Can the test be negative if pregnant? Pregnancy symptoms when the test is negative. False negative result during pregnancy - when it happens

Some passionately dream of a child, while others realize with horror that an accidental mistake in the form of unprotected intercourse can radically change their life. Can help clear your doubts early pregnancy test . The principle of operation for all products presented on pharmacy shelves is almost the same: they allow you to find out even before visiting a doctor whether conception has occurred or not. However, in order for the results to be correct, it is worth knowing the principle of operation of the product and how to carry it out correctly.

The best early pregnancy tests have increased sensitivity. Manufacturers use quality materials, so products cannot be too cheap.

The main principle of action: due to the content on the strip of a unique substance that will interact with urine, the level of the hCG hormone is set. If conception has taken place, then the production of human chorionic gonadotropin increases even before the delay, which gives rise to the manifestation of two stripes.

It is worth noting that the results will be correct starting from 7-10 days after sex and provided that it coincides with the time of ovulation. After all, it is then that the fertilized egg is attached to the wall of the uterus. HCG, on the other hand, begins to increase from this moment, increasing gradually every two days. Also, doctors note that the maximum concentration of the hormone is observed on the 8-10th day, after which its level will decrease slightly. If a woman has a multiple pregnancy, then hCG will increase in proportion to the number of fetuses. It is worth noting that if there are problems (ectopic fixation of the fetus, the threat of disruption), the hormone will be lowered.

How and when to take the test to get an accurate result

Previously, an early pregnancy test performed exclusively with morning urine. Reliable data could be obtained without leaving home. Currently actively selling earliest pregnancy test , which is called jet. It allows you to conduct research at any time of the day.

And yet, doctors recommend not to rush to find out the result, but to wait for menstruation. If the delay is more than three days, do an analysis. If you still have doubts, then how to detect early pregnancy the gynecologist knows for sure. He will also carry out, according to the state, discharges, and also, with the help of additional analyzes, he will accurately establish whether the long-awaited event has happened or not.

Can the test show incorrect data?

Sometimes it happens that a girl has everything but the test is negative . Usually this is faced by those who really want to find out as soon as possible what they wear under the heart of a child. From the first days of the delay, or even immediately after sex, they begin to feel all the main symptoms: the nipples became very sensitive, increased, and vomiting began in the morning. If these symptoms arose separately, then it is too early to talk about conception. For example, nausea and vomiting may indicate problems with the gastrointestinal tract. As for the delay, it also occurs due to inflammation of the appendages.

The test is negative, but there is confidence in conception

If you are sure that negative pregnancy test - nothing more than a mistake, visit a gynecologist. The doctor will be able to accurately determine whether it was possible to conceive a child. At a very early date for an accurate diagnosis of the condition will be assigned Ultrasound to determine pregnancy and urinalysis for hCG levels. Usually they guess about their interesting position even earlier than all the methods of diagnosing a woman who is not already pregnant for the first time confirm this.


If you're thinking Why is the test not showing? the long-awaited two are flat, then either you spent it very early, incorrectly, or it is overdue or of poor quality, or while you are wishful thinking. Erroneous readings can also be if a woman has an irregular cycle, and she wants to see the result much earlier than the embryo has managed to gain a foothold. It is recommended that with an irregular cycle, use the express method only after delaying menstruation for more than a week.

Unfortunately, there are more unpleasant reasons why pregnancy test before delay and after it will stubbornly show a negative result, even though it turned out to conceive. The following can affect the inaccuracy of the indicator of the hCG hormone:

  • threat of collapse, or ;
  • the presence of pathology and chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys.

It is also possible to change the accuracy of the diagnosis if diuretics were taken before the test, a lot of liquid was drunk. Wait a few days and check again. Or visit a gynecologist right away to get a 100% accurate answer about your condition.

False positive test

Although the manufacturers claim that early pregnancy test accuracy is 99%, sometimes it turns out to be false positive. This situation occurs for various reasons, the main of which is a violation of the amount of the hCG hormone under the influence of certain factors. These include:

  • oncological diseases;
  • the state of the body after spontaneous abortion or miscarriage;
  • when taking drugs used to treat infertility;
  • others.

In the presence of oncological formations, even in men, a test showing early pregnancy will be positive! If you are sure that the baby could not have been conceived this month, first eliminate all factors that give a false result, and then re-examine or consult a doctor.

Weak positive test

It happens that express early pregnancy test will show one clear and second blurry stripes. This can happen if the product was not stored correctly (for example, it was not in protective packaging) or if it has expired. It is also possible to consider the situation when the test is positive, but there are no signs of pregnancy as a sign of conception. However, it has not yet been identified precisely, since too little time has passed.

