False positive pregnancy test. How does a pregnancy test work? How pregnancy tests work

Hands are shaking, there is fog in my head, an incomprehensible mixture of emotions inside, and the reason for everything is a positive pregnancy test. Some women rejoice at him like a miracle, others begin to panic, others completely fall into a stupor. But after a few minutes / hours / days, everyone has the same question - what's next?

1. Calm down

It is better not to neglect this advice. Very often, women who really want or, conversely, are afraid to get pregnant “think out” the second strip. In any case, pulling yourself together will be a great solution.

You can not try to be distracted by something else - it will not work. Instead, taking deep, calm breaths or talking to your spouse/girlfriend will help.

2. Recheck the result

As soon as the ability to think clearly returns, it is advisable to start rechecking the result. To do this, it is better to buy 2-3 tests, but of a different brand and type. Ideally - in another pharmacy. Reading their instructions is a must. Tests may show false positive results due to misuse, storage or expired use.

A false positive result also occurs in such cases:

recent abortion, miscarriage;
ectopic pregnancy;
getting on the test of organic particles from the outside;
treatment with hormonal drugs;
menopause;
oncology;
some types of cysts, uterine fibroids and similar diseases.

You can repeat the procedure after 2-3 days, if in doubt. In the presence of pregnancy, the stripes will become brighter after this period. If the tests still show pregnancy, it's time to move on to the third step.

3. Chat with mom

And not only for moral support and sharing of joy. A conversation with her mother is needed to find out how her pregnancy and childbirth went. This information will later help the doctor to better understand how to manage the pregnancy of the expectant mother. A few questions to ask your parent:

What weight and height was I born with?
Were there complications during pregnancy or childbirth?
Did you suffer from high blood pressure during pregnancy?
What childhood diseases did I have (rubella, chickenpox, etc.)?

It also makes sense to remember all your chronic or serious diseases in the past, the presence of allergies. Maybe mom can help with that too.

4. Make an appointment with a doctor

A natural and obvious step. However, as practice shows, many women postpone a visit to the doctor or do not consider it necessary to go to the clinic at all. And in vain. The sooner the expectant mother makes an appointment, the more chances the doctor has to prevent the development of pathologies in the fetus or complications during pregnancy.

If the test showed two strips not due to pregnancy or product defects, the doctor will determine the cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

What can the doctor do during the first visits?

4.1. Submit for hCG lab test

If the period is still short, even a gynecological examination may not reveal pregnancy. But the test for gonadotropin will do just fine with this. It is much more in the blood than in the urine. If the pharmacy test showed an incorrect result, the laboratory will reveal this.

4.2. Run diagnostics

The doctor may order several blood tests, urine tests, and a thyroid examination. He will certainly recommend a general examination by a general practitioner, an ophthalmologist, an otolaryngologist, and several other specialists.

You will often have to take tests during pregnancy, almost before every visit to the gynecologist. However, it is best not to skip them as they are really important for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. All procedures are aimed not only at monitoring the child's condition, but also at taking care of the mother's well-being.

Low hemoglobin levels, weak immunity, too strong hormonal surges and discomfort in general - for all this, a gynecologist can prescribe vitamins. They will improve a woman's health and even make her more attractive.

4.4. Assign an ultrasound

The first ultrasound will be scheduled no earlier than 2 weeks after the start of the delay. Its main goal is to rule out an ectopic pregnancy. It will also be able to identify problems with the genitals, if any.

Ultrasound to determine the sex of the child, the features of its development will be prescribed much later.

4.5. Coordinate visit schedule

You will have to see the doctor almost more often than your husband. If the pregnancy passes without complications, then the frequency of visits will most likely be equal to one trip per month, but not less often. Closer to the due date, a woman will have to visit the gynecologist even more often.

So that later you do not have to cancel plans and rush to get to the doctor, it is advisable to immediately discuss with the doctor the approximate schedule of visits.

5. Stock up on information

Books, reliable online sources, courses for pregnant women - all this is sure to come in handy. A woman who knows how her body and the child changes during gestation feels more confident. And confidence and calm make childbirth easier.

What is definitely better not to do is listen to adherents of traditional medicine with dubious, and often dangerous advice. These 9 months are not the best period for experiments.

