A false negative pregnancy test?
A woman who experiences a negative pregnancy test with a missed period may become confused. Although menstruation is a disturbance, every woman waits for the monthly menstruation if they do not expect a baby.
A couple may expect a positive pregnancy test result when the female partner misses her period. However, unfortunately, there are instances where they receive a negative pregnancy test. However, the results may be wrong, and you will have a question about whether the negative result is 100% accurate or not.
Home pregnancy tests are considered more accurate when the test is performed according to the given instructions. Whatever the result is, it is instructed to repeat the test to confirm the result you got in the previous attempt.
Although the home pregnancy tests are considered accurate, unexpected changes within the test kits and within the menstruation cycle alter the test. So you may have doubts regarding your pregnancy test result. To clear the doubt, you can meet a physician to participate in a blood pregnancy test.
What are the possible reasons for false negative pregnancy tests?
Taking the test too early
Taking the test early is the main issue associated with false negative pregnancy test results. Many couples try to confirm their pregnancy as soon as possible. However, if the woman experiences early pregnancy symptoms, the urine may not contain enough HCG hormone to read the test as positive.
The best-recommended method is to wait until you miss your period. It is more accurate if you can wait another 2-3 days after reaching the expected date of menstruation. The placenta will produce HCG only after completing the implantation process. Although the woman is already pregnant, enough HCG hormone will appear a few days later.
Irregular menstruation cycles
False negative pregnancy tests are more common among women with irregular menstruation cycles. When the woman is unaware of the expected date of menstruation or if the woman fails to predict the next cycle date, then she will fail to get accurate pregnancy test results.
When a woman has an irregular cycle, the ovulation date may differ and alter the next menstruation. Therefore, this can be the reason for receiving a false negative test because maybe she is still in her early pregnancy stage.
Ectopic pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancies are rare. When the embryo fails to reach the uterus and gets implanted within it, we call it an ectopic pregnancy, as the embryo is implanted in an extra-uterine location. Fallopian tubes are the most common place for ectopic pregnancies. Therefore it takes more time to initiate HCG production, and HCG levels will not rise as in a normal pregnancy.
Although the woman is pregnant, the pregnancy tests will appear negative due to lower HCG hormone levels. Ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency where immediate medical consultation is required. When the fetus grows outside the uterus, commonly inside the fallopian tube, the tube gets ruptured and causes internal bleeding. Therefore, early diagnosis is essential.
When you get a negative pregnancy test with intensive pain around the abdomen, vomiting, bleeding, and abdominal heaviness, make an immediate appointment with a physician.
During breastfeeding
When a mother breastfeeds her baby, the body takes more time to return to the pre-pregnancy stage. Therefore the physiological functioning will be irregular even after the delivery. It is common to experience irregular menstruation cycles during breastfeeding.
Therefore there is a chance of experiencing negative pregnancy tests although the woman is pregnant again.
Mishandled pregnancy tests
Reading and understanding the instructions given with the pregnancy test packing is essential. Other than that, remember to check the expiry date of the test kit. If the test kit is expired, the reactive agents will not react as usual with the HCG hormone. Therefore the test kit fails to detect the HCG hormone within the urine.
Other than the expiry date, the sealed packing and storage conditions needed to consider before performing the test. The instructions can be followed to make the test more accurate and reliable.
Summary
You rarely get a false negative pregnancy test result. However, there are instances where urine pregnancy tests will provide negative results, although you are pregnant. Testing your pregnancy too early and irregular menstruation cycles are the most common reasons for false negative results. If you feel like the results are wrong, you can repeat the test, or else you can meet a physician for a blood pregnancy test.