False-Negative Pregnancy Tests
At Your Options Medical, we have found that when many of our patients have a negative pregnancy test result, they assume they are not pregnant. However, this is not always the case. False negative pregnancy tests do occur. Here is how it works:
A urine pregnancy test detects the hormone called hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin). This is the hormone your body produces during pregnancy. When urine is being tested for the presence of this hCG hormone and a woman is pregnant, the result of the pregnancy test should read positive. However, there are a few reasons a pregnancy test can give a false test result including the following:
- In early pregnancy, the hCG hormone levels may be too low for a pregnancy test to detect. The earliest time to test for an accurate result is 7-10 days after a missed period.
- The best time of day to take a pregnancy test is first thing in the morning when a woman’s urine is highly concentrated. Because urine may be less concentrated later in the day, the test may not be able to detect the hCG hormone.
- If you have had a negative pregnancy test, but are experiencing pregnancy-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, tiredness, loss of appetite, etc. it is always best to contact your doctor to access for causes unrelated to pregnancy.
- There is always the possibility of human error when performing home pregnancy tests. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Most pregnancy tests require you to let the test set for 3-5 minutes. If the test is left beyond the recommended set time, this could produce a false test result.
- If you had a tubal ligation (i.e. tubes tied), are experiencing pregnancy-like symptoms, and test negative on a pregnancy test, contact your medical doctor to assess for causes unrelated to pregnancy.
If you think you might be pregnant because you have missed your period, know that there are other reasons besides pregnancy. To learn more, check out our blog.
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If you think you might be pregnant, Your Options Medical can offer you pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling at no cost to you and insurance is not required.
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Hi,
My LMP was still last Feb 27, 2023. and my last unprotected sex was at March 3. A week after that i started feeling sick, i had took many pregnancy test but it all came out negative but even so i still didn’t get my period, So to ease my mind at March 31,2023 I then took a beta hcg test to check if it would come out positive but the result was <0.01 and ruled out negative, still had pregnancy symptoms: nausea, increased body temperature, itching on hands and feet. Until i had a slight spotting at April 8 which started out light and end up bleeding heavy enough to fill one maxi pad that went away after 2 days. I also took another beta hcg test last April 22, but it never increased still <0.01 bea hcg result. But i still feel nauseous and might look like i have gained weight this last month. Is it possible to come out pregnant even if i had 2 negative beta hcg test 7 weeks after the time i had sex?
Hi Joanne,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical!
To answer your question, I cannot diagnose you. I can say that it is unlikely to be pregnant and have two negative beta hCG tests at that point in your cycle. At this point, you may want to set up an appointment with your own primary doctor or OB/GYN so your doctor can further assess your symptoms. If symptoms persist and pregnancy tests continue to be negative, seek medical attention.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Gladys, RN
Hi,
My LMP was still last Feb 27, 2023. and my last unprotected sex was at March 3. A week after that i started feeling sick, i had took many pregnancy test but it all came out negative but even so i still didn’t get my period, So to ease my mind at March 31,2023 I then took a beta hcg test to check if it would come out positive but the result was <0.01 and ruled out negative, still had pregnancy symptoms: nausea, increased body temperature, itching on hands and feet. Until i had a slight spotting at April 8 which started out light and end up bleeding heavy enough to fill one maxi pad that went away after 2 days. I also took another beta hcg test last April 22, but it never increased still <0.01 bea hcg result. But i still feel nauseous and might look like i have gained weight this last month. Is it possible to come out pregnant even if i had 2 negative beta hcg test 7 weeks after the time i had sex?
Hi Joanne,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical!
To answer your question, I cannot diagnose you. I can say that it is unlikely to be pregnant and have two negative beta hCG tests at that point in your cycle. At this point, you may want to set up an appointment with your own primary doctor or OB/GYN so your doctor can further assess your symptoms. If symptoms persist and pregnancy tests continue to be negative, seek medical attention.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Gladys, RN
I had an miscarriage on the 22nd of February and i got cleaned at my nearest clinic and i took contraceptive (injection) . I felt like i was not clean because i was bleeding not that much and the blood it was weak and i was using pantyline on the 16 of march i went to buy pills to clean my uterus. After taking the pills the bleeding stopped. On the 31st of march I had sex after 2 weeks i started getting sick pain on the side of my womb, lost appetite, headache and i took 5 pregnant test all the rest one line is clear the other one is a fainted line. I’m confused if possible that the test is picking up what happened on 22nd of February.
