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iStock Experiencing pregnancy symptoms but negative test results may be disheartening for women trying to conceive. The tests for pregnancy involve checking your blood or urine for the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone. Home pregnancy tests detect the presence of the hCG hormone in urine. hCG is produced in the body after the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus, and its levels increase in blood and urine during the first trimester. However, these tests
are not 100% accurate and may produce false-negative or false-positive results (1) (2) Continue reading this post to learn what may cause a negative pregnancy test despite having symptoms of pregnancy. Urine pregnancy tests may produce false-negative results, that is, the test may show you are not pregnant while you are actually carrying a baby. This may happen due to: The amount of hCG increases as the pregnancy progresses and may take some time to reach a level that a test is capable of
detecting (3). So, the test kit may fail to detect low levels of the hormone if tested too early and show a negative result. In such as case, you can test again after a week. Some test kits may instruct you to take the test on the day you expect your period to start. However, the FDA suggests taking a home pregnancy test one to two weeks after you miss your period to
obtain the most reliable results (4). 2. Having hormones in amounts lower than the detectable levelsCertain factors may be responsible for a low level of hCG hormone at the time of test (5) (6).
3. Diluted sampleIt is advised to use the first morning urine for the test as it is supposed to have the highest concentration of hCG (4). Drinking a lot of water before the test or even the night before may dilute the urine and reduce its hCG content below the detectable limit of the test. 4. Delay in taking the testThe
following situations may arise if there is a delay in taking the test (7) (8)
5. Erroneous methods or a faulty test kitThough the majority of the home pregnancy test kits follow similar methods, it is always advisable to read the instructions carefully before performing the test. Not following the instructions may cause errors in the results. A particular test kit may be faulty due to manufacturing defects or improper handling and storage. Additionally, ensure that the kit is new as the results may not be reliable past the expiry date. Conditions Causing Pregnancy Symptoms But Negative Pregnancy TestAll fertilized eggs may not result in a healthy pregnancy and may be associated with abnormal medical conditions such as:
Factors That May Make You Feel Pregnant When You Are NotHormonal fluctuations in the body may cause pregnancy-like symptoms. 1. Premenstrual syndromeIt is a group of symptoms that occur due to hormonal fluctuations before a menstrual period. The symptoms include breast swelling or tenderness, fatigue, mood fluctuations, and stomach discomfort that may resemble those during pregnancy (12). The hormone progesterone is considered responsible for it (13) (14). 2. OvulationSimilar symptoms but in milder forms may appear during the release of eggs from the ovaries (15). If the duration of your menstrual cycle varies, ovulation signs may be mistaken for signs of pregnancy. 3. MedicationsMedications used in fertility treatments consist of hormones, such as progesterone and gonadotropins, which are similar to the ones secreted by the body to initiate and maintain pregnancy. These agents may have side effects that resemble pregnancy symptoms if you are undergoing such treatments to assist fertility (16) (17). 4. PseudocyesisIt is a rare psychosomatic disorder where a woman falsely believes that she is pregnant and even manifests the signs and symptoms of pregnancy from irregular or no periods, distended abdomen, nausea and vomiting, breast shape and size changes to even sensing fetal movements and milk secretion. Several neuronal, hormonal, and pathological conditions (tumors, cysts, or fibroids in the reproductive organs) have been found responsible (18). Dealing With Stress When Trying To ConceiveThe waiting cycle of tracking your fertile days, trying to conceive, and testing for pregnancy can become stressful. However, you must remember that stress may reduce your chances of conceiving, and it is crucial to take care of your mental well-being in addition to your physical health (19). Take care of your mental health by (20):
Several symptoms similar to but unrelated to pregnancy may excite you when you are planning a pregnancy. For example, nausea and vomiting may be associated with indigestion or an intestinal infection and stomach cramps with frequent urination, a result of a urinary tract infection. Track your menstrual cycle accurately and undergo the pregnancy test at the recommended time. Two successive negative reports, one week apart, are seldom wrong. Make sure you strictly follow the instructions mentioned in the package insert. However, do not delay seeing a doctor if you continue experiencing pregnancy symptoms but negative test results. Key Pointers
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Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer. Her research work was published in international journals and publications, such... more Can you have all the pregnancy symptoms and still test negative?If you get a negative pregnancy test but still feel pregnant, you're likely to feel a bit confused. Your first instinct may be to question whether the test may have somehow gotten it wrong, especially if you feel you have pregnancy symptoms. And in truth, false negatives do sometimes happen, although they are rare.
Why do I feel pregnant but keep getting negative tests?Is it possible to be pregnant and get a negative pregnancy test result? Yes, it is possible. Getting a negative result doesn't mean you're not pregnant, it may just mean your hCG levels are not high enough for the test to detect the hormone in your urine.
What can mimic pregnancy symptoms?Women with pseudocyesis may also experience other pregnancy-like symptoms including:. Tender breasts.. Missed periods.. Morning sickness (nausea and vomiting). Changes in pigmentation and size of breasts.. Weight gain.. Lactation.. Increased appetite.. Inverted belly button.. |