How to conduct an express examination


The reliability of the results will also be influenced by external factors. To know for sure whether it is time to prepare to become a mother, you need to take the following steps:

  1. Inspect the packaging for damage.
  2. Check the expiration date of the product.
  3. Prepare a clean vessel and create as close to sterile conditions as possible.
  4. It is better to use morning urine, but if you have not had your period for a long time, then any time of the day will do.
  5. Wash and dry hands before testing.
  6. Remove the test strip and dip to the indicated level.
  7. Place it on a dry towel or napkin.
  8. The result can be seen in one to three minutes.

Types of tests, their pros and cons

In a pharmacy, it is not difficult to get lost among the proposed product options. For clarity, all the positive and negative points from the use of various tests are collected in a table:

Type of test

Positive characteristics

Cons of application

Test strips (strip tests) - cloth or paper products, the surface of which is impregnated with a reagent

  • easy to use;
  • cheap and affordable (you can buy them even in a stall);
  • 3-5 minutes - and the result is ready.
  • weak sensitivity, therefore it is recommended to use only morning urine;
  • inconvenience due to the need to use the container;
  • there is a high probability of an erroneous result if the time the strip is in the urine is violated;
  • if the test is made of paper, then the probability of getting incorrect results is much higher.

Tablet tests are plastic boxes that contain test strips. Using the pipette supplied with the kit, a drop of urine is applied to one window, and the result is displayed in the second.

  • very sensitive;
  • the probability of determining pregnancy is high;
  • modern;
  • aesthetically more attractive than a test strip;
  • no need to immerse in urine
  • relatively expensive;
  • urine will still have to be collected in a container, so that after picking it up with a pipette

Inkjet tests are modern products that look like a pen for writing. It is based on a complex device with a fibrous rod, which is formed from tubules (liquid rises through them to the part with reagents).

  • it will not work to get a weakly positive answer - either a clear yes or no;
  • convenient;
  • reliable;
  • easy to use;
  • retains the result throughout the day after use;
  • the possibility of misuse is practically excluded
    • expensive;
    • disposable;
    • as the manufacturer himself warns, if the analysis was made before the expected date of the onset of menstruation and was negative, then it is recommended to repeat it on the first day of the menstrual cycle.

    When choosing among the entire assortment in a pharmacy, you should not stop at the cheapest option. The probability of obtaining an accurate result with such a product is low, since manufacturers save on important reagents. If the test showed two strips, but there are no other signs and conception is unlikely, this is a reason to consult a doctor and undergo an examination. Indeed, in such a situation, pregnancy with pathologies is possible, serious diseases that pose a threat to the health of the mother and child.

    There are many reasons why a pregnancy test may show a negative result. Often this depends on the presence of pathologies of the body or the incorrect use of the test itself.

    Why this happens and how to properly test in order to obtain reliable information, we will consider below.

    Absolutely all test strips work on the same principle - they react to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

    The hCG hormone is produced in a woman's body from the moment conception occurs. Every day, its figure increases by several tens of times.

    Thus, determining whether conception has occurred using a test strip is very simple, it is important to wait until the level of hCG in the urine is sufficient to show this. A suitable time for such a diagnosis is 5-7 days of delayed menstruation.

    What is a pregnancy test

    On one side of the strip is a reagent, which manifests itself when a liquid enters, in this case, the urine of a woman. When the urine comes into contact with the site of the reagent, the test shows the result. If it contains the hCG hormone, the test shows two strips. If a woman is not in a position, then the second band simply will not appear.

    Why does the test show one line during pregnancy

    When a test shows one strip in a pregnant woman, this may indicate that this procedure is not performed correctly. There may be situations when the pregnancy is at an early stage, and the hCG hormone has accumulated in insufficient quantities to show a positive result. Often serious health problems can give a negative result. There are many reasons, and it is worth looking into this in more detail.

    Unfortunately, few people know what the first strip on the testing device means and why it is applied. She serves as an illustrative example for the second, so that the woman has an idea of ​​\u200b\u200bwhat result she should see in the event of conception. The second stripe must be identical to the first, have the same size and brightness of color. A significant difference between them indicates a short gestational age or the presence of a number of other reasons.

