A UPT (urine pregnancy test, ujian kehamilan) detects the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine. Test from the first day of a missed period, or at least 21 days after unprotected sex if you are not sure when your period is due. Two lines (C and T) mean positive, even if the T line is faint; one line at C means negative; no C line means the test is invalid. Read the result within the time on the box, usually 3 to 5 minutes, because lines that appear later do not count. A positive result is almost always right, but a negative result can be wrong if you test too early, so retest in a few days if your period still has not come.
Ringkasan: Cara buat dan baca UPT
- UPT mengesan hormon kehamilan hCG dalam air kencing.
- Buat ujian mulai hari pertama period lambat, atau sekurang-kurangnya 21 hari selepas hubungan seks tanpa perlindungan.
- Dua garis (C dan T) = positif, walaupun garis T samar. Satu garis di C = negatif. Tiada garis C = ujian tidak sah.
- Baca keputusan dalam masa yang dinyatakan pada kotak (biasanya 3 hingga 5 minit). Garis yang muncul selepas itu tidak dikira.
- Jika negatif tetapi period masih tidak datang, ulang ujian selepas beberapa hari dengan air kencing pertama waktu pagi.
Sumber: NHS, US FDA, MedlinePlus, Cleveland Clinic, MyGOV Malaysia.
Apa itu UPT? (What is a urine pregnancy test?)
After a fertilised egg attaches to the lining of the womb, the developing placenta starts making human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). In early pregnancy, hCG rises quickly, roughly doubling every 2 to 3 days (MedlinePlus; Cleveland Clinic). A UPT contains antibodies that react to hCG in urine and make a coloured line or symbol appear (Gnoth 2014).
- Where to get one: home kits are sold at pharmacies and some supermarkets. You can also go straight to a klinik kesihatan to confirm a pregnancy (MyGOV Malaysia).
- Accuracy: home tests are about as accurate as clinic urine tests when used correctly (FDA; Cleveland Clinic). A positive result is almost certainly correct; a negative result is less reliable (NHS).
- Not all kits are equal: sensitivity differs between brands, and claims such as detecting pregnancy many days before a missed period are often unrealistic (Gnoth 2014). In one laboratory comparison, the most sensitive kits detected 97% of pregnancies on the day of the missed period, while others detected only about 54% to 67% (Cole 2011).
Bila boleh buat UPT? (When to take a pregnancy test)
- From the first day of your missed period for most tests (NHS).
- At least 21 days after unprotected sex if your periods are irregular or you do not know when your period is due (NHS).
- Testing early: some very sensitive tests can be used before a missed period (NHS), but a negative result at this stage does not rule out pregnancy.
- Why waiting helps: in a US study, about 10% of pregnancies had not even implanted by the first day of the missed period, so no test could detect them yet; one week later, up to 97% could be detected (Wilcox 2001). The FDA notes that 10 to 20 in every 100 pregnant women will not get a positive on the first day of their missed period.
For the early signs that may prompt you to test, see our guide to tanda-tanda mengandung. If you took an emergency pill, see Postinor for when to test.
Cara guna UPT langkah demi langkah (how to use a pregnancy test)
Every brand is slightly different, so always read the leaflet first. In general (FDA; MedlinePlus; Cleveland Clinic):
- Check the expiry date and that the foil pouch is not damaged. Open it only when you are ready.
- Use first-morning urine if you are testing early, because it usually has the most hCG. Otherwise, try to wait about 3 hours since you last passed urine.
- Do not drink a lot of water beforehand; it dilutes the urine.
- Collect the urine in a clean, dry cup, or hold a midstream test in your urine stream for the number of seconds on the leaflet.
- Apply the urine correctly: dip a strip only up to the marked line, or add the stated number of drops to a cassette.
- Lay the test flat on a clean, dry surface with the window facing up.
- Start a timer and read the result at the stated time, usually 3 to 5 minutes. Do not read it after the time limit.
A study of home pregnancy test leaflets found most instructions were harder to read than recommended (Wallace 2009), so take a moment to look at the pictures of each result before you start.
