This is not because pregnancy tests are inaccurate but rather there simply isn't enough hCG to turn the test positive. The pregnancy test still does what it says it will—detect hCG in certain amounts.
And your body is doing what it is supposed to do, make hCG. It's just that the amount you've excreted and the amount that a pregnancy test detects are at two different levels. The week between the original pregnancy test and the next test is often too much to bear.
This leads to many people testing before the end of the week is up. A few things can happen:. Do not drive yourself crazy taking too many pregnancy tests.
The costs can add up, even if you are using inexpensive pregnancy tests. There are also mental and emotional costs of seeing a negative pregnancy test are also something to consider. If you continue to get a negative pregnancy test after a week and you have still not started your period, it is wise to have a physical exam by your doctor or midwife to ensure that you are healthy.
There are other things that can be going on besides pregnancy when it comes to a late period. Your practitioner can help you sort that out with a physical exam. You may also wish to consult with your midwife or doctor about having a blood pregnancy test drawn. Sometimes there are specific things that only a blood test can tell you. Your medical care team can help you determine how long you should wait to take another pregnancy test or if a blood pregnancy test would be beneficial in your specific case.
Not everyone needs a blood pregnancy test, which is looking for the same hormones. Though there are reasons why you might have a negative test but still have all the symptoms of pregnancy.
Author: Amber Bondurant, MD. Because this is really the best way to prevent a false negative result a negative test in someone who's actually pregnant result.
Pregnancy tests detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin HCG , which is produced in early pregnancy. The production of this hormone begins slowly and increases as the pregnancy grows. If you take a test too soon before you've missed your period , the levels of HCG may not be high enough to detect a pregnancy and it could cause a negative result, even though you're actually pregnant.
I advise my patients to wait at least one day after you miss your period. If you wait one week after a missed period, the chance of a false negative is very low if you have a normal monthly menstrual cycle. Home pregnancy tests, both brand name and generic, are very accurate at detecting the HCG hormone and any positive result, even a faint line, can be considered positive.
HCG is only produced by a pregnancy; any positive result indicates a pregnancy. Both urine and blood detect HCG, although the blood test is more sensitive and can detect HCG levels at much lower levels than a urine test. Some brands may be better able to detect lower levels of HCG than others. Take our survey. Page last reviewed: 1 October Next review due: 1 October Home Pregnancy Trying for a baby Back to Trying for a baby. Doing a pregnancy test. When you can do a pregnancy test You can carry out most pregnancy tests from the first day of a missed period.
Where you can get a pregnancy test You can also buy pregnancy testing kits from pharmacists and some supermarkets. The following places provide free pregnancy tests: community contraceptive clinics — find sexual health services near you sexual health clinics some young people's services — call the national sexual health helpline on for details Brook centres — for unders You may also be able to get a pregnancy test free of charge from your GP.
How does a pregnancy test work? Pregnancy test results Home pregnancy tests are accurate as long as you follow the instructions correctly. The result may not be reliable if you: do not follow the instructions properly take the test too early Some medicines can also affect the results. Continuing with the pregnancy If you're pregnant and want to continue with the pregnancy, contact your GP or a midwife to start your antenatal care. So if a test was sitting on the store shelf for a while before you bought it, the expiration date might be less than two to three years away.
The lesson? Always check the expiration date before buying. And if you have a pack on hand for a while, look at the expiration date again before you actually take one of the tests.
Keeping your test in a dry, room-temperature space like the bathroom is just fine. In general, pregnancy tests that are past their expiration date are more likely to give you a false negative or a false positive reading. You can take a pregnancy test anytime before the use-by date listed on the package. To increase your chances of a reliable reading, wait at least until the day of your expected period to test.
And be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging. The bottom line is that all home pregnancy tests have an expiration date, and using an expired test can increase the chance of getting an inaccurate result. The date is stamped right on the packaging, so check it before you buy the test. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.
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