Whether a woman has missed her menstrual period or simply “feels pregnant,” home pregnancy tests offer the convenience of testing without having to make a doctor appointment. Home tests sense the hormone hCG, which is produced by the chorion (part of what will become the placenta) of a developing embryo.

The menstrual cycle has several discreet events, the most noticeable of which is the menstrual period. Some women also experience minor discomfort around the time of ovulation, or release of the egg, but for many this event goes entirely unnoticed.

Whether a woman is trying to conceive, trying desperately not to conceive, or merely curious as to why she's missed a period, at some point she’s likely to turn to a home pregnancy test for answers.