6. Enjoy your pregnancy

Almost every pregnancy is accompanied by discomfort. This is natural and quite tolerable. However, it is better to try to provide yourself with the most comfortable environment.

Communication with nice people, visiting beautiful places, positive emotions have a good effect on the nervous system of the baby and his health in general. Yes, and mom from this only benefits.

And yet there is a “but”. Pregnancy is not the best time for drastic changes. Therefore, if a young mother:

smokes she can't give up this habit sharp. Better gradually reduce the number of cigarettes, and then smoothly refuse them;
living on a broken schedule she will have to try slowly restore it. It makes sense to ask the future dad about it;
loves fast food, it is desirable to reduce its quantity. A woman's tastes can change dramatically, which often provokes cravings for junk food. You should not completely deny yourself pleasure, but seriously limiting the amount of such food is a necessity. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the main diet consists of predominantly from healthy foods.
active personality who does not sit still, she can leave her former way of life. But she will definitely have to monitor her daily schedule and nutrition, eliminate negativity and overwork.

A positive pregnancy test can be both the result of a defective product and an omen of motherhood. Regardless of this, it is better to play it safe and still visit the doctor's office. Such a step will help protect the health - yours and the baby.

A pregnancy test can be wrong - show a false negative or false positive result. According to statistics, errors occur in 1-2% of cases. The reasons are often malfunctions in the device itself, a short gestation period, diseases and some other factors.

How the test works

A pregnancy test is used in the morning, since the concentration of the hCG hormone (it is used to check for pregnancy) in the urine is maximum at this time of day. The answer depends on the chemical reaction that colors the strips of dough.

As a result of a positive response, two strips are determined - at an early date they will have a pale shade. The longer the gestation period, the brighter the second strip and the higher the probability of a correct answer.

Two lines means the test is positive

Causes of an erroneous test

A pregnancy test fails when there are manufacturing defects. Most often, test strips give errors, so when buying, it is better to choose jet-type tests - they are most sensitive to the hCG hormone.

Another reason for an incorrect result is an expired test. Like any product that has active ingredients, the test has a limited shelf life of 2 years. The date of manufacture should be checked before purchase and use.

In case of violation of storage conditions, the test may also show an incorrect result. It must be used immediately after unpacking, and if the tightness of the shell is broken, then the device cannot be used.

Expired Test

Less common causes include improper use of the mechanism, so it is recommended that you carefully read the instructions before conducting home testing. It should be remembered that urine for a pregnancy test must be fresh - the hCG hormone is oxidized upon contact with air, so its concentration is sharply reduced. This causes a false negative test.

Physiological Causes of a False-Negative Pregnancy Test

In addition to manufacturing defects and misuse of the test, there are physiological causes that affect the result. Main:

short gestation period: in the first week of delay, the level of hCG in the urine is at a minimum level, so the test does not fix it. With late ovulation, the hormone is released a week after the delay, which also affects the false negative test indicator;
ectopic pregnancy: the hormone is secreted in a smaller amount and is not always fixed on standard test strips;
the threat of miscarriage: the release of the hormone stops, so the body tries to get rid of the fetus. In the normal course of pregnancy, the level of gonadotropin is higher than with the threat of miscarriage;
kidney disease: hCG excretion increases, which makes the results of a pregnancy test false-negative;
a large amount of liquid drunk on the eve of the study: water dilutes urine and reduces the amount of hCG in its composition. As a result, the test may be false negative.

False negative test

Physiological Causes of a False Positive Test

A pregnancy test can also show a false positive result. Causes:

abortion, miscarriage, surgery to eliminate an ectopic pregnancy: the hormone lingers in the body for some time and may affect the results of repeated testing;
diseases of the internal organs: are the cause of hormonal disruptions. With a disease of the pelvic organs, as well as tumors, hCG rises, and a pregnancy test indicates a false pregnancy;
medication: medication with Pregnyl or Profazi, which contain hCG, can cause a false positive pregnancy test. The hormone is excreted two weeks after the last medication, so testing is done on days 12-15.

