reviewed byDra. Johanna Pikeon February 27, 2019
Written by Jennifer Walker.
If you don't get your period, you might be wondering, "Am I pregnant?" You may be feeling a little queasy, your breasts are tender, or you are experiencing other pains.first signs of pregnancy, but you took the test and the result says you are not pregnant. You must be wondering: can I trust the results? Sometimes you get onefalse negativeon your pregnancy test, which means you are pregnant, but the test says otherwise. On the other hand, you may miss your period, but you are not pregnant. Read on to find out what a negative pregnancy test result means.
index
- Why did I get a negative test result?
- Elevated pregnancy hormone (hCG) in early pregnancy
- Is it possible to be pregnant and get a negative pregnancy test result?
- What happens if my pregnancy test is negative and I don't have a period?
- When is it too soon to try?
- Do I have to take the test first thing in the morning?
- Can I take the wrong test?
- What if there is a problem with the test?
- I had a negative result, what should I do next?
- A pregnancy test works by detecting the hormone hCG, which is normally only present in your body when you're pregnant.
- Your hCG levels will increase over time when you are pregnant.
- A negative pregnancy test result means that the test did not detect any hCG in the urine.
- If your period is very late or if you miss your period and get a negative result, you are unlikely to be pregnant.
- If you test before your expected period, you may be pregnant, but your hCG levels will be too low for the test to detect.
- You may get a negative result if you test early, if you don't pass your first urine of the day, if you drink too much fluid, or if the test is not sensitive enough to test early, even if you are pregnant.
Why did I get a negative test result?
You may get a negative result on yourpregnancy testfor two reasons: you are not pregnant, or you are pregnant, but you took the pregnancy test too early to detect the "pregnancy" hormone hCG in your body.
Pregnancy tests work by picking up (detecting) a hormone known as hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is produced when you become pregnant and will continue to increase during the first few months of pregnancy. In the graph below you can see how hCG levels increase from ovulation to the absence of menstruation.
Elevated pregnancy hormone (hCG) in early pregnancy
relative hCG
concentration
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Ovulation
At this time, hCG may appear in the urine.
On day one you can test with the Clearblue® Early Detection Pregnancy Test
Intended
extra hour
omitted
extra hour
days before missed period
view in full screen
Adapted from: Gnoth C. and Johnson S. Rays of Hope: Accuracy of Home Pregnancy Tests and New Developments. Obstetrics Gynecology 2014;74(7):661-669.
If you test too early, a test may not detect enough hCG to test positive. If you test before your expected period, you may see a negative result even if you are pregnant if:
- Your test was not sensitive enoughfirst tests.
- You didn't use the first urine of the day, so the concentration of hCG in your urine was not high enough.
- You drank too much fluid before the test and diluted the hormone in your urine.
But what if you get a negative result and your period is late? Most likely you are not pregnant and your period is late or missed due to stress or illness. If the test is negative and has not been done before, you may have missed your period. e:
- you still
- you were sick
- You have irregular periods (for example, due toPCO-Syndrome, often called PCOS)
- you were on your way
- you didn't sleep well
- you were under a lot of stress
- You are taking fertility drugs like Clomid®
- You haven't menstruated for months.
- Are you in menopause or perimenopause?
Consult your doctor for further advice if you are concerned about aMissed or skipped period.
Is it possible to be pregnant and get a negative pregnancy test result?
If possible. A negative result doesn't mean you're not pregnant, it could just mean your hCG levels aren't high enough for the test to detect the hormone in your urine. Even the most sensitiveearly detection’, available pregnancy tests can only detect pregnancy up to six days before your missed period (i.e., five days before your period is due), and even then, these tests won’t detect all pregnancies that early.
If you test too early, your test may only detect hCG in your morning urine, when it's most concentrated. For this reason, it is also important not to drink too much water before taking a home pregnancy test, as this can also dilute your hCG levels.
Other reasons for a negative test result during pregnancy could be that you are using aProof that it has expired(check date on packaging) or improperly stored (you must store your test at 2-30°C).
There's also an incredibly rare chance that you'll have one.Ectopic pregnancythis does not give a positive result: less than 3% of ectopic pregnancies test negative.
If you get a negative test result and think you are still pregnant, take another test on the day you expect your period. If your period is late, test again three days later. If you are still not sure, talk to your doctor.
What happens if my pregnancy test is negative and I don't have a period?
It's easy to assume that a missed period means you're pregnant, but sometimes your period is late for other reasons. First, the length of your menstrual cycle can vary between cycles, and in fact, 46% of cycles can vary.seven days or more🇧🇷 Your period may be very late or even absent for the following reasons:
- illness
- travel
- sleep bad
- very high load
You may also have irregular periods after having a baby and breastfeeding. If you've recently given birth and are breastfeeding, your period may not return until you stop breastfeeding, but that doesn't mean you can't get pregnant. So don't forget to use birth control if it's not in your plan!
Another reason for irregular or missed periods is that you are approaching menopause. But even if you're over 45 and you notice that you're missing your period, it's still a good idea to take a pregnancy test, just in case.
