While there is plenty of opposition to many home diagnostic tests, the movement toward self testing is growing. Millions of North Americans now spend nearly half a billion dollars annually on devices that monitor blood sugar and blood pressure and tests that detect pregnancy, ovulation, and some types of cancer. Industry analysis expect sales of home medical tests to more than double in the next two years and quadruple to more than $3 billion by 2010. Private companies are developing over-the-counter home tests for allergies, strep throat, thyroid problems, and sexually transmitted diseases. Some of the popular self-tests are pregnancy test, ovulation tests, etc.
Seven to eight million women sue home pregnancy tests. Accurate, fast, and convenient, these kits test urine for the presence of hormones indicating pregnancy. The test costs around $10 to $15 and can detect pregnancy as soon as one day after a missed period. Ovulation tests are also becoming popular especially among women trying to become pregnant. The test predicts ovulation by testing for a sudden surge in the concentration of luteinizing hormone in the urine. Ovulation takes place within one day of such a surge. Ovulation tests cost around $25 and should not be used as a method of contraception.