Self-diagnosis of pregnancy at the earliest stages today is quite a feasible and accessible task, and every woman can herself, long before a visit to the doctor, find out about her “special” situation with the help of tests. One of the easiest to use and reliable is inkjet.
What it is?
The jet type test system is a test that is intended for home use. This modification is much easier to use than the usual strip strips for many. You just need to put the device under the stream of urine while urinating, and after a few minutes you can get the result, hence the name - jet.
The action of the device is identical to the principle of operation of other test systems: a special applied reagent determines the content of the hCG hormone in urine. This substance begins to grow noticeably after the ovum is successfully implanted into the endometrium. It is produced by the chorionic villi that attach it to the wall of the uterus.
Chorionic gonadotropin performs an important function - it maintains the performance of the corpus luteum on the surface of the ovary, formed after ovulation from the remnants of the follicle membranes. It produces progesterone, without which the continuation of pregnancy is impossible.
If a woman has not conceived, then the corpus luteum regresses 10-12 days after ovulation, and when conception is completed and subsequent implantation, it is the hCG hormone that prevents it from regressing.
The hormone level rises gradually - it doubles every 48 hours. The first rise in the level of a substance in the blood occurs in the first days after implantation. It, in turn, usually occurs 6-9 days after conception (or after ovulation - it is more convenient to count this way). By the time the menstruation delay begins, the level of the hCG hormone exceeds the sensitivity thresholds of almost all test systems.
It's all about the dough production technology, the quality and quantity of the reagent. It is these indicators that determine the thresholds of sensitivity, and there are highly sensitive models that can catch the rise of a substance in the urine even before the delay, and there are systems with a normal level of perception. Tests that indicate 5–20 mIU / ml are considered highly sensitive.
Inkjet tests are considered one of the most accurate and reliable, but in any case, earlier than 3-4 days before the start of the delay, they should not be done - there is a high probability of getting a negative result in an actual pregnancy.
From the first day of the delay, the accuracy of the readings should not be in doubt - it is high. The sensitivity threshold for most inkjet tests is 10–20 mIU / ml. This means that they can theoretically be applied before a delay of several days. But manufacturers, just in case, still recommend starting testing after the start of the delay.
How to use?
Inkjet tests have an undoubted advantage - they are convenient to use. There is no need to collect urine in a separate container, which means less time for diagnosis is required. A woman can use such a device not only at home, but also at work, simply by going to the toilet.
The disadvantages include the high cost, significantly higher than the price segment of conventional strip strips. At the same time, the most expensive are jet reusable electronic devices, which not only determine the fact of pregnancy with high accuracy, but can also indicate the gestational age in weeks (the accuracy is, however, somewhat lower).
To increase the chances of getting a reliable result, it is important to adhere to the rules of use:
- if the test is not reusable, do not reuse it;
- do not test in heat or cold - it is best to keep the ambient temperature at room level;
- for testing (especially before delay), use the morning urine sample collected immediately before diagnosis: it is the most concentrated and dense in composition;
- after the start of the delay, the test can be done at any time of the day - not necessarily in the morning;
- do not open the package with the dough in advance - you need to do this immediately before use.
Testing itself is a simple task. Remove the cap from the working area, place the test under a stream of urine while urinating, hold for at least five seconds. Place the cap on the work area and place the device on a dry, horizontal surface for 3–4 minutes.
Then you can evaluate the results. Do not run the inkjet test after getting wet for more than 10 minutes: the results that may appear after this time cannot be considered reliable. The dried reagent may show a second false gray strip, which does not indicate pregnancy - this is just a trace of the reagent application.
What results can there be?
A positive test is a test that will show either "+" or "pregnant" in the test window, or two strips - it depends on which brand of test you are using. There is no doubt about the result if both stripes have a clear uniform color and brightness.
A weakly positive test is called a positive "striped" test, but the second strip is slightly less bright than the control. This may be due to the fact that testing is carried out before the delay and the hCG level is not yet high enough for the second band to acquire brightness.
If even after a delay it remains dull, you should consult a doctor, there may be a threat of miscarriage due to hormonal insufficiency or an ectopic pregnancy, in which less chorionic gonadotropin is produced. Tests that show "pluses", as well as electronic tests of weakly positive results cannot give.
A negative result is a result in which there is only one strip or "no pregnant" is present. If the test does not show a single strip, then they say that the device is defective, expired, or a software failure has occurred (for electronic devices).
Please note that the accuracy of the result directly depends on the time of the test: 4 days before the expected menstruation it does not exceed 50%, but already 2 days before it is 85%, in a day - more than 90%, from the first day of the delay - about 97%.
Review of the best models
The choice of test systems for jet modification is quite wide; there are devices that differ in price and functionality. We've compiled a review based on women's feedback.
Evitest
Manufactured in Germany and currently account for the lion's share of the Russian inkjet test system market. The advantage of the test lies in a convenient holder, in which a woman does not wet her hands and the body of the device during use.
There are two flavors of inkjet testing from Evitest: Perfect and Supreme. The first is informative mainly from the first day of the delay of the next menstruation, the second has a more sensitive threshold of perception and theoretically can be applied even before the delay in 2-3 days. Perfect is cheaper, because the second variety is presented in a modern beautiful design, and for it the manufacturers increased the cost of the product by almost 40%.
Reviews are quite positive, erroneous results are rare.
Clearblue
British test systems are represented by disposable inkjet models and reusable digital test, in the name of which there is a second word "Digital". This test is considered the most highly sensitive and can be carried out, according to manufacturers' assurances, 4-5 days before the expected day of the onset of menstruation, of course, provided that ovulation and implantation occurred on average.
The digital model is equipped with 20 replaceable disposable cartridges, which will allow you to use the device two dozen times (if necessary).
The accuracy of the British devices is high, but errors are possible. In particular, there are complaints about the digital test, which can generate software errors.
Frautest
Another very popular brand of jet tests in Russia. Manufactured in Germany. Inkjet models are called "Comfort" and "Exclusive". The sensitivity of both varieties is the same, they differ only in appearance and design, on which, again, the cost depends - Comfort costs 20-30% less.
The reviews are mixed, but there are more positive ones.
"Mom test"
Russian ultrasensitive test with a threshold of only 10mIU / ml will allow testing 3-4 days before the expected delay and get a very reliable result. Manufacturers claim that you can use the device not only in the morning, but also at any time of the day, when it is convenient for the woman herself.
The reviews are ambiguous, there are women who were satisfied, and there are those who assure that the test is not worth the money that they ask for it - they are mistaken even after the delay.
How to choose the best one?
The choice is a personal matter, all the models presented have their own advantages, disadvantages, their own cost, and therefore you should decide which test to use on your own. It is only important to consider that the test is a product that has a shelf life. Women usually do not know about this, and it never occurs to them to look at this characteristic on the packaging. But in vain. The fact is that over time, the reagent loses its properties, which is why expired tests cannot be considered reliable.
In order not to be mistaken, buy inkjet models only at pharmacies. When selling such devices at the cash desks of stores, there is no guarantee that the rules for storage and transportation have been observed. Pharmacists and pharmacists are more attentive.
