What is a pregnancy test?

A pregnancy test is a test that detects the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman's urine or blood. This hormone is produced by the placenta shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining, indicating that a woman is pregnant. Pregnancy tests are commonly used by women to confirm pregnancy and are available over-the-counter at most pharmacies.

A pregnancy test is a device used to detect the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman's urine or blood. hCG is produced by the placenta during pregnancy and is detectable in urine and blood as early as 10 days after conception. Pregnancy tests are used to confirm or rule out pregnancy. There are two main types of pregnancy tests: over-the-counter tests that can be used at home, and laboratory tests that are ordered by a doctor.