What Does a Negative Pregnancy Test Result Mean?
When taking a pregnancy test, a negative result typically means that you are not pregnant. This means that the test is unable to detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. This hormone is produced only when you have conceived and the level of hCG increases rapidly in your body after conception.
Why Can I Get a Negative Result When I am Pregnant?
Although a negative pregnancy test result usually means that you’re not pregnant, it is still possible for you to be pregnant and get a negative pregnancy test. This can happen for several reasons, including:
- The test was taken too early.
- The test was done incorrectly.
- The test is expired or defective.
What Should I Do If I Get a Negative Pregnancy Test Result?
If you take a pregnancy test and it comes back negative, it is a good idea to follow up with your doctor and discuss any symptoms or concerns you may have. Your doctor can also order a blood test to confirm if you’re pregnant or not.
Also, if you get a negative pregnancy result and you still have pregnancy symptoms or have not gotten your period, it is a good idea to wait a few days and then take another pregnancy test.
Conclusion
A negative result on a pregnancy test usually means that you’re not pregnant. However, it is possible to be pregnant and still get a negative result. If you suspect that you are pregnant even after a negative result, it is important to follow up with your doctor to confirm or eliminate a pregnancy.
What Does a Negative Result In Pregnancy Test Mean?
A negative result on a pregnancy test means that there is no detectable presence of the pregnancy hormone – human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) – in your body. This usually means that you are not pregnant. However, a negative result is not always accurate and in some cases there could be multiple reasons.
Why Would a Negative Result be Inaccurate?
Inaccurate negative results can be due to the following:
- Testing Too Early: Taking a test too soon may cause a false negative result. Your body needs time to build up hCG after conceiving, so the later into your cycle you wait to take the test, the more accurate the results will be.
- Not Following Test Instructions: Certain types of home pregnancy tests must be read within a certain time frame. If the instructions are not followed correctly, this can cause inaccurate results.
- Evaporation Lines: Evaporation lines can appear on some types of pregnancy tests if the test is read after the designated time window. An evaporation line looks like a faint line, but it is not a positive result.
What Should I Do if I Get a Negative Result But Still Think I May Be Pregnant?
If you get a negative result but still think you may be pregnant, wait a few days and take another test. If after taking a few tests you still get negative results but continue to experience symptoms such as nausea and breast tenderness, you may want to see your doctor to be sure.
Welcome to my fertility blog. This is a space where I will be sharing my experiences as I navigate through the world of fertility treatments, as well as provide information and resources about fertility and pregnancy.
