The world of home pregnancy tests just got a major upgrade with the introduction of the SaliStick, the first-ever pregnancy test that utilises saliva instead of urine. Available at Superdrug stores across the United Kingdom and Ireland, this groundbreaking product offers a convenient and hygienic alternative to the traditional “pee-on-a-stick” method.
The SaliStick, created through a collaboration with Abingdon Health and Salignostics Ltd., offers a simple and straightforward testing process. Users are urged to collect saliva in their mouth before inserting the collection foam of the wand for at least 90 seconds, rotating it at regular intervals. When the colour signal changes, the user attaches the collecting foam horizontally to the analysis unit. The outcome is known within 5 to 15 minutes.
The days of depending entirely on urine-based diagnostics are long gone. The SaliStick adds convenience and flexibility to the equation, allowing persons to do the test discreetly and without the use of a lavatory. The ability to confirm pregnancy status using saliva is now available, whether on the tube or at a restaurant.
The mechanism behind the SaliStick revolves around the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone found in the urine, blood, and saliva of pregnant individuals. Produced by cells surrounding the developing embryo, hCG plays a crucial role in the formation of the placenta and serves as an indicator of the pregnancy’s progress and the fetus’s development.
Clinical investigations involving over 300 women revealed that the SaliStick test had a 95 per cent accuracy rate, which is slightly lower than pee tests performed on the first day of a missing period. This revolutionary technology delivers consistent outcomes while being cleaner and more user-friendly.
Furthermore, SaliStick has an app that allows users to digitally share their results with family and friends. While this function may not be used by those who are not looking for a pregnancy, it does give a handy way for pregnant parents to share their news with relatives and friends.
Chris Yates, CEO of Abingdon Health, expressed enthusiasm for this groundbreaking innovation, stating, “This exciting development offers women a cleaner, simpler, and more accessible way to test for pregnancy. We are thrilled to partner with Salignostics and look forward to continuing to bring innovative self-test products to the market.”
With the release of the SaliStick, a new era in at-home pregnancy testing begins. By providing an alternative to urine testing, it gives people more alternatives and ease when evaluating their pregnancy status. The SaliStick, with its precision and user-friendly design, sets a new industry standard and promises to revolutionise the way people approach home pregnancy testing.