A pregnancy test is a medical tool used to determine if a person is pregnant. It works by detecting the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine or blood. This hormone is produced shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus. Home pregnancy tests are widely available and can provide results within minutes. There are two main types of pregnancy tests: urine tests and blood tests. Urine tests are commonly used at home, while blood tests are typically performed in a medical setting. Both types are reliable, but blood tests can detect pregnancy earlier than urine tests.