Cara baca keputusan UPT (how to read the result)
Most line tests have a C (control) line, which shows the test has worked, and a T (test) line, which shows hCG. Some tests use a plus sign or words instead (Cleveland Clinic).
| What you see | Result | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 line at C (control) only | Negative (tidak hamil), or tested too early | If your period does not come, test again in a few days |
| 2 lines: C and T, even if T is lighter | Positive (hamil) | Confirm at a klinik kesihatan or with your doctor |
| Faint T line (garis samar) within the reading time | Probably positive; hCG still low | Retest in 2 to 3 days with first-morning urine |
| Line that appears after the time limit | Not valid (possible evaporation line) | Ignore it and retest with a new kit |
| Only a T line, or no lines | Invalid (test did not work) | Use a new test |
| Digital test: "Pregnant" or "Not pregnant" | Shown in words | Read only within the stated time; a blank or error symbol means retest |
Sources: MedlinePlus; Cleveland Clinic; FDA; United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
UPT samar (garis samar): hamil atau tidak? (faint line)
A faint T line that appears within the reading time usually means the test has found hCG, so you are probably pregnant (Cleveland Clinic). The line strength reflects how much hCG is in your urine at that moment. A faint line may happen because:
- you tested early, when hCG is still low;
- your urine was diluted (for example, after drinking a lot);
- the kit is less sensitive;
- occasionally, an early pregnancy has ended soon after implantation (a chemical pregnancy) (Cleveland Clinic).
What to do: retest in 2 to 3 days with first-morning urine. Because hCG roughly doubles every 2 to 3 days in a healthy early pregnancy, the line usually becomes darker. If the line stays faint, gets lighter, or you have bleeding or pain, see a doctor, who can do a blood test or scan.
Garis samar vs garis penyejatan (faint line vs evaporation line)
An evaporation line is a faint mark that can appear in the T area as the urine dries, if you read the test after the time limit. It is not a positive result. Most tests ask you to read the result before 10 minutes to avoid this (Cleveland Clinic).
- Likely a real faint positive: appears within the reading time stated on the leaflet.
- Likely an evaporation line: appears only after the time limit, for example when you pick up the test again later.
- Not sure? Do not keep checking an old test. Retest with a new kit and first-morning urine.
Negatif palsu dan positif palsu (false negatives and false positives)
| Problem | Common causes | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| False negative (negatif palsu): pregnant but the test says no | Testing too early; urine diluted by drinking a lot; reading too soon; expired or less sensitive kit; very rarely, a "hook effect" when hCG is extremely high later in pregnancy | Test from the day of your missed period or later, use first-morning urine, follow the timer, and retest in a few days |
| False positive (positif palsu): not pregnant but the test says yes | Fertility medicine containing hCG; a very early pregnancy loss; hCG still present after a recent miscarriage or birth; reading after the time limit; rarely, other medical conditions | Read within the time limit and see a doctor to confirm |
Sources: FDA; MedlinePlus; Cleveland Clinic; Herskovits 2020.
False negatives are more common than false positives, and testing too early is the main reason (Cleveland Clinic; Herskovits 2020). Contraceptive pills, antibiotics and painkillers do not change the result (NHS; Cleveland Clinic).
Get help even if your test is negative if you might be pregnant and have pain on one side of your lower tummy, vaginal bleeding, shoulder-tip pain or dizziness. Call 999 or go to the emergency department if the pain is sudden and severe or you feel faint. These can be signs of an ectopic pregnancy (mengandung luar rahim).
Jenis ujian kehamilan (types of pregnancy test)
| Type | How it works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Strip (jalur) | Dip the strip into urine collected in a clean cup | Dip only up to the marked line |
| Cassette (kaset dengan penitis) | Collect urine in a cup and put a few drops in the sample hole with the dropper | Do not overfill; use the number of drops stated |
| Midstream (batang) | Hold the absorbent tip in your urine stream, or dip it in a cup | Hold it in the stream for the number of seconds on the leaflet |
| Digital | Midstream test that shows a word or symbol | Easier to read, but some digital tests are less sensitive than others |
| Blood test (ujian darah) | Done at a clinic or lab; can measure the exact hCG level | Detects pregnancy earlier; used for fertility treatment or suspected problems |
Sources: FDA; MedlinePlus; Cleveland Clinic; Cole 2011.
Blood tests are not usually needed to confirm a normal pregnancy, because urine tests are cheaper, faster and very accurate (MedlinePlus). Your doctor may use a blood test if you are having fertility treatment or if a problem is suspected.
Selepas keputusan: apa seterusnya (after your result)
- Positive: confirm the pregnancy at a klinik kesihatan or with your doctor, and register your pregnancy as early as possible so your health and your baby's growth can be checked regularly (MyGOV Malaysia). Our guide to tanda-tanda mengandung covers the first steps, including folic acid.
