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It is natural to second guess something as life-changing as a pregnancy test can be. So, can you really get a false pregnancy test? It turns out there are several reasons why your test may not be as accurate as you thought. As much as five percent of all pregnancy tests report false-negative results. We spoke to Dr. Jessica Ryniec of CCRM Fertility Boston, MD Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, to understand what can cause false-negative and positive pregnancy tests. How to Take and Read a Pregnancy TestBefore we address the causes of potential false positive and negative tests, we should cover how to take a pregnancy test. For the best chance of accurate results, wait 1-2 weeks after missing your period before testing and use urine from your first-morning pee.
There are three possible outcomes for your pregnancy test results:
Causes of False-Positive Pregnancy TestsFirst off, it’s essential to be sure your pregnancy test is free of user error. According to Ryniec, common user errors with pregnancy tests are:
The most common cause of a positive pregnancy test that doesn’t result in a pregnancy is a biochemical pregnancy. These pregnancies occur when sperm meets an egg, leading to an embryo that implants, but the pregnancy doesn’t progress. “Biochemical pregnancies can cause you to get your period just a few days to a week later than expected,” says Ryniec. A similar cause of false pregnancy tests can occur when you experience an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies are typically discovered during the first six to eight weeks of pregnancy, when a fertilized egg gets stuck on its way to your uterus, most commonly, in the fallopian tubes. A fertilized egg cannot survive outside of the uterus, leading to miscarriage. Ectopic pregnancies are rare, accounting for one to two percent of all miscarriages. It is important to note that while rare, ectopic pregnancies are a health risk that can cause organ damage and death. If you are concerned that you may be experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, speak to your health care provider immediately. Signs of an ectopic pregnant include:
“You may also get a false-positive test if you are checking too soon after miscarriage or giving birth,” explains Ryniec. The pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) level can stay elevated for up to six weeks after a miscarriage and can cause a false-positive. Medical conditions can also result in false-positive tests. Certain types of cancer, chronic kidney disease, or ovarian disease can cause false-positives. Finally, sometimes women can have high levels of pregnancy hormones after menopause, and these elevated hormones can cause a false-positive test. Causes of False-Negative Pregnancy TestsFalse-negative pregnancy tests are much more common than false-positive tests. The user errors discussed above are common causes of false-negative tests, for example:
Medications Can Cause False Pregnancy TestsCertain types of medications can also cause false-positive or negative pregnancy tests. For example, drugs used for infertility treatments to stimulate ovulation can cause false-positives, but there are some other rare interactions with different medication types. Some types of medications that can cause false-positive or negative tests include:
When in Doubt, Check With Your DoctorAt-home pregnancy tests have been on the market since 1976. Although using hCG as a marker for pregnancy is reasonably accurate, due to user error, faulty tests, and the possibility of failed pregnancies or medication causing inaccurate results, it may be necessary to visit your doctor to be sure of pregnancy. Despite claims of tests being “over 99%” accurate, many of the over-the-counter pregnancy tests have not been tested in independent studies to prove their factual accuracy. Tools such as ultrasounds can give a much clearer picture of whether your pregnancy test result is accurate. reactions
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But you can learn a whole lot from our website and our experts and contributors who write here. Get all their valuable insights delivered to your inbox every week. No thanks What are the chances of a falseA false-positive test result only happens less than 1% of the time, but when it does, it can make the following days or weeks confusing before you realize you're not actually pregnant.
What can trigger false pregnancy test?Certain medications may cause false-positive pregnancy tests by raising a person's hormone levels in their blood and urine. Certain infertility and weight loss treatments may contain synthetic hCG and cause false-positive results in blood tests.
What else could cause a positive pregnancy test?If you've been taking fertility medications, that hCG might still be floating around your system. That could trigger a positive pregnancy test, even if you're not pregnant. To avoid that mix-up, wait at least two weeks after your last hCG injection to take a home pregnancy test, he says.
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