Have you ever wondered what causes a false positive pregnancy test? Well even though it’s rare, it still does happen. No matter what, when you are taking a pregnancy test is an emotional roller coaster and it can become even harder when it comes to you getting a false positive pregnancy test result – the experience can be deeply upsetting, especially for anyone who has had difficulty getting pregnant or is actively hoping to get pregnant (or even both). The hope that you get when it comes to wanting to see that positive sign, for it to come crashing down as soon as you realise that it was a false positive pregnancy test? This feeling is a uniquely devastating emotion.
For sure, getting a false positive pregnancy test when your actively trying not to get pregnant can be just as horrible – finding yourself taking a panicked trip to the gynaecologist, just to learn there was nothing to stress over.
To give some peace of mind, experts say that false-positive pregnancy tests are rare, but this, unfortunately, doesn’t mind they can’t happen. If you carry on reading, I’ve listed some of the most common causes of a false positive pregnancy test, as well as some additional information that can help you put it all into context.
Firstly, What is a pregnacy test?
Before we go any further, that goes back to basics and just make sure that we are on the same page. A pregnancy test tells you if you’re pregnant or not – it as simple as that, but it can understandably be a little fuzzy area when it comes to the details of what these devices look for when it comes to identifying pregnancy.
How does a pregnancy test work?
NHS websites say “All pregnancy tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which starts to be produced around 6 days after fertilisation. Most pregnancy tests come in a box that contains 1 or 2 long sticks. You pee on the stick and the result appears on the stick after a few minutes. All tests are slightly different, so always check the instructions.”
Majority of test uses two lines to mean you’re pregnant and one line means you’re not – but this does depend on the test brand, as some use plus and minus signs and digital pregnancy tests have a screen that plainly reads “pregnant” or “not pregnant” – this can save you a lot of squinting or “Is that one or two line?!”.
It’s simple right?! Well, most at-home pregnancy tests claim to be 99% accurate. Ultrasound can’t typically detect a pregnancy until a little later in your pregnancy, this is why they are so useful but other elements can mess with pregnancy test results and tell you that you’re pregnant when you’re not pregnant.
What can cause a false positive pregnant test?
The following are the most likely reasons as to why you might end up with a false positive test:
- Your pregnancy test kit is expired
Once a test is passed its expiration date, the chemical that detects HCG doesn’t always work as it should, increasing your chances of having a false result.
- You’ve been taking fertility medication that raises hCG levels
If you’ve taken a pregnancy test soon after taking a fertility drug that contains hCG – like injection, that is often part of in vitro fertilisation – then there’s a much higher chance of you getting a false positive.
- You’ve left the test sit for too long before looking
With a standard pregnancy test that has line indicators, it is important for you to check the results according to the specific instrustions of the test, as if let it sit for too long before you look at it then the urine on the test can evaporate and causes it to look like two lines instead of just one. The way to get an accurate result is to read the test’s directions and follow them exactly.
- You will still have hCG in your system after a miscarriage or a delivery
Most miscarriages occur within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. While there aren’t any real statistics about how it happens, it’s estimated that many miscarriages occur before a woman even knows that they’re pregnant. Soon after you’ve either miscarried or given birth, hCG can persist in your body for months – it can take up to one to six weeks for hCG levels to return to normal.
- Recently had an ectopic pregnancy
If you’ve recently had an ectopic pregnancy, which is when a fertilised egg ends up growing outside the uterus – quite often in a fallopian tube, instead of inside the uterus. However, it’s still worth knowing that an ectopic pregnancy can also happen in other areas of the reproductive system such as the ovaries and cervix. The meaning of an ectopic pregnancy, is simply that the embryo isn’t visible since it wasn’t inside the uterus where it can grow and thrive. The embryo still produces hCG hormones, which can lead to a positive pregnancy test even though the pregnancy isn’t viable. Also even after treatment for an ectopic pregnancy (which can include surgery and medication), you may see a false positive pregnancy test result because it takes some time for the hCG levels to go down. Beware that an ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening, so make sure to call your doctor right away if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Severe dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
- Shoulder pain
- Severe pain in your abdomen or pelvis while pregnant
- An urge to poop (that’s out of the ordinary)
- Any other symptoms that are making you feel worried
- You’ve experience an extremely early misscarriage
I’ve put this last because it’s technically not a cause behind a false positive pregnancy test but it’s still worth covering as it often confused it being one. You might get your period a few days after a positive pregnancy test and then assume you’ve had a false-positive result. However, it could mean that you were pregnant but miscarried very early on. A chemical pregnancy occurs when a pregnancy is lost shortly after implantation – a woman will often experience bleeding (when they miscarry) right around the time of their expected period, which is why it’s easy to assume you’ve had a false-positive test result.
This is some next steps to consider after a pregnancy test result
Whilst the majority of pregnancy test results are accurate, it can still be hard to know right away if you’re dealing with a false positive pregnancy test result, this is why your next step should be to call your ob-gyn or midwife to see if it makes sense to come in for confirmation. If you are pregnant, but you are experiencing symptoms such as bleeding or pain, your midwife or ob-gyn will continue to monitor hCG levels – this makes sure that the pregnancy is developing properly before an ultrasound can reveal more details. With a healthy pregnancy, hCG hormones should double every 72 hours. So if you get a negative test, know that a false negative is sometimes possible too. If you take an at-home test too early, then it might not pick up hCG hormones.
If you goal is to get pregnant or have a baby anytime soon, for healthy fetal development it’s a goo iea to start taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid if you haven’t alread done so!
