5 reasons for a false negative pregnancy test

The result of a pharmacy pregnancy test is generally quite reliable, as long as it is done according to the instructions on the package and at the correct time, that is, from the 1st day of your missed period. However, to confirm the result, it is best to always repeat the test 2 to 4 days after the first result.

Although the tests are quite reliable, there are often unexplained changes in a woman’s menstrual cycle, which can cause several doubts, especially when the pregnancy test is negative, but the period continues without appearing.

So, we have put together some causes that can lead to a false negative, which happens when the woman is actually pregnant, but the test comes back negative. It is important to remember that the best way to confirm a suspected pregnancy is to go to the gynecologist to do a blood test and measure bHCG hormone levels. Find out more about this test and how it is done.

1. The test was done too early

This is the main reason for a false negative and happens when a woman suspects she is pregnant and, therefore, feels some symptoms that she believes are the first signs of pregnancy, such as breast pain, feeling the need to take the test as soon as possible.

However, the best way to guarantee the result is to wait for a delay in menstruation, and even take the test a few days after this delay, so that the body has time to produce the bHCG hormone in sufficient quantity to be eliminated in the urine and detected by the test. of pharmacy. Understand better how the pharmacy pregnancy test works.

2. A woman’s cycle is irregular

When a woman’s menstrual cycle is irregular, there is also a high chance that the pregnancy test will be negative. This happens because the test was probably done before the menstrual delay and the woman is just having a period that is more late than normal.

Therefore, the best way to ensure that the result is true, in the case of a woman with an irregular cycle, is to take the test just 2, or more, after sexual intercourse. See how the irregular cycle works.

3. It’s an ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a relatively rare situation, in which the egg, after being fertilized, implants itself in a location other than the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. In these cases, the body takes longer to produce the bHCG hormone and, therefore, the result may be negative even if fertilization has occurred.

This type of pregnancy is a medical emergency that must be terminated as quickly as possible, as it can cause serious damage to the woman’s reproductive system. Some signs that may indicate a possible ectopic pregnancy include severe pain in the stomach, nausea, vaginal bleeding or a feeling of heaviness near the vagina. If the woman presents these signs, she should quickly go to the hospital to confirm the diagnosis and begin terminating the pregnancy. See how to identify a possible ectopic pregnancy.

4. The woman is breastfeeding

When a woman is breastfeeding, the body slowly regulates itself over time, especially in the production of hormones. Therefore, it is possible for a woman to have a very irregular cycle initially, even if previously she had always had a regular cycle.

For this reason, some women may think they are pregnant when their period is late. Therefore, it is possible that the pregnancy test will be negative because your period is just late. Understand whether it is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding.

5. The pregnancy test is out of date

Although it is a rarer cause, it is possible that the pregnancy test was sold out of date. When this happens, the reagent used to identify the presence of the bHCG hormone may be working incorrectly, giving a false negative result.

Therefore, it is very important to check the expiration date on the test packaging before use. Furthermore, some tests may have been poorly stored and, even if they are within the deadline, they may work incorrectly. For these reasons, whenever there is a suspicion that the test is not giving a correct result, you should buy another one from the pharmacy and repeat the test.

What can cause a delay in menstruation

When you have done the test correctly, at the right time and even repeated the test, but the result continues to be negative and your period still does not appear, it is likely that you are not actually pregnant. This is because there are many other factors that can cause a delay in menstruation, other than pregnancy.

Some causes include:

• Excessive stress and anxiety;
• Practicing intense physical exercise for a long time;
• Thyroid problems;
• Very restrictive diets.

Therefore, if your period is late and there is no positive pregnancy test, it is best to consult your gynecologist to identify whether there is any other cause that could be causing this delay, initiating appropriate treatment.

Check out the 12 main causes of late menstruation and what to do.