Evaporation lines on a pregnancy test

The last thing you need are unclear results. So what is an evaporation line on a pregnancy test?

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. If you're hoping for a positive pregnancy test, you may find yourself squinting at the test stick, willing two solid lines to appear. And if you wait long enough, both lines may indeed show up— but that doesn't necessarily mean you're pregnant. In some cases, what looks like a positive result may actually be an evaporation line or evap line. So what is an evaporation line?

Evaporation lines on a pregnancy test

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. An evaporation line is a slight streak that appears where the positive line on a pregnancy test should be. Evaporation lines are colorless streaks, not faint lines. They typically appear if a person waits for longer than the suggested time to read the test result. An evaporation line can also appear if the test gets wet.

What's an Evaporation Line? Tell us why! This line occurs when the urine on the test strip begins to dry, leaving behind a residue.

You want to see an easy-to-read result — but unfortunately, the reality of taking pregnancy tests is that the results can sometimes be challenging to interpret. Faint lines, evaporation lines, indent lines, and more can put a damper on your pregnancy testing experience. Instead of getting excited about the results, you may find yourself confused or disappointed by a difficult-to-read result. This blog post will teach you how to make sense of confusing pregnancy test lines — including faint lines, evaporation lines, and indent lines — so you can go into your pregnancy testing experience feeling confident and capable of interpreting your test. Home pregnancy tests use the concentration of the pregnancy hormone hCG human chorionic gonadotropin found in urine to determine whether or not you are pregnant. They do this by comparing your hCG levels to an average threshold of hCG found in early pregnancy. Most pregnancy tests show two lines: a control line and a test line.

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. If your test shows both the control line and a line in the test result window, this typically indicates pregnancy. Pregnancy tests are most accurate when taken after you have missed a period. Some at-home early pregnancy tests can be used to detect a pregnancy up to 10 days before a missed period, but these results are less reliable. An evaporation line is a faint, colorless line that appears in the results window of an at-home pregnancy test. This happens if the urine being tested has dried beyond the reaction time of the test.

Evaporation lines on a pregnancy test

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. These tests are 97 to 99 percent accurate. But sometimes, the results are confusing. Some pregnancy tests involve two lines: a control line and a test line.

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For maximum effectiveness, it's important that you take your birth control pill every day. An evaporation line on a pregnancy test is a faint line or rather, mark caused by a test reaction that occurs when the urine evaporates, or when the test gets wet. Unfortunately, some confusion when interpreting the results is unavoidable — especially if your test line comes back light or faint. Read More. This residue can sometimes create a faint line, which may be misinterpreted as a positive result. A faint line could be the result of hCG levels that are rising, but not very far above the threshold to indicate that you are pregnant. If you have tested at the right time and received a negative result, you are most likely not pregnant. Pregnancy tests should be taken no sooner than 12 days past ovulation 12 DPO. How can I avoid an evaporation line on a pregnancy test? Pregnancy typically begins when a fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterus. If you suspect that you have received a false-negative result, wait a few days and test again. But if you want to avoid mistaking an evaporation line for a positive test line, you have to follow the instructions and check your results before the urine completely evaporates. Learn more. About Us. Self-testing at home or anywhere.

You want to see an easy-to-read result — but unfortunately, the reality of taking pregnancy tests is that the results can sometimes be challenging to interpret. Faint lines, evaporation lines, indent lines, and more can put a damper on your pregnancy testing experience. Instead of getting excited about the results, you may find yourself confused or disappointed by a difficult-to-read result.

This does not activate the dye in the test, so evaporation lines often appear colorless or translucent. Understanding the key differences between an evaporation line and a faint positive result is crucial in interpreting pregnancy test results accurately. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. But sometimes, the results are confusing. Colleen de Bellefonds is a freelance health and lifestyle journalist. However, it may also be the result of a chemical pregnancy , a false-positive test result that comes from taking a pregnancy test too soon before the start of your next menstrual period. Daily Wellness Digestive Health. Yes, Pregnancy Tests Can Expire. Reading the test after the specified time period can lead to the appearance of an EVAP line. Remember — each pregnancy test is different so instructions can vary. So, whether you're planning to conceive, have recently taken a test, or are simply curious about the intricacies of pregnancy test results, join us as we understand the difference between faint line and evaporation line. While they often can, the effectiveness of the test depends on the level of hCG in the urine. Go to My Saved Articles.