Pregnancy test price review. Is it worth overpaying?

Many people frequently purchase pregnancy tests, but the large price range can be confusing. Certain tests have very low costs, while others have much higher costs. This may make you question if the more costly options are actually worth the additional money.

Knowing how these tests differ from one another will enable you to make an informed choice. Do tests that cost more simply have more features or are they more accurate? Let’s examine more closely at what pregnancy tests actually cost when you choose one.

Types and cost

Tests come in multiple generations. The cost of a home pregnancy self-diagnosis device increases with its age.

First generation

The first generation device is the most economical. Strip strips ought to be a part of this. These basic test instruments come in a wide variety. The price range for the strips is 17–25 rubles per piece. These consist of the "Vera," "Eva," and several other tests. There are more costly strips available; they can cost up to 75 rubles or slightly more per piece. Basically, well-known brands like Frautest and Evitest represent these products.

The affordability and ease of use of first generation test systems are their main advantages. They are simple to use: just remove the strip, dip it into the urine sample, and assess the outcome within the specified time frame. Pregnancy is indicated by two strips, not by one. The strips’ drawbacks are that reviews claim they frequently make errors, provide false results, and, more frequently, display dubious results that are challenging for a woman to understand accurately at first. Urine must be obtained for these tests in order to proceed with the diagnosis; otherwise, it will not be possible.

Tests from the first generation are all disposable. Upon usage, the strip must be disposed of. You will have to use a new test if you have to retake it.

Second generation

Second generation test systems include tablet or cassette pregnancy tests. They are a plastic case, inside which a wider strip with a reagent is hidden than the strip version. The cost of such a design is higher than the cost of conventional strips. It is understandable – their production is somewhat more expensive in terms of cost. The average price for a tablet modification is in the range of 200 rubles. The advantages of such products are that they are convenient to use, they are more hygienic and are considered more accurate than conventional strips. The design itself contributes to accuracy – the strip is well protected from external influences. The disadvantage is that urine again needs to be collected. Of course, many manufacturers have made sure that a cup for collecting urine is included in the kit, but no one has canceled the procedure itself. After collecting urine with a special pipette, which is also included in the kit,, a few drops are applied to a special window on the body, and after the allotted time, the result is assessed.

Tests on tablets or cassettes are likewise disposable; they are not meant to be used repeatedly.

Third generation

These are jet devices. For them, you do not need to collect urine, bury it somewhere or lower it. It is enough to just bring the tip of the case under the stream of urine during urination, and in 3-5 minutes the result will appear in a special window. The cost starts from 250 rubles and up. Pros – diagnostics do not require much time, it can be carried out, in general, far from home, where it is convenient for the woman herself, for example, in the toilet at work or at the university. The test is hygienic, diagnostics are very simple. Inkjet tests almost never give questionable results, and therefore today they are considered the most accurate. Cons – the price is too high for such a product, especially considering that the diagnostic system is also disposable and cannot be reused.

Fourth generation

This electronic digital test Clearblue digital is unique in its kind. Since it functions similarly to an inkjet, the testing process is fairly straightforward and easy to comprehend. The device writes "Pregnant" or "Not pregnant" in words instead of displaying any second stripes. Additionally, a gadget that displays the gestational age in weeks is made. Out of all the test systems that are currently in use, this one is the priciest. The starting price is 390 rubles. One benefit is that each test has two dozen tips in the kit, making the product reusable.

The test system’s high cost for indicating the period is a drawback. However, because the test determines gestational age rather conditionally and approximatively, it frequently yields inaccurate results.

What is common?

This may seem strange, but all tests, regardless of the specific name, are very similar. They have the same operating principle. The essence comes down to the fact that a special chemical reagent applied by manufacturers to the self-diagnosis device determines molecules of a special hormone in the urine, which is called chorionic. HCG is actively produced after the embryo attaches to the uterine cavity, that is, its implantation into the endometrium occurs. This usually happens a week after actual conception. And after that, the chorionic villi produce the necessary hormone so that the corpus luteum on the ovary continues to function, producing progesterone. Progesterone will ensure that the pregnancy is carried to term. By the end of the first trimester, the formed placenta will take over the hormonal function.

• Menstruation
• Ovulation
• High probability of conception

14 days prior to the beginning of your menstrual cycle, or on the 14th day of a 28-day cycle, is when ovulation takes place. Since there is often variance from the average value, the computation is imprecise.

In addition to the calendar method, you can check cervical mucus, measure basal temperature, use special tests or mini-microscopes, and test for progesterone, estrogens, LH, and FSH.

Folliculometry (ultrasound) can be used to definitively determine the day of ovulation.

