Evaporation lines on a pregnancy test

Is it a faint positive — or an evaporation line?

An evaporation line is a small streak where the positive line should be on a pregnancy test. It only appears on tests that show negative results, meaning it does not indicate pregnancy. Taking a pregnancy test can be a nerve-racking experience, especially when it is difficult to understand what the lines on the test mean. An evaporation line does not indicate pregnancy. If this type of streak appears, it usually means that a person has read the results too late or has otherwise misused the test. A positive test would change color in the same spot, blotting out the evaporation line. For most people, getting an accurate result merely involves taking another test.

Evaporation lines on a 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.

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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.

An evaporation line is a small streak where the positive line should be on a pregnancy test. It only appears on tests that show negative results, meaning it does not indicate pregnancy. Taking a pregnancy test can be a nerve-racking experience, especially when it is difficult to understand what the lines on the test mean. An evaporation line does not indicate pregnancy. If this type of streak appears, it usually means that a person has read the results too late or has otherwise misused the test. A positive test would change color in the same spot, blotting out the evaporation line. For most people, getting an accurate result merely involves taking another test. Some people take pregnancy tests too early to receive accurate positive results. It may be a good idea to wait for a few days before taking another test.

Evaporation lines on a pregnancy test

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.

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Early morning. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Distinguishing faint lines from evaporation lines comes down to timing and color. Have questions about your order or products? The concentration of hCG is highest in the morning urine, so using a first-morning urine sample can increase the accuracy of the test. If the faint line was the result of a chemical pregnancy test, you may receive a negative test result when you test again. Usually, the cause of a faint line on a pregnancy test is the result of testing too early. An evaporation line is typically colorless and faint, while a faint positive result will have some color, even if it is very light. Any coloration in a positive line indicates pregnancy. There are two ways to tell the difference between a positive result and an evaporation line:. However, the typical waiting time for most pregnancy tests is three to five minutes. They typically appear if a person waits for longer than the suggested time to read the test result. About Us. You should also make sure to take a pregnancy test at the right time — typically two weeks after the date of ovulation read more about how to use ovulation test strips correctly — to ensure you do not receive a false-positive or false-negative 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.

An evaporation line "appears as a faint, colorless line at the location of the 'test' line," says Dr. By following the tips for accurate pregnancy testing and being aware of the causes and differences between the two, you can ensure a clearer understanding of your pregnancy status. Often, you must wait a few minutes before the pregnancy test shows a result. 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. Period Pregnancy Test. When no test line appears but you are in fact pregnant, this is considered a false-negative result. Ultra-processed foods linked to heart disease, cancer, and 30 other health conditions. In early pregnancy, there may be very little hCG in the urine, and the positive line may be faint. If the answer to these questions is yes, even though the line may not be as dark as the control line, it's likely a faint positive. By Maggie Getz. They do this by comparing your hCG levels to an average threshold of hCG found in early pregnancy. This guide will walk through how to tell the difference between a faint positive pregnancy test result vs an evaporation line, and how to avoid getting evaporation lines. In the early stages of pregnancy, hCG levels may be low, leading to a faint positive result. FAQs 1. Syphilis during pregnancy is a serious condition, and you'll be screened for syphilis at you first prenatal visit.