Does two lines on a pregnancy test stick mean pregnancy?

Generally, two lines appearing on a pregnancy test strip may indicate pregnancy, but it is not definitive. A detailed analysis is as follows:

The detection principle of pregnancy test strips is based on identifying human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine. After pregnancy, women's bodies secrete hCG, and its levels continue to rise as the pregnancy progresses. When hCG reaches a certain concentration, the test strip will display two lines. If the test is performed strictly according to the instructions, two lines largely indicate pregnancy.

However, some factors might lead to false-positive results. For example, certain medications may affect the test outcome. Drugs containing hCG components might cause the test strip to show two lines even when there is no actual pregnancy.

If two lines appear on the pregnancy test strip, it is advisable to visit a hospital for further examination to confirm whether you are pregnant. Blood tests measuring hCG levels can provide a more accurate assessment, as blood tests are more sensitive than urine tests. Additionally, an ultrasound scan can be performed to determine if it is an intrauterine pregnancy and to rule out abnormal pregnancies such as ectopic pregnancies.