No period, but negative pregnancy test

         Most women think that a late period or a missed one could be a sign of pregnancy so they rush to take a home pregnancy test to find out if it’s true, whether they want a baby or not. This situation is indeed possible and maybe most of you would do the same thing. But what would you do if you had no period and your test would give you a negative result? Would you believe the result or would you think there’s a mistake? Is it possible to have a negative result even if you have missed your period?

         First of all, you don’t have to jump to any conclusion yet because it’s very possible to have a late period or even a missed one without being pregnant. There could be many other reasons for your missed period and here are some of them: an organic illness, a sudden weight loss or a very stressful period. For your certainty, wait for a few days and then take another test.

         Secondly, it’s also possible to be pregnant although your pregnancy test gives you a negative result. This result is called a false negative result and there are various reasons for this to occur. The most probable reason could be the moment you take the test(you are probably taking it too early). For a better understanding you should know how these home pregnancy tests work. Those tests’ principle of working is a very simple one: the detection of the presence and levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in a woman’s body(in her urine). This hormone can be found in a woman’s body only if she is pregnant or if she is getting certain types of drugs. It is produced by the placenta after at least 6 days after ovulation, because it can’t be produced before implantation (when a fertilized egg implants in uterine wall) – and this does not occur until 6 days after ovulation. Therefore, there couldn’t be any hCG in your body until 6 days after the moment of conception – because even if you were pregnant, the pregnancy test hasn’t got any hCG to detect yet.

         Of course, it is possible to get a false negative result even if you take the test at the right moment (doctors recommend to take it 2 weeks after ovulation or the day you have missed your period). That could be possible if you are not careful on the instructions. Some of the most current mistakes could be: urine dilution (you shouldn’t drink too much water before taking the test and you should take it with your first morning urine); the moment you read the result (you have to read it within the “time reaction”, because later you can get a false result); or the simple inattention at the using instructions.

         Another possible reason for your inaccurate result could be the test sensitivity as well. It is preferable to take a more sensitive test for a better chance of getting an accurate result. If you are sure you are not in any of these situations explained, you should see a doctor and find out what happens.

Related posts:

1. Late period – Negative pregnancy test – What now ?
2. Negative pregnancy test – period late – What do I do ?
3. It’s important to take a pregnancy test when your period’s late !
4. First result: pregancy test negative?
5. False pregnancy test positive ? Possible reasons and advice!