e.p.t.® pregnancy tests are more than 99% accurate in laboratory tests, when used from the first day of your expected period.

When you are pregnant, your body produces the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). The amount of hCG in your body increases in early stages of pregnancy. e.p.t.® pregnancy tests can detect tiny amounts of this hormone in your urine.

You can use e.p.t.® pregnancy tests before you expect your period to start. If you test and get a negative sign (-), meaning 'not pregnant', there is still a chance that you may be pregnant. The accuracy of the test increases each day as you get closer to your period.

If you are testing before you expect your period to begin, we recommend testing with your first urine of the day. To determine when your period is due, calculate your usual cycle length by counting the number of days from the first day of your period until the day before your next period starts.

• Avoid excessive fluid intake before testing.
• If you have irregular cycles, you should allow for your longest cycle in recent months before testing.
• If the result is a (-) sign, 'not pregnant' result, and pregnancy is still suspected, test again.

• Always read manufacturers’ instructions for any medication you are taking before conducting a test.
• Fertility drugs containing hCG can affect the result. These drugs are usually given by injection, and testing with the e.p.t.® pregnancy tests too soon after administration may give a false (+) sign (false ‘pregnant’ result).
• Other fertility therapies (such as clomiphene citrate), painkillers and hormonal contraceptives (e.g., the contraceptive pill) are unlikely to affect the result.
• If you have recently stopped using hormonal contraception or are using fertility therapies like clomiphene citrate, your periods may be irregular, leading you to test too soon.
• If you are in or approaching the menopause, you may get a false positive result even though you are not pregnant.
• If you have recently been pregnant (even if not carried to full term), you may get a false (+) sign (false ‘pregnant’ result). In addition, ovarian cysts and ectopic pregnancy can give misleading results.
• If you have a (+) sign (‘pregnant’ result), it is possible that you later find that you are not pregnant due to natural loss of the pregnancy which can occur in the e early stages.
• If you do get unexpected results, you should discuss them with your doctor.

It does not matter if one line if fainter or darker than the other. However, the result must be read within 10 minutes of performing the test.

If there is no blue line in the square window within 10 minutes, the test has not worked. This may be because too much or too little urine has been used; or the absorbent tip was not kept pointing downward or the test stick was not laid flat after urine was applied. You should test again using a second test stick, carefully following the instructions.

You may not be pregnant, the level of pregnancy hormone in your urine may not yet be high enough to be detected; or you may have miscalculated the day your period is due.

If the test gives you a (+) sign, ‘pregnant’ result, you should see your doctor who can advise you on what steps you should take next.

An error has occurred during testing. It may mean:

• The absorbent tip was not kept pointing downward, or the test was not laid flat after urine was applied.
• Too much or too little urine was applied.

Test again with a new test, taking carefully following the instructions.

If the display remains blank after you have used the test, please call us toll-free at 1-800-378-1783