Why are Pregnancy Tests Sometimes Wrong?

Home pregnancy tests, no doubt, are convenient and pleasing, but... only until one day they make a mistake: they will congratulate you on the upcoming motherhood, which in reality is not expected, or in vain they will reassure an already accomplished expectant mother.

The tests are anonymous, convenient and relatively cheap. They work on the first day of a missed period, but sometimes give false results. Why?

The test may be expired or damaged due to improper storage.

The test was carried out incorrectly: only morning urine is informative, in which you need to lower the strip for the time and to the level indicated on the package.

The test was done too early. Russian pharmacies sell tests based on the determination of a specific hormone - human chorionic gonadotropin, which the female body begins to produce during pregnancy. Hormonal changes become sufficient for detection no earlier than two weeks after fertilization of the egg, so running to the pharmacy for a test the next day after reckless contact is useless: you will only need to calm down in vain.

In rare cases, human chorionic gonadotropin is produced by the tumor and the test is positive even though the woman is not pregnant.

Taking hormonal medications can blur the picture.

Ovarian dysfunction. The production of various sex hormones is disrupted, and the overall picture leads to an erroneous test result.

Pathological pregnancy. If there is a threat of miscarriage, the test may become negative suddenly. It happens that a negative result becomes the first sign of a miscarriage.

Poor quality test. If a year ago gynecologists trusted the test results almost 100%, now they prefer to examine the patient and perform an ultrasound.

To be on the safe side, you can simultaneously use tests from different manufacturers and focus on the signals of your own body: when pregnancy occurs, the rectal temperature (measured in the anus in the morning, without getting out of bed) is above 37°, the breasts are slightly painful and enlarged.