People often ask, “Can you take a drug test while on your period?” This is perhaps a cause of worry, especially for women in major cases like the pre-employment process, immigration, athletes, post-accident reports, and so on.
In today’s scenario, an ordinary woman tends to rely on the internet to find the answer before consulting a doctor or undergoing a drug test in case of urgency.
If you are seeking the same information, this article provides a comprehensive guide on the measures to be taken before undergoing a drug test during your menstrual days, which will satisfy your quest for knowledge after reading till the end.
Reasons behind the submission of a drug test:
In some cases, a drug test is mandatory in the pre-employment process to determine the presence of drug metabolites in your body.
Especially as defined by a board of officials, the collection of urine samples for testing the presence of drugs is said to be the most commonly utilized method for this type of investigation.
Some organizations opt for SAMHSA’s Drug-Free Workplace Program, in which all workers are required to submit to random drug testing. If women undergo a drug test while on their period,
It may raise tension, but they need not worry any more while undergoing such a test. Even the result of such a test does not affect the menstrual cycle.
Is it possible to take a drug test while on your period?
Obviously, it should be kept in mind that the sample taken by the lab technician should be free from blood contamination so that there will be no change in the result.
Generally, the first 2–3 days of the period are crucial for women if they are advised to undergo a drug test. There remains a high chance of contamination of blood in urine, though urine outflow and period blood are different in nature.
A recent study suggested avoiding taking the test while on your period.
Procedures must be carefully carried out while giving urine samples:
- Try to ensure that your blood is not contaminated with period blood; if it is, a urine sample will be rejected at the visual test.
- Always use a tissue to clean a private area.
- The sample is carefully checked until it is transparent or pale yellow in color.
- Sometimes you will be advised to give a fresh sample if your previous urine sample gets contaminated.
- If you are not confident or it is difficult to collect samples, then consult your technician directly to collect the sample from your bladder through a catheter tube.
People also ask related to the question Can You Take a Drug Test While on Your Period?
- Will menstrual blood affect the urine test?
No, a urine drug test is not affected by the presence of blood in the urine. If your urine gets contaminated by menstrual blood, then it is possible that your drug test result will be negative.
Hence, for your surety, it is advised to avoid undergoing such a test just starting off your period, as the flow of blood is very high. So it is also advised to give a sample just after the period is over or after 2-3 days of the period.
- What will interfere with a drug test?
Some factors that may interfere with drug testing during the period under consideration are listed below:
- Food consumption: Some foods containing poppy seeds may lead to inaccurate results.
- Medical issues: Any medical issues like kidney, heart, or liver can lead to a lessening metabolism and the excretion of drugs that lead to a negative result in the Drug test.
- Testing procedure errors: Make sure that your lab technician is very careful and professional regarding labeling, errors in test analysis, and contamination of samples. If it is carefully taken, then the expected result will be favorable for you.
- Supplements during diet: Some supplements, such as hemp or cannabis-related products, are said to be sources of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, which may produce positive results before a drug test.
In brief, you must be very careful regarding the aforementioned points before undergoing a drug test. If you have any complications, as mentioned above, then inform the testing facility at the earliest.
- Can you take a urine STD test while on your period?
Yes, you need to have a urine STD (sexually transmitted disease) test during your period as per the guidance of your healthcare provider, if required. It is wise to say here that if you are in doubt whether your period may affect your test result if taken in the first 2-3 days of your period, then you can consult the health facility for better guidance and care.
- Can you take a urine test with a tampon in it?
No, it is not recommended to take a urine test with a tampon because it may interfere with the process. While taking test samples, there is a chance of getting an inaccurate result.
So you need to make sure that you are giving urine samples for testing purposes, and they should be handled with care. It is recommended to remove the tampon for a better result.
In case of any questions, you can consult your healthcare provider on how to carry out the procedure as advised by them before the test.
Conclusion: We hope all the information provided above is clear on when you can take a drug test on your period. Taking a urine drug test while on your period is complicated, but it does not affect your result. There is no tension, but you can consult a doctor for better guidance and care.
