Do Pregnancy Tests Have an Expiration Date?

Whether you’re trying to get pregnant or you’ve just noticed that your period has missed, consider purchasing an at-home pregnancy test kit. When used correctly, pregnancy tests (yes, the urine ones) are 99% accurate. However, if you’re using a product that’s been in your medicine cabinet for years or don’t follow the instructions carefully, the test strips may not reflect what’s really going on in your body.

We reached out to three gynecologists to get the latest on pregnancy tests, including how they work, whether they expire, and whether tests that are years old can really be trusted.

How is a pregnancy test done?

Let’s start with the basics: You probably know that most pregnancy tests require you to urinate on a small test stick and wait for the results… but  howdo they work, exactly?

“Pregnancy tests detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman’s urine,” says Carolyn Ross, M.D., obstetrician-gynecologist and medical advisor at Stix. “This hormone is produced by the cells that form the placenta after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus.” Your body starts producing hCG about six to 12 days after fertilization.

It’s up to you whether you urinate directly onto the pregnancy test strip or dip it into a small cup of urine, but either way, you should make sure that the control line (or the corresponding digital line) appears, which indicates that the test strip is working properly. Also, keep in mind that pregnancy tests are most accurate after your period is late.

Do pregnancy tests expire?

The typical expiration date for pregnancy tests varies by brand. According to Stephanie Hack, M.D., obstetrician-gynecologist and founder of Lady Parts Doctor, pregnancy tests usually have an expiration date of 2 to 3 years from the date of manufacture. This applies to both digital and non-digital types.

Pregnancy tests can expire if they’ve been stored in your medicine cabinet for a while, and if the product has been sitting on the shelf for a long time before you purchased it, the expiration date may be closer than you think. Throw away any expired pregnancy tests.

Are expired pregnancy tests still valid?

When pregnancy tests expire, they often become ineffective at detecting the hCG hormone because the chemicals used break down or evaporate over time. This can cause a false negative pregnancy test result, which occurs when the test gives a negative result but you are actually pregnant. False positive results can also occur, but are less likely in this case.

In other words, although expired pregnancy tests are still valid, especially if your hCG levels are high, they are more likely to be error-prone, and you should not rely on expired pregnancy tests to get accurate results.

Is your pregnancy test expired?

Want to know how to tell if your pregnancy test has expired? First, check the expiration date on the packaging. Clearblue, for example, lists the expiration date on the foil of each pregnancy test kit, as well as on the bottom of the box.

Always check the expiration date before using a home pregnancy test, especially if it’s been stored in your medicine cabinet for a long time.

It is important to note that other factors can also affect the effectiveness of a pregnancy test. For example, extreme temperatures and high humidity can damage the integrity of the test, so home pregnancy test kits should always be stored in a dry, room temperature location. Refer to the product packaging for more information on proper storage.

Can pregnancy tests give false positive or negative results?

The short answer is, yes, home pregnancy tests can give you false positive or false negative results. According to Dr. Huck, the most common reasons for a false positive pregnancy test result include certain medications, medical conditions, and taking a pregnancy test too soon after a miscarriage or previous pregnancy.

As for false negative results, they can happen if you test too early. We know you want to know, but waiting will give you the most accurate results. “A false negative result means that your HCG levels in your urine may not be high enough to be detected,” says Heather Jones, MD, obstetrician-gynecologist at Maiden Lane Medical in Brooklyn. “The best time to test is a day or two after your period is late.” Using an expired pregnancy test can also give you a false negative result.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your obstetrician or healthcare provider to discuss your questions or concerns. If you think you might be pregnant or have a positive pregnancy test, you should see a healthcare professional and have a blood test taken at a clinic to confirm your pregnancy.

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