by Many companies have a rule that new employees have to give a drug test. This drug test helps in the detection of harmful substances in the blood. Through this test, the company will know if the employee is involved in drug abuse or not.
If the drug test is on the same date as your period it can be a little stressful for you. You must be wondering if can you take a drug test while on your period.
Although you do not have to stress out about periods if you are giving blood, saliva, or hair sample for the drug test. However, if he specifically talks about your urine test, then most of the women get worried as they have concerned that the urine sample will be contaminated by period blood.
The Menstruation blood does not Alter The urine samples. It has zero impact on the urine sample constitution. However, it can give false visual results. When you take urine samples during periods, it can change the appearance of the sample.
You do not need to worry because there are many ways through which you can give a urine sample during periods. In this article, we will also answer whether can you take a drug test while on your period.
What is Urinalysis?
Urinalysis is a process of testing urine constituents. This method either can detect any disorder or possible drug substances present in the urine. If a person is a drug addict, through a urine sample you can detect drug substances and their quantity.
Urinalysis is an excellent method by which you can test prescribed and illegal drugs, it is a painless quick easy, and pocket-friendly method to detect drug substances in the body. With this method, one can detect drugs like opiates, cocaine, amphetamine, THC, PCP, and methamphetamine.
Common reasons to take a drug test
The following are the most common reasons for taking a drug test.
⦁ If you are a new employee, many companies follow the procedure of taking a drug test.
⦁ If a company has SAMHSA’s Drug-free workplace program. Whenever the company asks, the employees must give a drug test.
⦁ You may also be required to give a drug test if you are applying for the immigration process and in an accident matter.
⦁ If you are looking for a Federal government transportation-related job, you need to take a drug test.
Results of Urinalysis
Once you will give your urine sample for the drug test, there are two possibilities,
⦁ When your result is negative, you will receive the report within 24 hours.
⦁ When your result is positive, it will take 3-7 days.
Can you take a drug test while on your period?
Yes, you can take a urine test during menstruation. But, we will suggest you avoid the test during the period as blood can contaminate the sample. During the first 3 days of periods, the blood flow is heavy which can lead to false visual results.
A Urine test is performed with the first or second urine of the morning. Apart from urine tests, there are many other options such as saliva, hair follicle, blood, and other biological samples through which one can detect drug abuse. If you will give the samples, you can save yourself from the embarrassment of contaminating urine samples with menstruation blood.
Things to consider before and after drug test during periods?
If you do not have any other option rather than giving a urine sample during periods then the following is a list of points you should consider before and after giving a drug test.
⦁ Try to give the urine sample after two days of periods, when the urine flow is light.
⦁ Wash the vaginal area and clean it with toilet paper.
⦁ When you will urinate collect the sample after a few seconds. To avoid the contamination of blood with urine.
⦁ Before taking a urine sample you can wear a tampon. By wearing a tampon, you can collect blood-free samples.
⦁ If there is contamination in your first sample, you can try another.
⦁ Suppose you are unable to collect the urine sample without contamination. Ask the technician, to collect the urine sample directly from the bladder with the help of a catheter.
How many days you should wait after menstruation to take a drug test
Usually, menstruation bleeding takes place in 3 to 7 days. Once the period stops after 7 days, you can take a urine drug test. However, if you have the urine test appointment on the same date as your period, you can communicate with the office management or the technician to reschedule it.
If they do not reschedule it, the only option left behind is to give the sample. The blood in the urine does not contaminate the urine sample, however, the samples will get rejected on visual testing. It is best not to take the risk of giving urine samples during your period days.
On the basis of a false visual result, there is a possibility that the company can reject you. Companies set a date for the test, and you can communicate with the management. Even if they plan a drug test all of a sudden then you can tell them your concerns.
Does menstrual blood affect a urine drug test?
Menstruation does not affect the constitution of the urine drug sample. However, menstruation can change the color of a urine sample from transparent pale yellow to red.
There are two methods for urine test analysis.
⦁ Visual test- In a visual urine test, they look at the color and appearance of the urine sample. Commonly urine is transparent or pale yellow in color.
⦁ Checking composition of urine- It is a microbiological examination of a urine sample in which the constituents of the urine are detected. If a person is a drug abuser he will have precipitates of the drug in the sample.
Period blood will impact the visual test giving a false result. It does not have any effect on the composition test results.
Conclusion
If it is about your job or any other legal matter then you should avoid giving a urine drug test during periods. Either you can reschedule it or ask them to collect different biological samples for the test.
However, if your company management does not agree. And you are wondering can you take a drug test on your period. The answer is yes, if you take the above-mentioned precautions while collecting the urine sample you can collect the sample without blood contamination.
