field of the tests used has already reacted with urine, so a repeated study will not cause any reaction. And if the tests used show the presence of pregnancy, then such results cannot be considered reliable. Better to use a new test.

Despite the fact that pregnancy tests differ in quality and level of sensitivity, the principle of their work is similar. The presence of the fetus is confirmed by a reagent that reacts to the gonadotropin contained in the urine. The procedure itself is pretty simple. It is enough to collect the morning urine (preferably the middle portion) and lower the test there for five seconds. It is necessary to wait for a while and, based on the results, determine whether there is a fact of pregnancy. In the presence of both strips, control and confirmation, the result can be considered positive.

Usually, the instructions for use indicate how long the test must be passed, as well as after what period to see the result. Typically, this is 5 to 7 minutes. After a longer period of time, the test cannot be considered informative. In case of a long wait for the total, the fixture may show a second gray line. This is the place where the reagent was applied, which for one reason or another did not work. The same outcome is expected if the device is overexposed. The result will no longer be interpretable.

If a pregnancy test shows a second weak strip, women wonder if the result can be considered positive? In order to understand why such a development happens, it is necessary to understand the principle of operation. The marks appear as a result of the interaction of the reagent with the hCG hormone. With a positive result, its level is increased tenfold, therefore the color changes and the second line appears. Before using the test, you need to pay attention to what concentration of the hormone this device can calculate. Detailed information is contained in the instructions for use. In addition, you need to consider what the strip looks like and where it is located.

It is important to remember that the color must be intense, clear and close to the control strip.

Reasons for the appearance of a weak streak

Sometimes, the very desired onset of pregnancy prompts women to conduct tests often or ahead of time, which can affect information content. Usually, the timing is indicated in the instructions. It is important to follow all the rules in order to be properly informed.

If a weak streak appears, then there may be several reasons:

The test is carried out ahead of time, the lack of a sufficient amount of hormones causes another weak line. You should wait some time, for example 10 days, and repeat the procedure.
The second strip is barely visible due to poor quality test reagent. You cannot be guided by the data of this device. It is better to turn to the products of another manufacturer.
Sometimes the second line appears, which is due to the darker color of the reagent compared to the control field. It is easy to look at even before starting the analysis.

It is important to take into account that the line of the pregnancy indicator is extremely rich and clear, similar to the control one.

A weak second pregnancy test strip after a delay may be due to late ovulation. Therefore, this color of the reagent can be considered normal. The only reliable confirmation of pregnancy is its proof by ultrasound data. Another reason for the appearance of a weak streak can be considered fetal freezing. In this case, the level of hCG decreases and the reagent simply has nothing to interact with.

Very often, the second weak mark is associated with the attachment of a fertilized egg outside the uterine cavity. To do this, if a long time has passed after ovulation, but the second line is not intense in color, then you can only rely on the ultrasound readings.

A barely traceable second line may be in the case of IVF. Because of this, it is not recommended to perform the test earlier than two weeks after the intended fertilization.

Another reason for a weak second strip can be oncology, in which the level of hormones increases.

A subtle second line is guaranteed if the test is done shortly after an abortion or spontaneous abortion. In this case, the level of hormones has not yet had time to decrease, and the reagent is triggered by hCG.

If there is no confidence in the indicators, and the test has failed several times in a row, then you should immediately resort to ultrasound. Thus, it is possible not only to establish the fact or absence of pregnancy, but also any other factors.

It is important to remember that you should not independently diagnose your condition. No amount of gadgets and sources can replace medical advice and professional research. The experts themselves believe that the test may not show the presence of pregnancy, but a clear, bright second line is always a guaranteed positive result. But even in this case, it is best to secure confirmation of an ultrasound examination. The further course of pregnancy should be entrusted to the supervision of professional doctors.

For many women, the days leading up to their period are the most exciting days. Therefore, even before the expected delay, they go to the pharmacy for a pregnancy test. This is the most effective way to determine your “interesting position” at home. However, this diagnosis has some nuances. If the second strip on the test is pale, the woman is at a loss: does this mean pregnancy or is it not?

Let's figure out why such a phenomenon occurs and how to react to it.

Pharmacies sell all kinds of home pregnancy tests. They differ in the way the research is carried out. To use each of them, it is necessary to study the features of their application.

Among the pregnancy tests are:

Test strips. They are the cheapest means of detecting pregnancy. To use them, you need to take a container into which a portion of urine is collected. After opening the package, the test is lowered into the container to the drawn border for no more than 5 seconds. After that, the test must be placed on a horizontal surface. You can evaluate the result after 5 minutes.
Tablet tests... Their principle of operation is similar to that of a test strip. Only in this case, the test is not lowered into the container, but a drop of urine is applied to its surface using a special pipette. After the substance is distributed over the surface, the result is shown in the second window of the tablet.
Inkjet tests... In the course of their implementation, the strip is placed under the stream for a few seconds. After the distribution of the substance, the result is displayed in a special window.
Electronic tests... They are the most expensive and reliable means of determining pregnancy. Electronic tests work on the inkjet principle. In this case, the main difference is the speed at which the result appears. Some types of tests even determine the expected gestational age.