False positive test

Types of tests and accuracy of the answer

The tests differ in form and method of application. Each test has its own mode of action and the percentage of accuracy in determining pregnancy. Kinds:

test strips: are used most often and are inexpensive. The application is simple: you need to dip the strip into the urine up to the specified line, after a specified period of time, the answer will be displayed on the surface. If two red stripes appear, then the test is positive, if one is negative. Sometimes the second strip may not be completely stained, then the procedure is recommended to be repeated. This type of test produces errors most often due to poor sensitivity to hCG;
tablets: more expensive, made with high quality and consist of a device and a pipette. There are two windows on the test - the first is for testing urine, the second is for displaying the result. After 3 minutes, a special inscription appears, which indicates pregnancy or its absence. Accuracy of tablet tests - 98%;
jet mechanisms: high-quality and expensive models that are highly sensitive to hCG. To carry out the test, it is enough to substitute the tip of the device under the stream of urine, and then wait a few minutes. The result is displayed on the electronic screen. These tests are the least likely to make mistakes and allow you to determine pregnancy even before the onset of a delay.

Types of tests

If the analysis is carried out correctly, there are no physiological diseases, then the pregnancy test will indicate the correct answer. According to statistics, modern tests are as accurate as possible and give incorrect results extremely rarely. If there is any doubt about the result, it is necessary to take a general blood test and undergo an ultrasound examination, with which you can see the fetal egg.

All modern women and girls know what sex is and what are the consequences of it. Can a pregnancy test be wrong? This question worries young beauties who are not yet ready to become a mother. Whether the tests are wrong, serious ladies who have long unsuccessfully dreamed of their own baby want to know.

The principle of operation of the express test

Can the test be wrong in the early stages? If you clarify how the test works, then the answer becomes obvious. It turns out that in the urine of a pregnant woman, 100 percent, a hormone appears with a complex chemical name: chorionic gonadotropin (CG). It is produced by the structures of the embryo, which help the baby to gain a foothold in the uterus or fallopian tube.

The hormone enters the blood of the expectant mother and is excreted by the kidneys in the urine. Therefore, a positive test result happens not only with a healthy pregnancy, but also with an ectopic one. That is why, a woman must definitely see a gynecologist to find out all these details.

Hormones confirming the presence of pregnancy begin to be produced after 7-10 days. Therefore, the egg could have already been fertilized, the embryo began to develop, and the hormone has not yet accumulated in sufficient quantities. In this case, if you are in a hurry, the period is still early enough, the test can deceive you and tell you that fertilization has not yet taken place.

Can a pregnancy test be negative during pregnancy? If the concentration of a hormone that signals that an embryo is already developing in the mother's body is insufficient, the rapid test turns out to be false negative. This can also happen if conception occurs immediately before menstruation, and hCG did not have time to accumulate in the urine in a perceptible amount. Also, after 12 weeks, this hormone ceases to be produced and the test becomes useless.

When do errors occur

In what case can a rapid test be wrong?

We have already found out that a pharmacy expert can make mistakes before menstruation.
If you drink too much water, tea, coffee, the concentration of the determining hormone in the urine may decrease. The amount of hCG will become less perceptible, the result of the analysis will be unreliable. For this reason, doctors recommend, immediately before the analysis, not to drink a lot of fluids and not to use diuretics. It is better to check the concentration of the hormone in the morning urine, when all the components are collected in it overnight. These nuances should be especially taken into account in the first days of the delay.
A false negative result of the analysis may turn out if a full conception has occurred, but there is a threat of miscarriage. In this case, there may even be a slight bleeding. Pain in the lower abdomen and pink discharge can mislead you. But, if menstruation in the usual amount does not occur, be sure to visit a doctor and as soon as possible. If you have long dreamed of a child, it can still be saved. If it is not possible to immediately call an ambulance, stick to bed rest and postpone sexual pleasures until the circumstances are clarified.
When it shows a negative test, but there is pregnancy, menstruation does not occur, pains are felt in the abdomen, think about it, maybe this is an ectopic pregnancy. The development of the embryo in the tube leads to its rupture, if this problem is not noticed in time. Delay is dangerous to your life. Be sure to hurry to the gynecologist to avoid an undesirable outcome.
In addition, the test can erroneously show two stripes. This happens if you are taking medications containing hCG hormones. These can be medications that stimulate ovulation: Pregnil or Profazi. After the end of the course of treatment with these drugs, a sufficient level of the hCG hormone is maintained for about fourteen days. Therefore, the analysis should be postponed until this time.
How often are pregnancy tests wrong? After a miscarriage and abortion, an operation to remove an ectopic pregnancy, the concentration of the hCG hormone does not immediately fall, but remains in the urine for some time. The test in these cases sometimes shows an erroneous positive result.
The result of the analysis is able to show that there is a pregnancy, in the case of the development of all kinds of tumors.

