Home pregnancy tests are very accurate if done according to the package instructions and if completed at the right time, i.e. the first day after the period is due and onwards after that. However, to confirm a result, the best thing to do is to repeat the test three to five days after the first test. Show
Even though urine tests are usually accurate, there are other unexplainable changes to your menstrual cycle that can cause concerns and doubts with the result, like when your test is negative, but your period is still late. The best way to confirm a suspected pregnancy is with a blood test that confirms the presence of bHCG hormones in the blood. However, below are some reasons why a home pregnancy test can show a negative result when you are, in fact, pregnant: 1. Completing a test too earlyThis is one of the most common reasons for a false negative test. Many women will complete a pregnancy test as soon as they feel symptoms of early pregnancy, like sore breasts or changes to vaginal discharge. However, the best way to guarantee a correct result is to wait for your period to be late, and then to do the test a few days later. This allows the body enough time to produce sufficient HCG hormones to be detected in a urine test. Read more about how to correctly complete a home pregnancy test. 2. Irregular cyclesWhen your menstrual cycle is irregular, negative pregnancy tests are actually more likely to occur. This is because, just like above, the urine test is completed too early, before a period is actually late, resulting in a negative test. If you cycles are usually irregular, you should only complete a test two to three weeks after your predicted period. You should track your period symptoms to have a better understanding of when your period is due to start. 3. Ectopic pregnancyAn ectopic pregnancy is a rare condition. It occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. In these cases, the body takes longer to produce HCG hormone, and the result can appear negative even if fertilization has occurred. This type of pregnancy is a medical emergency that should be terminated as soon as possible, as it can cause serious damage to the woman’s reproductive system. A few signs that can indicate a possible ectopic pregnancy are intense abdominal pain, vomiting, vaginal bleeding, or feeling of abdominal heaviness. If you have these symptoms, proceed immediately to the hospital to confirm diagnosis and initiate treatment. 4. BreastfeedingWhen a woman is breastfeeding, the body takes longer to return to its initial pre-pregnancy state. Therefore, it is possible for a woman’s cycle to be irregular initially, even though she used to have a regular cycle before. This may result in a false negative, as an expected period is not actually delayed yet, leading to an early pregnancy test. 5. Expired or mishandled testThis may be the rarest cause, however it is possible that a pregnancy test has expired and no longer functioning properly. When a test is not used vy its valid date, the presence of HCG may not be detected, resulting a negative test. It is very important to check the expiration date on the package before using it. Additionally, if pregnancy tests are not stored properly, even though they are within the expiry date, they may not give an accurate result. For those reasons, if you suspect that the test is not reporting the correct result, you should complete another one. What can cause a delayed periodIf your period is delayed and a pregnancy test confirms a negative result, you are advised to repeat the test in a few days. If the second test is still negative even when your period is still late, likelihood of pregnancy is low. There are many factors that can influence your cycle and cause a delayed period when you are not pregnant. Some causes of a delayed period are:
Learn about what else can cause a late period. If your period is late and multiple home pregnancy tests confirm a negative result, you should consult your doctor to identify whether there is another factor influencing the delay. They may be able to indicate appropriate treatment based on the diagnosis. Am J Public Health. 1982
September; 72(9): 1034–1036. This study investigated the prevalence of home pregnancy kit use, incidence of false-negative results, and compliance with testing procedures. Among 144 pregnant women, identified through three health care settings, prevalence of test-kit use was 28.5 per cent. The false-negative rate was 24.3 per cent. Total compliance with instructions was reported by only 32 per cent of users. Women testing less than
nine days after menstrual period was due had false-negative rates of 33 per cent contrasted with 21 per cent for those testing after the nine days. Full text is available as a scanned copy of the original print version. Get a printable copy (PDF file) of the complete article (402K), or click on a page image below to browse page by
page. Links to PubMed are also available for Selected References. Selected ReferencesThese references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
Articles from American Journal of Public Health are provided here courtesy of American Public Health Association How common are false negative tests pregnancy?Home pregnancy tests are usually accurate, but researchers estimate that up to 5% of tests give a false negative — meaning the test says you aren't pregnant when you actually are. There are a few reasons why you might get a false negative. You might be taking the test too early or after drinking too much water.
How often do false pregnancy tests happen?A 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.
Should I be worried about a false negative pregnancy test?A false negative pregnancy test is when you are pregnant but the test comes up negative. The most common reason for a false negative is that you took the test too early.1 Even if your period is late according to your typical cycle, you might have ovulated later in the month.
How many pregnancy tests should I take to confirm negative?Most pregnancy tests include instructions that encourage you to wait at least one week between a negative test and taking another pregnancy test. This is to allow time for your body to build up enough hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) to be detected in your urine.
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How frequent are false negative pregnancy tests
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