All tests are designed to detect the pregnancy hormone in a woman's urine. A special reagent is applied to the surface of the dough, which is colored when a sufficient concentration of the hormone in the body is reached.

The hCG level depends on the duration of pregnancy, increasing after the onset of fertilization. Every two days, the hCG levels double. The hormone enters the woman's body as a result of its production in the shell of the embryo-chorion. The first "doses" can be found within a week after fertilization.

In the presence of a hormone in a woman's body, instead of the standard one strip, a second colored line appears.

At the same time, some factors can affect the reliability of the result:

storage and transportation conditions of the dough;
best before date;
research methodology;
the presence of diseases in the female body.

In order to get a reliable result and not see a missing or a second pale strip on the test, it is worth finding out some of the reasons for the manifestation of an ambiguous reaction.

Pale streak on the test if you are not pregnant

Sometimes a woman may see a pale streak on the test. In this situation, there may be several options for the development of events. An important condition for assessing the result is the correctness of the testing procedure.

Test manufacturers attach detailed instructions to the product. It indicates for how long it is necessary to lower the test strip into the container, how long the test needs to be kept under the stream of urine, and also after how long it is necessary to evaluate the result.

Sometimes, even with the right application, a woman can find an ambiguous result. This can occur as a result of uneven soaking of the surface of the dough with urine. Distribution most often occurs with inaccuracies on the test strips. In this case, you must repeat the procedure using the plate test.

The second common reason for questionable results is early use of the test. Manufacturers recommend carrying out the diagnostic procedure no earlier than on the first day after the onset of the delay in menstruation.

Some tests indicate that they can be carried out even before the first day of the delay. Usually these tests are sensitive. However, they can also give or false negative results. In this case, the second stripe may not appear at all or have a faint, blurry outline. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out the test at the onset of the delay.

Manufacturers note that the second strip should be the same as the control one: even, bright, and have clear edges. It should be the same length and width as the first strip. Only in this case is the test positive.

However, we can talk about the onset of pregnancy after a laboratory analysis has been carried out to determine the hCG hormone in the blood. It is carried out at intervals of 2-3 days to assess the growth of indicators.

A pale second strip on the test may appear after the due date for assessing the result. Sometimes women check a drawing on a test half an hour after the study. In this case, this result cannot be considered positive: this is how the residues of the reagent may appear.

Sometimes this result can be obtained from a test carried out after fertility therapy. During treatment, a woman takes drugs that contain a small dose of the hormone hCG (Pregnili, Profazi). In this case, it may not be excreted from the body for some time.

A positive test with a pale second stripe may indicate the presence of certain diseases in a woman's body. Often, cells similar to the hormone produced by the chorion of the ovum are formed when a cyst is present. After examination, doctors can diagnose chorionepithelioma of the uterus, cystic moles.

When pregnancy is possible with such a test reaction

A second, faint streak may appear immediately during the test. In this case, pregnancy can be suspected. However, an accurate assessment can be made only after an examination in a medical institution, so that disappointment does not occur in the event of a false positive result.

The second pale strip on the test may indicate a low content of the hCG hormone in the woman's urine. This result can occur for several reasons:

If the gestation period is very short, and there is still no delay, then the strip may have a pale color.
When using means to remove excess fluid from the body (diuretics), urine is diluted. Also, a low concentration of the hormone can occur due to the use of foods that affect the urinary function, and with increased kidney function.
A weak second strip may indicate abnormalities in the development of pregnancy.
In the case of a frozen pregnancy, the test may show a weak second strip.
In an ectopic pregnancy, the test response can be mixed.
If the test is carried out in the period after the abortion procedure (abortion, miscarriage, curettage), then the test may be positive. In this case, the presence of the hCG hormone is due to its incomplete elimination after a recent pregnancy.

What if the test shows a faint second line?

An ambiguous result cannot be reliable for determining the presence of pregnancy. Therefore, retesting is necessary. You can use a different brand of test, or purchase it from a different pharmacy.

However, doctors advise conducting an examination using laboratory methods. The most effective is the analysis to determine the hCG hormone in the blood serum. He surrenders on an empty stomach in the morning. By the amount of its content, you can determine whether pregnancy has occurred. Also, its level should approximately match the rate of its concentration in the blood in accordance with the gestational age.

If a woman has pain in the abdomen, an urgent consultation with a gynecologist is necessary. He will be able to confirm or deny an ectopic pregnancy.

In any case, if a woman saw only a barely noticeable second strip on the pregnancy test, it is too early to rejoice. It is worth confirming the result using other diagnostic methods and only after consulting a specialist.

Olga Rogozhkina

midwife

All pregnancy tests have the same principle of action - they react to the presence of chorionic gonadotropin in the urine. If present, the test always gives a positive answer in the form of two stripes. A dubious result means that there is uncertainty about the presence of a second strip. It can be barely noticeable, blurry, or shine through in bright light. Reasons: insufficient amount of hCG, bordering on minimal, but affecting the sensitivity of the test; defective test; misuse of the test; a woman's strong desire to get a positive result. The latter situation is more common. What if the test shows a questionable answer? Repeat it after 48 hours, or better - 2 days after the delay.

Useful video about taking a pregnancy test

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