Pink, watery, persistent discharge and disruption of the menstrual schedule, with a positive pregnancy test, may indicate the presence of an oncological tumor. Be sure to get checked out by an oncologist, and the sooner the better. You need to come to him with a fresh general blood test, a biochemical blood test, a general urinalysis and an ultrasound scan taken by an experienced gynecologist-oncologist.

How to avoid mistakes

Can a pregnancy test be wrong if the result is positive? Some analyzes carried out using a rapid test may be erroneous, for "technical" reasons. The test is of poor quality, expired.

When buying a test at a pharmacy, check its expiration date, the integrity of the package, ask for a certificate for this product.

Only a hermetically sealed device may be used for analysis. Only before direct use should the package be unpacked.

An incorrect storage condition can also lead to an erroneous result. Therefore, the device should only be purchased from a pharmacy in order to be sure that it is stored in the necessary conditions.

The girl herself is capable of misleading herself if she does not follow the instructions for the user. Even stale urine can change the result.

Watch your health

There are often real misunderstandings that are not faulty analysis.

At one point, the test shows that you are expecting a baby. And after a few days, the analysis turns out to be negative.

This happens when pregnancy stops at the very beginning of fetal development. There is a spontaneous miscarriage, which the lady may not notice. Everything happens as if there is another menstruation, with a short delay. If you see that along with pieces of the epidermis, maroon in color, a small white ball came out, this will be a lost embryo. If the fetal fading occurs at a later time, the woman needs to urgently consult a doctor.

Different degrees of accuracy

Three types of tests are sold in pharmacies:

test strips;
tablet;
jet.

Most often, girls buy the first version of the device, the strips are very easy to use and are inexpensive.

To find out the analysis using strips, you should collect fresh morning urine in a small bowl and dip the strip into this liquid. After 8-10 minutes you will know the result. If you see two colored stripes, then you will soon have a baby. When only one strip remains colored, conception has not yet occurred.

If the second strip turns weakly, doctors advise repeating the test after 3-4 days. Stripes are the most popular tests. But they are more often than not wrong. An error can occur if the strip is kept in the urine for insufficient time or vice versa, longer than necessary.

Tablet devices are considered more accurate, but they are also more expensive. The device has two windows. In the first window, you need to drop a little fresh morning urine. Soon, the answer to the request will appear in the second window.

There are also inkjet rapid tests. To carry out the analysis, it is not required to collect urine in advance. It is necessary to hold the device under the stream, exactly as it is written in the instructions. Quite a bit of time is enough for the device to show the result of the analysis.

These devices are recognized as the most accurate. By applying them, you can find out the exact result in the shortest possible time, even a few days before the next menstruation. Although this test is more expensive than others, if you want to be sure of the result of the analysis, use it.

How many emotions every woman experiences while waiting for the result of a pregnancy test! Whether she wants to be a mother or vice versa, she is afraid of this - the expectation of the result does not leave anyone indifferent. Fear, excitement, anticipation - and all this in just a few seconds or minutes. And now, the result is ready - a woman exhales either with relief, or with disappointment, or she cries out of fear, or still from happiness ... The bouquet of emotions is truly diverse and strong in any case. But the question is - can a pregnancy test be wrong? Is it worth spending so much money on it? Let's try to figure it out together.

In order to evaluate the accuracy of pregnancy tests, it is necessary to understand how they work. And it is absolutely the same, regardless of the brand, cost and principle of operation. Any pregnancy test responds positively to the presence of the hCG hormone in the urine. It appears from the moment of conception and increases exponentially, doubling every 2-3 days.

The bottom line is that in the early stages, the concentration of the hormone is negligible, and pregnancy tests do not have such sensitivity to instantly respond positively. So a pregnancy test is wrong if it is used for too short a period. That is why test manufacturers unanimously indicate in the instructions for use that in case of a negative result, it is worth repeating the test every other day - if pregnancy occurs, then the amount of hormone in the urine will increase significantly to show a positive result. Here is just one of the reasons why a pregnancy test is wrong.

And there may be several reasons besides those described above.

When is a pregnancy test wrong?