Birth control pills can also affect the regularity of your periods if you stop taking them. This is because hormonal contraceptives actually control your menstrual cycles while you're on them, so they can be irregular for the first few months as your body "recalibrates".
If you haven't had your period in months and you're not pregnant, it could be due to a hormonal imbalance, side effect of medication, excessive exercise, or being overweight or underweight. If you haven't had your period for months, see your doctor to find out the cause.
When is it too soon to try?
It depends on the exam. Some tests are sensitive enough to detect hCG in urine.six days before missed period(that's five days before you expect your period). Read the instructions on the package to understand what the brand of test you use for early detection means. Some women still prefer to get tested on the day they expect their period, when all home pregnancy tests are over 99% accurate.
Conception usually occurs about two weeks before your expected period. If you are trying to have a baby, you can use aovulation testnot only to know your peak fertile days, but it also tells you about your cycle so you know when it's best to get tested. This can help you feel more confident about the results you're seeing.
Do I have to take the test first thing in the morning?
Unless you test it early. If not, your test should detect hCG any time of day when you're pregnant. However, if you are taking a pregnancy test before your missed period, it is best to do it first thing in the morning when hCG levels are at their highest.
You can also dilute the amount of hCG in your urine by drinking lots of fluids, so try not to drink more than usual.
Can I take the wrong test?
It is important that you carefully read and follow the instructions that come with your test. So you can be sure you can trust the result. Some tests are easier to read than others because a test that gives a result on words like "pregnant" or "not pregnant" is clear, while visual tests that require you to interpret the lines can be more difficult and leave you confused. may ask if you are pregnant or not. If you have doubts about the correct reading of the result and the uncertainty makes you anxious, take an easy-to-read test such asClearblue digital pregnancy test, so you can be sure of the displayed result.
You can see what a negative pregnancy test result looks like in our infographic below.
What if there is a problem with the test?
You can get a false negative result with a pregnancy test that is past its expiration date, so check the packaging before using it.
I had a negative result, what should I do next?
If you're still not sure of the result, wait until the day of your expected period to test, or if you haven't gotten your period yet, test again in three days with a trusted brand name pregnancy test and follow the instructions. instructions carefully. You can also consult your doctor if you have any concerns. You can get tested at the clinic, or your doctor may recommend another type of test.
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FAQs
Why am I testing negative but no period? ›
It is possible that although an egg may be fertilized, your body has not started secreting enough hCG to register as positive on a test. Your body needs time for the hormone to rise to a high enough level to be detected. Most brands instruct you to wait until the first day of your missed period to test.
How late can a period be without being pregnant? ›However, healthy cycles typically range from 21 to 35 days (three to five weeks). Unless a medical condition causes irregular cycles, most women probably have at least a rough idea of when to expect their next period. A period is considered late if it has not started within seven days (one week) of when it is expected.
How long does it take for hCG to show up in urine? ›hCG is a hormone produced by your placenta when you are pregnant. It appears shortly after the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. If you are pregnant, this hormone increases very rapidly. If you have a 28 day menstrual cycle, you can detect hCG in your urine 12-15 days after ovulation.
Can too much pee on a pregnancy test make it negative? ›Yes! Drinking too much water — or any liquid — can affect a pregnancy test. The hormone hCG is more concentrated in your urine first thing in the morning. If you haven't missed your period yet, your hCG level may not be high enough to be detected in more diluted urine.
What are the signs of hidden pregnancy? ›With a cryptic pregnancy, the symptoms can be similar to a typical pregnancy, including nausea, vomiting, sore back, fatigue, headaches or migraine, heartburn, or changes in appetite and taste.
Why am I 2 days late and negative pregnancy test? ›There may be many different reasons for a negative pregnancy test after a missed period. You may be dealing with an undiagnosed medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, or it could be a lifestyle issue, such as extreme stress.
What causes a pregnancy test to be negative when pregnant? ›You might get a false-negative if you: Take the test too early. The earlier you take a home pregnancy test, the harder it is for the test to find HCG . For the most accurate results, take a home pregnancy test after the first day of a missed period.
How soon will a pregnancy test read positive? ›In many cases, you might get a positive result from an at-home test as early as 10 days after conception. For a more accurate result, wait until after you've missed your period to take a test. Remember, if you take a test too soon, it could be negative even if you're pregnant.
What is the most sensitive pregnancy test? ›If you just can't wait, the First Response Early Result test is what you want to grab. It's the most sensitive over-the-counter pregnancy test, and can accurately tell you if you're pregnant up to five days before your period is due.
What can create a false negative pregnancy test? ›False negative pregnancy tests are “almost always” caused by timing, meaning the user is testing too soon, according to Dr. Price. If someone tests too early in their cycle, the placenta may not have produced enough hCG for the test to detect it yet.
Can it take longer to detect hCG? ›
It can take several days for HCG levels to rise high enough for a test to detect the hormone. The earlier a person takes the home pregnancy test, the more difficult it is to detect this hormone. HCG blood tests can detect pregnancy about 10 days after conception, while urine tests generally take 2 or more weeks.
