Your period is late, you have symptoms that feel unusual, or you have another reason to think you could be pregnant. Then you take a test, and it comes back negative.
A negative result can be confusing when the other signs seem to point toward pregnancy. It may mean you are not pregnant, but there are also situations where a test is taken too early to detect a pregnancy.
Truehealth offers free, lab-quality pregnancy testing. Our staff can help you get a more reliable answer and explain what may make sense from there. Schedule an appointment today to get started.
You May Have Tested Too Early
Pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, in your urine. Your body begins producing hCG after implantation, and the amount increases rapidly during early pregnancy.
If you test before enough hCG has built up, you can receive a false-negative result. In fact, Mayo Clinic notes that home pregnancy tests are more likely to be accurate after the first day of a missed period.
Ovulation and implantation do not occur on the same day for everyone or during every cycle. If either happened later than you expected, pregnancy may not be detectable when you first test.
How You Take the Test Can Matter, Too
Timing is not the only reason a home test can be inaccurate.
Checking the result before the time listed in the instructions, using an expired test, or testing later in the day when urine is more dilute can affect the result. It helps to follow the instructions carefully and test first thing in the morning, when urine is most concentrated.
If your test is negative but your period still does not begin, you may want to repeat the test after several days.
Your Symptoms May Have Another Cause
A missed period, nausea, fatigue, or breast tenderness can happen during pregnancy, but many early pregnancy symptoms aren’t unique to pregnancy. They can also be signs that you’re getting sick or that your period is about to start.
If you continue receiving negative results but your period does not return, following up with a healthcare provider can help determine whether something else is affecting your cycle.
What Happens if the Next Test Is Positive?
If you receive a positive pregnancy test at truehealth, a limited ultrasound performed by a trained sonographer can provide information that the test itself cannot.
This scan can help estimate how far along you are. It can also tell you where the pregnancy is located and whether the pregnancy is developing. Medical professionals use this information to gauge early pregnancy development and identify potential complications that require care.
Schedule a free appointment with truehealth for free, confidential, lab-quality pregnancy testing. Call or text (724) 698-2689 to reach our Slippery Rock or New Castle location. Our staff can answer your questions and help you understand what your result means.