There are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there about over-the-counter pregnancy tests, and with social media, that misinformation has a tendency to spread quickly. One such rumor turned urban legend has to do with a pill-like item that's found inside some boxed home pregnancy tests.
As eyebrow-raising as it might sound, various pockets of the internet and social media have been buzzing with the theory that this little pill is Plan B (aka the morning-after pill).
We're here to clear up this rumor for once and all: Yes, there is a tablet that can be found inside the plastic part of some over-the-counter pregnancy tests. But the tablet is not a morning-after pill, and it is definitely not meant to be eaten. Ahead, learn more about what's really going on.
What Is That "Pill" Inside Pregnancy Tests?
To help clear up the confusion, we reached out to Clearblue, one of the pregnancy test brands featured in many of the user-generated videos online.
A spokesperson for the company explained via email that Clearblue was aware of the rumors. The representative went on to explain that the "pill" inside some pregnancy test products is a tablet placed there to absorb moisture—it is not meant to be consumed.
This isn't unusual. Desiccant tablets are used with many medical products, from pregnancy tests to vitamin bottles, to absorb moisture and humidity and help preserve shelf life.
"Clearblue pregnancy tests do NOT contain Plan B pills," Clearblue tells Parents. "All our tests have a small desiccant tablet which is included to absorb moisture and should not be eaten. If accidentally ingested we ask people to please seek medical advice."
The rumor about the "pill" inside pregnancy tests has run so rampant online that pregnancy test makers have updated their websites to address it.
Origins of the "Pill" Inside Pregnancy Tests Rumors
The majority of the buzz about the pregnancy test "pill" has been circulated in videos on Facebook and TikTok going as far back as 2019. The user-generated videos promoting the myth caught on quickly, and have had staying power.
Unsurprisingly, there was a resurgence in videos perpetuating the pill rumor in 2022 after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and again during the 2024 election cycle when talk of a federal abortion ban was amplified on the campaign trail.
But in addition to videos featuring people breaking open pregnancy tests and wondering if the tablet inside is actually emergency contraception, there are almost as many posts from others trying to set the record straight, such as Joe Whittington, MD, an emergency room doctor who posts as @drjoe_md on TikTok.
What's Actually Inside Home Pregnancy Tests
There are many types of home pregnancy tests, from simple paper test strips with color-changing indicator lines to larger plastic devices with a digital results screen.
The pregnancy tests at the center of the Plan B pill rumors have mostly been early response and digital tests offered by brands like Clearblue and First Response, which have hollow plastic shells where the test components are housed. Within this plastic casing, there are reagents (substances that react to hCG in urine), an absorbent test pad, a results display, a sensor and battery (in the case of digital tests), and, yes, the now infamous desiccant tablet.
Digital pregnancy tests in particular are not intended to be opened, even to confirm the results. Unlike other types of home pregnancy tests, the test strips in digital pregnancy tests are intended to be read by the test's sensors, not your eyes.
The Truth About Emergency Contraceptives
The social media videos about the "pills" inside pregnancy tests may indicate that teens and young adults are attempting to share information about accessing emergency contraceptives at a time when reproductive rights are under attack across the country.
While the risk of teens ingesting a desiccant tablet not intended for consumption is concerning, perhaps most concerning is that this rumor highlights how little teens know about how pregnancy tests and emergency contraception like Plan B work.
Emergency contraception must be taken within 72 of unprotected sex to have the highest chance of avoiding unintended pregnancy, and it will only work if it's taken before the person has ovulated. By the time a pregnancy test can provide an accurate result, it's too late for emergency contraception to work.
The endurance of this rumor serves as a reminder to parents and caregivers of the importance of ongoing comprehensive sex education, including how to reduce the risk of pregnancy, how emergency contraceptives work, and where to access reproductive care. Without it, teens often turn to peers and the internet for answers, which can have devastating results.
How To Access Emergency Contraceptives
There is no form of morning-after pill included in pregnancy tests, but people in need of emergency contraceptives can purchase them over the counter. Plan B One-Step costs around $50, while generic versions run anywhere from $13 to $45.
These options are available over the counter at most drugstores and pharmacies or can be purchased online. Anyone can buy emergency contraceptives regardless of age or sex, and when stored as directed, they have a shelf life of up to four years.