Is it better to dip or pee on a pregnancy test? ›Should I dip my home pregnancy test in urine, or pee on it? Most tests allow you to either place the absorbent tip in your urine stream for (usually) five seconds or dip the tip in a collected urine sample for five to 20 seconds. Accuracy is not dependent on the method as long as you follow the instructions.
Can I be 5 weeks pregnant and still test negative? ›The hook effect incorrectly gives you a negative result on a pregnancy test. This can happen during early pregnancy or in rare cases — even into the third trimester, when it's pretty clear you're preggers. During pregnancy your body makes a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG).
What can delay your period? ›- pregnancy.
- stress.
- sudden weight loss.
- being overweight.
- doing too much exercise.
- taking the contraceptive pill.
- the menopause.
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
It's possible to check the position and firmness of your cervix at home. You can do this by inserting a finger into your vagina to feel for the cervix. Your middle finger may be the most effective finger to use because it's the longest, but use whichever finger is easiest for you.
Why is my period 2 weeks late not pregnant? ›Causes of absent menstruation
Natural causes most likely to cause amenorrhea include pregnancy, breast-feeding, and menopause. Lifestyle factors may include excessive exercise and stress. Also, having too little body fat or too much body fat may also delay or stop menstruation. Hormonal imbalances may cause amenorrhea.
An early pregnancy test can read positive as soon as 11-15 days after conception, 1 day after a missed period. However, more accurate results can be obtained 2 days after a missed period. A home pregnancy test detects the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is produced in a pregnant woman.
Can you have a negative pregnancy test then a positive the next day? ›It's possible to get a negative pregnancy test result followed by a positive result, especially if you tested early. This is because hCG levels rise rapidly in the first few days after implantation. It's also possible to get a positive test result followed by a negative result.
Can a pregnancy test be wrong? ›Home pregnancy tests can be up to 99% accurate. However, in some instances, they may produce a false-positive result. Incorrect test usage, previous abortions and miscarriages, and some medications may lead to a false-positive pregnancy test result. People should always see their doctor after a positive pregnancy test.
Can twins cause false negative pregnancy test? ›Lastly: sometimes twin or higher order multiple pregnancies, in which levels of hCG are very high, can cause a false negative pregnancy test. This is called the high-dose hook effect. 4 It's unusual, but possible. if you miss a period and have pregnancy symptoms, see your doctor.
What pregnancy tests detect the lowest amount of hCG? ›
Generally, most home pregnancy tests claim to detect hCG levels from 25 mIU/ml. However, some tests, such as the Clearblue Early Detection Pregnancy Test, are so sensitive they can detect hCG levels as low as 10 mIU/ml.
Are Dollar Store pregnancy tests accurate? ›The answer is yes.
So, women asking the big question can rest assured that tests from both the drugstore and the dollar store are a safe bet. The more expensive versions may be easier to use or more sensitive (so you'll know the answer sooner). But the bargain ones will work and are accurate.
- DON'T Drink Alcohol, Smoke or Take Illegal Drugs if You Think You Might be Pregnant. ...
- DON'T Ignore Common Pregnancy Symptoms. ...
- DON'T Drink Too Much Water Prior to Taking a Pregnancy Test. ...
- DON'T Take a Negative Home Pregnancy Test Result at Face Value. ...
- DON'T Panic.
Depending on when you're taking it, there might be some benefit in taking one test and then a second one (again, a few days later). But cleaning out the entire drugstore shelf to be really certain? Yeah, no. Stick with two or go see your doctor to put any uncertainty at ease.
What color is your urine when you are pregnant? ›Normally, the color of urine can be light yellow or yellow to transparent. But for a pregnant woman, this change is more prominent and noticeable. The urine color can change from light yellow to dark yellow. It can go to an orange-yellow shade too.
How common are false negative pregnancy tests? ›“The false negative rate, if done appropriately, is less than 1%.” If someone waits until the appropriate point in their menstrual cycle and ensures that their urine is concentrated enough at the time of testing, then it's highly unlikely that an at-home pregnancy test will provide incorrect results, he explains.
How many tests should I take to confirm pregnancy? ›Depending on when you're taking it, there might be some benefit in taking one test and then a second one (again, a few days later). But cleaning out the entire drugstore shelf to be really certain? Yeah, no. Stick with two or go see your doctor to put any uncertainty at ease.
What can cause a negative pregnancy test? ›- Take the test too early. The earlier you take a home pregnancy test, the harder it is for the test to find HCG . ...
- Check test results too soon. Set a timer to go off at the time the test directions say you should check the result. ...
- Take the test later in the day.
In the first four weeks of a viable pregnancy, hCG levels will typically double about every two to three days. After six weeks, the levels will double about every 96 hours. So, if your baseline level is higher than 5 mIU/mL, your doctor may order a repeat test a couple days later to see if the number doubles.
Can twins cause a negative pregnancy test? ›Lastly: sometimes twin or higher order multiple pregnancies, in which levels of hCG are very high, can cause a false negative pregnancy test. This is called the high-dose hook effect.
Can a positive pregnancy test take awhile to show? ›
Traces of hCG can be found in your urine from 6 days after the fertilised egg implants in your womb (uterus). The amount continues to build each day. Most pregnancy tests give an accurate result from the first day of your missed period.