As already mentioned, the test with a small delay may be wrong. Insufficient amount of hCG in early pregnancy has a direct relationship with a false negative result.
A low level of the hormone in the blood may also indicate the development of an ectopic pregnancy. This is one of the main signs by which you can recognize it at the very beginning. That is why at the first signs of pregnancy, you should see a doctor as soon as possible! The sooner - the less consequences.
With the threat of a miscarriage, a reduced content of hCG is also observed, which will lead to a negative test result.
Poor manufacturer. Do not give preference to the cheapest tests. But in fact, the most expensive ones also make no sense - unless packaging and a preliminary determination of the gestational age are important to you.
Expiration date. Pay attention to this parameter, and you yourself should not store such things - it is better to buy tests immediately before use.
Incorrect use of the test. Regardless of the type of test, it is better to use the first urine in the morning, and do not drink a lot of liquid the day before. So the urine will be concentrated, the content of hCG, if any, will be easier to recognize by sensitive components.
After an abortion, hCG does not immediately decline, so tests may show a false positive result for some time.
The test may give an error in the presence of diseases that affect the hCG hormone. For example, a false positive result can be obtained with the formation of a hormone-dependent cyst, and a false negative result with kidney disease.
Some drugs, such as Profazi or Pregni, can affect a slight excess of hCG. Wait two weeks after the last dose and only then do the test.

How often are pregnancy tests wrong?

Based on the foregoing, it is safe to say that if you use a quality pregnancy test and follow its instructions, the probability of error is very small. Correctly made verified tests are extremely rarely wrong, but it is still advisable to buy 1-3 pieces at once and do them at intervals of several days.

Now you know how to protect yourself as much as possible from a false pregnancy test result. Now let's see what types of pregnancy tests are, so that you have 100% of the necessary information and find exactly what you need in the pharmacy!

Types of pregnancy tests

test strip

The most budget and affordable option. The test costs really a penny, and you can find it in absolutely any pharmacy. It is necessary to collect morning urine in a special clean container, lower the tip of the test into it for a while, then remove it and wait for the result to appear. One strip - no pregnancy, two - yes. Everything is extremely simple and takes a few minutes.

Inkjet pregnancy test

Considered one of the most reliable pregnancy tests available today. It can be carried out at any time of the day due to increased sensitivity, but in any case, morning urine is always more preferable for research.

An obvious plus is hygiene, because urine collection is not required for the test. It is enough to place the desired end of the dough under the jet and wait for some time for the result to appear - in the form of one or two strips.

Digital pregnancy test

In the previous version, the strip may be barely visible, which is confusing and does not allow you to correctly interpret the result. It is much easier with digital or electronic tests - the result is displayed on a small display on which “Yes” or “No”, “Pregnant”, “Not pregnant”, “+” or “-” is written in black and white. High accuracy and increased sensitivity allow you to test at any time of the day.

An e-test can fail like any other if it is overdue, incorrect, or too early. Just repeat it in 2 days in case of a negative result, if there is a high probability that it should be positive.

Reusable pregnancy test

An ultra-modern option, but not yet popular enough in our country because of its high cost. Typically, the test is equipped with 20 replaceable cartridges, that is, it implies 20 attempts to use. The cartridge is inserted into the test, after which the usual manipulations are performed with it. But to read the result, you do not have to wait, as usual. It is necessary to insert the test into the USB connector of the computer at hand and read the result. Yes, yes, outwardly such a pregnancy test resembles an ordinary flash drive with a display. It is on it that the result is displayed: plus or minus, yes or no, or even the option shown in the picture below. Reading the amount of the hCG hormone allows you to determine the period and even calculate the PDR - the preliminary date of birth. If the result is negative, then the smart test will calculate favorable days for conception in the next cycle!

How to choose a pregnancy test

So, we have identified 4 main types of pregnancy tests. But no matter how they differ from each other, their principle of action is the same - everyone reacts to an increase in the hCG hormone in the urine! So when choosing a pregnancy test, proceed from your financial capabilities and your own preferences.

Most Internet users consider inkjet or digital to be optimal in terms of price / quality ratio. Test strips are inconvenient in that urine must be collected, which is not hygienic and cannot be done everywhere. Reusable tests are of course interesting, but they are unlikely to establish the PDR with an accuracy of up to a day, it is better to take this information from a doctor. Although for the first time you can try the most expensive ones, but practice shows that rare couples get pregnant from the first attempts, especially since 2 or even 3 tests can take a cycle. So calculate the budget and buy the test that you liked the most according to the description.

