Do Pregnancy Tests Turn Positive if Left Too Long? Here's What to Know!

Discover how long to wait for a pregnancy test result to avoid false positives and ensure accurate readings.

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A pregnancy test may show a false positive if it sits for too long. After the recommended read time (usually 5-10 minutes), evaporation lines can appear or other chemical changes can occur on the test, leading to misleading results. Always read tests within the indicated time frame to ensure accuracy.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What causes a false positive on a pregnancy test? False positives can occur due to hormonal changes, chemical reactions in the test, or reading the test after the recommended time.
  2. How long should I wait to read a pregnancy test? It's best to read a pregnancy test within the recommended time frame of 5-10 minutes for accurate results.
  3. Can I test for pregnancy too early? Yes, testing too early can lead to false negatives as the hormone levels may not be high enough to detect.
  4. What are evaporation lines on a pregnancy test? Evaporation lines can appear if a test is read after the recommended time, which can be mistaken for a faint positive.