Hi Ntobeko,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical!
First, I am so sorry for your loss and everything you have been through. If you ever need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out.
To answer your question, typically hCG (pregnancy hormone) stays in a woman’s system approximately five weeks after a miscarriage. So it is possible that the pregnancy tests are detecting the hCG from your previous pregnancy. At this point, you may want to consider requesting a blood pregnancy test from your primary care physician or OB/GYN as these tests are more accurate at detecting pregnancy than urine tests. This way if pregnancy is ruled out, your doctor can further assess your symptoms. If symptoms persist and pregnancy tests continue to be negative, seek medical attention.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Gladys, RN
I found out i was pregnant on the 1st of February and on the 22nd of February i lost the pregnancy i was 7 weeks. I was cleaned at my nearest clinic and they gave me pills and a three months injection.
16 march i went to buy pills to clean my self coz i felt like i was not clean coz i was still bleeding it was a light blood and it was not that much i was using a pantyline.
I drank the pills and when I finish drinking i stopped bleeding . And on the 31st of March I had an unprotected sex and after 2 weeks I started getting sick lost appetite started having abdomen pain or its a pelvic pain. I took 5 test one line is clear the other one is a fainted line.
Hi Ntobeko,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical!
First, I am so sorry for your loss and everything you have been through. If you ever need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out.
To answer your question, typically hCG (pregnancy hormone) stays in a woman’s system approximately five weeks after a miscarriage. So it is possible that the pregnancy tests are detecting the hCG from your previous pregnancy. At this point, you may want to consider requesting a blood pregnancy test from your primary care physician or OB/GYN as these tests are more accurate at detecting pregnancy than urine tests. This way if pregnancy is ruled out, your doctor can further assess your symptoms. If symptoms persist and pregnancy tests continue to be negative, seek medical attention.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Gladys, RN
Hi, I had my tubes tied(clamped) back in 2014. I am currently 2.5 weeks late on my period and have never had this issue before as well as I’ve had sore breast as well as clear discharge along with lower abdominal pain on the left side. Could this be a sign of a tubal pregnancy? I’ve taken 2 at home test and both have came out negative. I’ve contacted my obgyn but am unable to get an appointment for 2 weeks. I’m not sure what’s going on or what to do.
Hi Melanie,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical!
First, I am sorry for all that you’re dealing with. Unfortunately, I cannot diagnose you. It is possible you might be experiencing a tubal (or ectopic) pregnancy, but your symptoms may have another cause. At this point, you may want to consider requesting a blood pregnancy test from your primary care physician or OB/GYN as these tests are more accurate at detecting pregnancy than urine tests. This way if pregnancy is ruled out, your doctor can further assess your symptoms. If symptoms persist and pregnancy tests continue to be negative, seek medical attention. If you begin to experience symptoms such as severe abdominal or pelvic pain along with vaginal bleeding or extreme lightheadedness or fainting, seek immediate medical attention.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Gladys, RN
Would a pregnancy test still be accurate 3 weeks after a suspected missed period? I couldn’t buy one any sooner. I had light bleeding on Jan 31 to February 4. Then brought a test 3 weeks later it was negative. I have a 36 day cycle. I was just stopping my last bc method. Then in march I had a heavyer period that lasted 10 days.
Hi G,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical!
To answer your question, typically a pregnancy test should be accurate three weeks after a missed period. At this point, you may want to consider requesting a blood pregnancy test from your primary care physician or OB/GYN as these tests are more accurate at detecting pregnancy than urine tests. This way if pregnancy is ruled out, your doctor can further assess your symptoms. It is also possible that the change in your cycle could be due to stopping birth control. Your doctor will be able to address these concerns.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Gladys, RN