- Negative but no period: retest in a few days. If you are still negative and your period has not come, see our guide to period lambat and see a doctor.
- Trying to conceive: our guides to ovulasi dan masa subur and cara cepat hamil explain timing.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Apa itu UPT (what is a UPT)?
UPT stands for urine pregnancy test (ujian kehamilan air kencing). It checks your urine for human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone made by the placenta once a fertilised egg attaches to the womb (MedlinePlus). Home UPT kits are sold at pharmacies, and a klinik kesihatan can also test you (MyGOV Malaysia).
Bila boleh buat UPT (when can I take a pregnancy test)?
Most tests work from the first day of a missed period. If you do not know when your period is due, test at least 21 days after unprotected sex (NHS). Some very sensitive tests can be used a few days earlier, but a negative result before your period is due is not reliable.
Buat UPT pagi atau malam (morning or night)?
The NHS says you can test with urine collected at any time of day. If you are testing early, first-morning urine is best because it usually contains the most hCG (MedlinePlus; FDA). At other times, try to hold your urine for about 3 hours and avoid drinking a lot beforehand, which can dilute it (Cleveland Clinic).
UPT samar, adakah hamil (is a faint line positive)?
Usually, yes. If a second line appears in the test window within the reading time, even a faint one, the test has detected hCG and you are probably pregnant (Cleveland Clinic). A faint line often means you tested early. Repeat the test in 2 to 3 days with first-morning urine; the line usually gets darker as hCG rises. If it stays faint or fades, see a doctor.
Berapa minit nak baca UPT (how long should I wait)?
Follow the time on your kit, usually about 3 to 5 minutes (Cleveland Clinic; FDA). Use a timer. Do not read the result after the time limit, often 10 minutes, because a faint "evaporation line" can appear as the urine dries and be mistaken for a positive.
Garis C sahaja tapi period lambat (one line but my period is late)?
One line at C (control) means negative, but a negative result is less reliable than a positive one, especially if you tested early (NHS). Wait a few days and test again with first-morning urine. If the second test is also negative and your period still has not come, see a doctor.
Garis T sahaja atau tiada garis (only a T line or no line)?
The test is invalid. The control (C) line shows the test has worked; if it does not appear, the result cannot be trusted and you need to use a new test (MedlinePlus).
Can a UPT give a false positive (positif palsu)?
It is uncommon. Causes include fertility medicines that contain hCG, a very early pregnancy loss (chemical pregnancy), a recent pregnancy, miscarriage or birth, and reading the test after the time limit (Cleveland Clinic; MedlinePlus). Rarely, some medical conditions make hCG. See a doctor to confirm any positive result.
Do the pill, antibiotics or painkillers affect a pregnancy test?
No. The NHS says contraceptive pill hormones do not stop a pregnancy test working, and Cleveland Clinic says antibiotics, painkillers and alcohol do not affect the result. The main exception is fertility medicine containing hCG.
How long does a UPT stay positive after a miscarriage?
hCG takes time to clear, so a test can stay positive for some weeks after a pregnancy loss. Some hospitals ask women to repeat a home test about 3 weeks after a miscarriage; a positive result at that point needs a check with the doctor (United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust). See our guide to keguguran.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor. Always follow the instructions that come with your test kit, and see a doctor to confirm a pregnancy.
References
- Doing a pregnancy test — NHS
- Pregnancy (home-use tests) — US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Pregnancy Test — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Pregnancy Tests — Cleveland Clinic
- Mendaftar Kehamilan — MyGOV Malaysia
- Post Miscarriage Pregnancy Testing — United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
- Wilcox AJ, et al. Natural limits of pregnancy testing in relation to the expected menstrual period. JAMA. 2001;286(14):1759-61.
- Gnoth C, Johnson S. Strips of hope: accuracy of home pregnancy tests and new developments. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2014;74(7):661-9.
- Cole LA. The utility of six over-the-counter (home) pregnancy tests. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2011;49(8):1317-22.
- Herskovits AZ, et al. False-negative urine human chorionic gonadotropin testing in the clinical laboratory. Lab Med. 2020;51(1):86-93.
- Wallace LS, Zite NB, Homewood VJ. Making sense of home pregnancy test instructions. J Womens Health. 2009;18(3):363-8.