1. Losos, jonathan b.; Raven, Peter H.; Johnson, George B.; Singer, Susan R. Biology. New York: McGRAW-HILL. PP. 1207-1209.
2. Campbell n. A., Reece j. B., Urry l. A. E. a. Biology. 9th ed. – Benjamin cummings, 2011. – p. 1263
3. Tkachenko b. AND., Brin c. B., Zakharov Yu. M., Neduspasov in. ABOUT., Pyatin in. F. Human physiology. Compendium / Ed. B. AND. Tkachenko. – M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2009. – 496 p.
4. https: // ru.Wikipedia.Org/wiki/ovulation

HCG levels progressively rise. in the urine after initially appearing in the blood. The hormone’s quantitative indicator rises by about the first level every two days. His presence in the fluid that the kidneys remove allows the reagent that adds antibodies to the chorionic gonadotropic hormone to be captured.

Any type of test apparatus yields a positive result if it triggers this kind of reaction when exposed to urine. The test result will be negative if there is no reaction.

From this vantage point, there is no distinction between pricey tests from well-known worldwide manufacturers and brands and inexpensive test strips with unidentified brands.

What are the differences?

The sensitivity of the tests is the only distinction between them. Some devices are able to detect the hormone in urine at an early stage, while others require more time to identify the presence of active substance molecules in urine due to differences in the reagents used by manufacturers and the production technology employed.

Ultra-sensitive tests are appropriate for the earliest diagnosis. They can identify hCG at concentrations ranging from 5-7 to 15 mIU/ml. Usually, this amount is reached two to three days prior to the beginning of the subsequent missed period. Therefore, ultra-sensitive tests are the recommended option for women who are certain that they must ascertain whether conception took place prior to the delay.

With a sensitivity of 25 mIU/ml, the majority of diagnostic products—including "luxury" options—should only be used when a menstrual delay has begun.

It is interesting to note that the price category is unaffected by the sensitivity characteristic alone. Both high-end brands and low-cost test systems have extremely sensitive models and tests available. Contrary to popular belief, the price is largely determined by other factors rather than sensitivity.

The name is the primary determinant of price for this class of goods. A well-known brand will command a higher price for its goods than those of lesser-known producers. Modification and design come in second. For instance, the only reason the jet models from Frautest and comparable Clearblue systems cost so much more is that Clearblue places greater emphasis on the case, holder, and packaging designs.

How many products will you need?

You must be certain of the potential number of products you will require in order to determine the price range of goods you will require. It is crucial for women to monitor the dynamics if they begin testing a few days prior to the onset of a menstrual delay. This means that 7-9 tests may be necessary, and in these cases, overly costly systems have the potential to completely destroy a family’s finances.

You shouldn’t purchase a lot of diagnostic equipment if the delay has already started; perhaps one cheap strip will be sufficient to confirm the pregnancy.

• After a delay, women have a large amount of chorionic hormone in their urine, and strips of any sensitivity will be able to detect the presence of molecules of the substance.
• There are excellent options that are quite affordable for women of any income – the so-called double tests. These are two identical simple strips in one package. One is used to conduct diagnostics, the other – if necessary, to confirm or refute it. Double strips are always more profitable in price than buying two separate strips.

It’s important to think about whether a pregnancy test’s higher price is really worth it when selecting one, as many less expensive options provide accurate results on par with more costly brands.

What to consider when choosing?

Given that the fundamental workings of both expensive and inexpensive test systems are essentially the same, when making your selection, you should focus on specific features that will help you make the best diagnosis and obtain the most accurate results rather than just price.

• Before the delay, it is better to choose inexpensive strip strips, of which you can buy about a dozen for three hundred rubles. Many women prefer strips from different manufacturers. And there is some common sense in this, since strips from the same batch may be defective. The main requirement is a high sensitivity threshold of the test system. Please note that the packaging or instructions should indicate that the test has a sensitivity of 5.5 to 15 mIU/ml.
• After the delay begins, choose any sensitivity. It no longer plays a significant role. A large amount is not required.

Make careful to consider the expiration date. This is crucial because, beyond the designated time, the chemical reagent might lose its properties. Additionally, decide how important you think ease of use is.

If using the restroom at work is not necessary, you can take a strip, or cassette version, without risk. It is preferable to choose models that do not require urine collection, such as jet or digital reusable, if it is implied that the test will be conducted on the run rather than in the home toilet.

It’s evident that greater costs don’t always translate into better pregnancy test outcomes. Even though more features might be available with premium options, many less expensive tests can produce equally accurate and trustworthy results.

It’s important to recognize your own needs and preferences. There’s no need to spend more money if you feel comfortable taking a basic test. However, if extra features like digital readouts or early detection bring you comfort, they might be worth the money.

The pregnancy test that suits your budget and provides you with confidence in the outcome is ultimately the best choice. Think about what matters to you, and don’t feel obligated to spend more if there is a less expensive option that still fulfills your requirements.

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Pregnancy test price review. Is it worth overpaying?