When it comes to brands, there are a lot of them. All of them are good in their own way, Evitest or Clearblue are quite popular, for example. Although, despite the popularity, sometimes you can hear the opinion that the Clearblue test is wrong - like many others, if they are done incorrectly.

How to do a pregnancy test

Whatever test you choose, try to follow these simple rules to get the most accurate result possible:

Use only morning urine, even if the test says you can use it at any time of the day. The first urine is the most concentrated, it contains the maximum amount of hCG, which makes it easier to confirm pregnancy as quickly and accurately as possible.
Do not drink a lot of liquid the day before - it dilutes the concentration of urine, which can negatively affect the result.
Regardless of which test you choose, it will not be superfluous to wash yourself before using it - this way you will clean the urine of unnecessary impurities.
Read the instructions carefully before use, each test has its own. The more expensive and "tricky" the test, the more complicated the process.
Observe expiration dates, do not use expired tests.

Summing up

The choice of pregnancy tests these days is really chic. Every whim for your money! But remember that any pregnancy test can be wrong, and a positive result does not always mean pregnancy itself. It only says that you have an elevated hCG hormone, and in rare cases this may not be caused by pregnancy at all. What caused this and whether the test tells the truth, only your doctor can tell. If menstruation never comes, and the tests constantly show a negative result, it is also worth contacting a doctor, and in the near future! Never self-medicate, the human, and especially the female body is much more complicated than you think. The cause of this or that event can be a lot of cases, and we know about only a small part of them.

Video " Can a pregnancy test cheat?

Every woman knows that in order to establish her interesting position with a delay in menstruation, it is enough to go to the pharmacy and buy a test. It's anonymous, simple, convenient. To date, there are three types of such devices:

stripes- in the form of a paper strip;
tablets- in the form of a tablet with holes;
Inkjet are the most sensitive of all.

Such "devices" work on the same principle - they contain a reagent that reacts with human choritic gonadotropin (hCG), which is excreted from the body with urine. In a woman, this substance is produced in a perceptible amount during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, starting from the moment the egg is fertilized. The accuracy of such an analysis is quite high, manufacturers promise a probability of a result of up to 98%. But can a pregnancy test be wrong?

Not a single test in the world gives 100% accuracy, since the result depends not only on its quality, but also on a huge number of other factors. We will figure out in which cases the readings of the analysis can be false.

It seems that you have calculated everything, prepared, did everything right. You feel in your heart that you are pregnant. You go to the pharmacy, buy a tester, although the sixth sense says that you can immediately go to the gynecologist. And the results are negative. But can there be a pregnancy with a negative test? Of course it can. There is only one reason for a false negative answer - a low concentration of hCG.

The whole point is that the response of the device, in fact, depends on this substance. And if there is not much of it in the urine, even the most sensitive system will not show a positive response. This happens in several cases:

Conception occurred shortly before menstruation. There is a delay, because the body knows better than any analysis that a new life is developing in it. But hCG has not yet accumulated in such an amount that the reagent can catch it.
late analysis. If you decide to get tested when the period has exceeded 12 weeks, the tester will also be mistaken - gonadotropin ceases to be produced at the 12th week of pregnancy in a perceptible amount.
Ectopic pregnancy. In this case, hCG is initially produced in a low amount, elusive for the reagent on the strip or plate.

Drinking large amounts of fluids and diuretics. In a larger amount of liquid, the concentration of all substances, including gonadotropin, is lower.
Kidney pathology. If the urinary system as a whole and the kidneys, in particular, do not work properly, hCG may simply not be excreted from the body.
-Risk of miscarriage-. It's more of a warning. HCG stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone in the early stages. Progesterone prevents the uterus from contracting, preserving the embryo. In addition, hCG during pregnancy regulates the production of a number of other hormones that ensure the normal development of the fetus. Therefore, if you are sure that you are pregnant, and the result of the analysis is negative, it is better to immediately contact a gynecologist.

