You may have heard about DIY pregnancy tests on the internet or on social media sites like TikTok. Essentially, a sugar pregnancy test involves mixing urine with sugar and if the mixture solidifies, you’re deemed pregnant. Yes, that’s true according to the internet.
The problem is, there’s no scientific data to back up these claims. We reached out to three obstetrician-gynecologists to learn more about these tests, including how accurate they are, what parents in general should know about DIY pregnancy tests, and the fastest, most accurate way to confirm pregnancy.
What is a pregnancy test actually?
Sugar pregnancy tests are at-home tests that claim to “predict” pregnancy by spiking sugar into your urine. According to Adi Davidoff, MD, vice chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, DIY pregnancy tests aren’t really tests, they’re just a myth.
“DIY pregnancy tests are a myth that’s spread all over the internet,” says Dr. Davidoff. Despite their popularity online, Dr. Davidoff says she hasn’t had any patients ask her about them. Sarah Jordan, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist and medical director at Pediatrics Medical Group in Fort Worth, Texas, also says she doesn’t recommend DIY sugar pregnancy tests.
The science (or theory) behind sugar pregnancy tests
To be clear, there isn’t even a shred of scientific evidence to back up these tests. Having sugar in your urine is not a medical indication of pregnancy.
The theory behind the test is that the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) somehow makes sugar less soluble, says Heather Levin, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist and co-director of the Northwell Gestational Diabetes Center. But as Levin points out, “there’s no scientific evidence to support this test.”
Dr. Jordan agrees: “There is no scientific basis for this, and sugar does not actually absorb the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG),” she explains. “HCG is the pregnancy hormone that causes a ‘positive’ result on traditional home and clinic pregnancy tests.”
How to Take a Pregnancy Test at Home
Again, there are no studies to support the claims that these tests are useful or accurate, so while you can test at home for fun, you shouldn’t use them to confirm a pregnancy.
TikTok videos shown on FYP outline a variety of methods, but here’s a general guide on how to take a pregnancy test at home:
- Use the first urine of the morning
- Then, use a cup, bowl, or other container to mix the urine with the sugar.
- Let the mixture sit for a few minutes.
- Then, take note of what you see: if the sugar is dissolved in your urine, the test is negative and doesn’t “detect” a pregnancy. But if the line starts to solidify, the test is positive and does “detect” a pregnancy (in theory, of course).
Are sugar pregnancy tests accurate?
If you’re wondering whether sugar pregnancy tests are accurate, Dr. Davidoff has a clear message on the subject: “The answer is simple, no!” he said. Dr. Levin echoed the sentiment, saying, “They may be a fun fad to try, but the results are not reliable and should be confirmed with a traditional pregnancy test.”
Dr. Jordan emphasizes that these tests are inaccurate because sugar cannot detect hCG. “You can’t use them with precision,” she said. “Even if the test is ‘accurate,’ it’s probably just luck and not based on exact science.” Proponents of these types of tests claim that hCG reduces the solubility of sugar, but Dr. Jordan explains that this is not a scientifically accurate claim.
Sugar Pregnancy Test vs. Traditional Pregnancy Test
Nowadays, home pregnancy tests, even the “cheap” ones sold at dollar stores, are considered very accurate in detecting pregnancy. Home pregnancy tests measure the concentration of hCG in urine. It is usually recommended that you use your first urine of the morning when using these tests.
According to Dr. Jordan, HCG is released about six days after the egg is fertilized. “Most commercial pregnancy tests can detect hCG in urine about 10 days after conception,” she explains. “Most people stop having periods 14 days after conception.”
The only other “at home” method that can tell you if you’re pregnant is the basal body temperature method, which involves taking your temperature with a special thermometer called a basal thermometer. Your temperature should be taken first thing in the morning before you wake up, and every day during your menstrual cycle.
Basal body temperature rises after ovulation and drops a few days before your period. If your temperature continues to rise a few days after your period is due, you may be pregnant. However, medical professionals do not use this as a method of pregnancy testing, only as a possible sign or symptom. You may need to take a pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy.
This means that if you think you might be pregnant, you should buy a home pregnancy test kit instead of resorting to DIY methods. If you’re not sure whether you’ll get accurate results or don’t know how to use a regular home pregnancy test kit, contact a medical professional.
Your doctor may do a urine test or a blood test to measure the amount of hCG in your blood. Blood tests are usually done if you need to monitor your pregnancy hormones for medical reasons, says Dr. Jordan.
Either way, she recommends avoiding sugar pregnancy tests and similar tests. “DIY pregnancy tests are currently not recommended as they do not give accurate results,” Dr. Jordan explains. “If you have any doubt about whether you are pregnant, it’s best to see your obstetrician-gynaecologist.”
