What does a positive home pregnancy test indicate in terms of hormone detection?

A positive home pregnancy test specifically indicates the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine. This hormone is produced by the placenta shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. Home pregnancy tests are designed to detect even small amounts of hCG, which begins to rise significantly after conception, making it a reliable indicator of pregnancy.

In absence of hCG, the test would return a negative result. Other hormones such as progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) play roles in the menstrual cycle and ovulation but are not detected by home pregnancy tests. Thus, the focus on hCG is critical as it is unique to pregnancy and is the hormone that confirms implantation and early pregnancy.