Is a Pregnancy Test Result with One Dark Line and One Light Line Indicative of Pregnancy?

A pregnancy test strip showing one dark and one light line indicates a possible pregnancy. It is recommended to test again the next day to observe if the color deepens. If the color deepens significantly, it is basically a pregnancy. The appearance of one dark and one light line may be caused by early pregnancy detection, low urine concentration, or the influence of drugs or diseases.

Generally speaking, the pregnancy test strip should be used successfully 3 to 7 days after menstruation stops. However, most women who experience their first menstrual stoppage are afraid of unplanned pregnancy, so they eagerly take the test within 1 to 2 days after menstruation stops, resulting in one dark and one light line. It is recommended to test again the next day or wait for a longer period after menstruation stops.

The pregnancy test strip should preferably use the first morning urine for testing, as the hormone levels are easiest to detect at this time. If there is no urine in the morning or excessive water intake during the night, it is necessary to ensure that the urine has been in the bladder for at least four hours before testing. Otherwise, it is easy to cause the pregnancy test strip to show one dark and one light line.

The main hormone for pregnancy testing, HCG, can increase not only due to pregnancy but also due to certain diseases such as ovarian tumors, uterine cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, etc., causing the appearance of one dark and one light line. Therefore, when women test and see one dark and one light line after menstruation stops, it is best to confirm the results again at a professional hospital. If the test result is due to a disease rather than pregnancy, timely treatment is necessary.