Reasons for a false positive pregnancy test

This scenario is most often of interest to those who did not plan to become pregnant, and the check stubbornly gives out the notorious two strips. However, a positive pregnancy test may well be in the absence of pregnancy. There is only one reason for such a blatant lie - hCG in the urine goes off scale, but because of something else. This is possible in the following cases:

Taking drugs that stimulate ovulation. These include the currently popular Pregnil and Profazi. They contain gonadotropin, which will react with the reagent on the test within two weeks after the last dose of the drug.
Interrupted pregnancy. If there was a miscarriage, an abortion, an ectopic pregnancy was removed, the hCG produced in the woman's body does not disappear immediately. The strips may react positively up to several months after the event.
Tumor processes. Such pathologies are characterized by a failure of hormonal levels, often in the presence of neoplasms in the body, an increase in gonadotropin in the urine is also recorded.

How to avoid mistakes

It seems that everything is in order with your body, and there are no reasons for hormonal imbalance. And the test is lying. But it is necessary to take into account not only possible pathologies. The system itself may not be perfect. And, in order to avoid mistakes, it is important to know the shortcomings of the technical side of the issue:

Expired product. A reagent, whether applied to a paper strip or in a sealed container, has its own expiration date. If it is not observed, the testimony cannot be considered reliable.
Incorrect storage conditions. If the device was lying in the sun or in the freezer, it will lie. If the tightness of the package is broken, the reagent could pull on excess moisture or, conversely, dry out, which also does not contribute to accuracy.
Poor quality. If the production technology itself is violated, the product will obviously be of poor quality, not giving an accurate result.
Violation of terms of use. Everything has its own rules of use. The principle of operation of the "device" is the same, but there are nuances. If you violated the instructions for using a particular pregnancy test, the result cannot be considered correct.
Stale urine. This applies to test strips and tablets. Situations are different: they were going to do an analysis, but you were distracted. Returned after some time to the question. In this case, it is better not to test at all, since the urine is already considered stale, and the result may be deliberately erroneous.

Based on the reasons, for maximum accuracy of the result, follow these simple tips:

Buy "pregnancy tests" only in a pharmacy: there is a much higher chance that they were stored correctly;
Do not hesitate to ask for a certificate for the product, this is a guarantee of its quality;
Check the expiration dates and tightness of the package;
Strictly follow the instructions for using the product;
Use only fresh urine, preferably the first morning;
For any result, repeat the test two more times, at intervals of three days.

How often are test results wrong?

If you follow all the conditions of use and take into account all possible error factors, on average, any test, be it a strip, tablet or inkjet, gives a reliable result. Many gynecologists in their many years of practice encounter erroneous results quite rarely.

According to ongoing research, a quality test in compliance with the instructions and expiration dates is wrong in 5% of cases, no matter what the manufacturers promise. For any violations on the technical side of the issue, errors reach up to 25%.

Did you know? It is very rare that the first test is positive and the second is negative. In this case, there is no error, just the fetus froze at an early date. A woman does not physically feel this, everything passes like normal menstruation.

Why You Still Need an Ultrasound

Even if you are sure that the test is of high quality and “fresh”, that you did everything absolutely correctly and strictly according to the instructions, that there are no pathologies from your body that affect the level of hCG in the urine, you cannot avoid ultrasound. Tests are tests, and the only irrefutable proof of your curious situation can only be the presence of a fetal egg on the inner lining of the uterus. You can identify it no earlier than a week after the fixed delay in menstruation.

In addition, it is worth going to an ultrasound even if at least one of the three analyzes performed gave an answer opposite to the other two. This will help to identify pathologies if they led to deception, or save the pregnancy if it is threatened with termination.

Can a pregnancy test lie - video

This video briefly and succinctly talks about the possible causes of false positive and false negative responses of various rapid pregnancy tests.

Once upon a time, women knew. But in the modern world, the majority prefers a scientific approach to this issue. Different test systems are sensitive in different ways, but even the best manufacturer producing the most accurate system reserves the right to make mistakes.

Sometimes the female body “jokes” with the results, sometimes it’s a matter of simple inattention. In any case and with any result, the only irrefutable evidence of your position is the ultrasound readings.

Have you ever used a pregnancy test? Which one did you take: strip, tablet or inkjet? Was the result accurate, or was there an error? By answering these questions in the comments, you will help those who are faced with the issue of pregnancy for the first time and decide whether to test at home, and how accurate the results can be.