    Reasons why the test may show a negative result:

    1. One of the most common reasons is incorrect research.
    2. To get the most accurate result, you should read the package insert, and only then proceed with the procedure. Do not forget about the need to check the expiration date, perhaps it has already expired, then, of course, the test will show a negative result.
    3. Early procedure. Most test manufacturers write on the packaging that they are ready for use from the first days of the delay, but even then they do not always show a positive result. Carrying out the determination procedure ahead of the estimated time, you may not get a result at all. The hCG hormone has not yet reached such a level in the urine to respond to the strip reagent.
    4. Taking medicines. The use of diuretics or other drugs the day before may give a negative result of the device. If you use these drugs on the eve of testing, the level of the hCG hormone will not be able to reach the concentration that is necessary for diagnosing whether the long-awaited conception has occurred.
    5. Ectopic pregnancy. This pathology is often accompanied by menstruation, deterioration of the woman's condition. In this case, the test may not show a positive result, but the presence of pathology requires urgent medical attention.
    6. Kidney diseases. Pyelonephritis and other kidney pathologies often affect the test result.

    Reasons for getting a negative result are quite enough. It is advisable to completely exclude them before using the test, and then the result of determining the position of a woman will be more reliable.

    How to use a pregnancy test correctly

    Before you start testing, you should read the instructions. Each device has a different sensitivity to chorionic gonadotropin, and this affects from which day of delay it can be used.

    How to do a pregnancy test

    The procedure for assessing the condition of a woman should be carried out in the morning, when the concentration of the hCG hormone is at its highest.

    Step-by-step instruction:

    • Prepare a clean container for collecting urine, collect some morning urine in it.
    • Open the package with the test strip and dip one side into the container with urine, exactly up to the restriction strip (approximately 1-1.5 cm). Hold for a few seconds.
    • Put the device on a clean surface, after 3-5 minutes evaluate the result.
    • After the elapsed time, you can see: one strip - the woman is not pregnant, two - the pregnancy has come.

    It is quite simple to carry out the research process, the main thing is to follow the instructions and not use damaged, expired strips.

    What to do if there are signs of pregnancy, and the test shows a negative result

    It is worth taking into account that the signs do not always indicate the onset of pregnancy. Sometimes, from a strong desire to be in position, a woman feels a false pregnancy.

    The usual two-day delay seems to be the moment of the long-awaited conception. Do not rush and take it seriously. It is recommended to wait a few days, then repeat the test later. Perhaps this is a common premenstrual syndrome, and this month fertilization did not occur at all.

    But there are times when the signs are confirmed, and the test continues to show one strip. Such situations occur not only in the early stages, but also often occur at 3 and 5 weeks of pregnancy. In most cases, this can be affected by kidney disease, use of diuretics the day before, or, again, improper use of the test.

    It is recommended to exclude all possible pathologies that affect the situation, and repeat the study after a few days. In a situation of a repeated negative result, you should consult a doctor for additional diagnostics.

    The doctor will prescribe a blood test for the hCG hormone, suggest doing an ultrasound.

    Diagnosis for the presence of hCG is the most accurate of all tests.

    Few people know that human chorionic gonadotropin rises in the blood from the moment of conception. Thanks to this, you can easily determine the presence of pregnancy. The hCG hormone enters the urine much later, in a low concentration, which, sometimes, is not enough to get a reliable result with the help of a test study.

    More information in this situation will give a vaginal ultrasound. It will show pregnancy from the first weeks, but the usual one will be able to determine it only after 6-7 weeks.

    findings

    There are enough reasons why a test is negative, but perhaps the most common ones are using the test before a missed period, for example. In such cases, do not panic, you need to calm down, wait a few days and repeat the procedure. If the situation recurs, you should consult your doctor to rule out various pathologies.

    Many women dream of pregnancy so much that they listen to the slightest changes in their body. A delay in menstruation for at least one day already encourages them to run to the pharmacy for a miracle test that allows you to determine pregnancy at home at an early stage. And what a disappointment when, instead of the cherished two strips, the test shows a negative result. It turns out that one strip cannot guarantee a 100% absence of pregnancy. That is why, in addition to the test, it is necessary to pay attention to other symptoms and indicators that indicate that pregnancy is possible.

    How does a pregnancy test work?

    Even in ancient times, women noticed that a delay in menstruation can be directly related to pregnancy. In 1350 B.C. came up with a way to confirm or deny the onset of pregnancy. Women urinated on wheat and barley seeds and evaluated the results after a while. If the seeds did not germinate, then pregnancy did not occur. If the seeds sprouted, then one could talk not only about the onset of pregnancy, but also about the field of the future baby (sprouted wheat promised a girl, and barley promised a boy).

    In 1963, scientists, after conducting their research, found that such a diagnosis works, and the seeds really germinate faster due to the increased level of estrogen in the urine of a pregnant woman. At the same time, the development of modern tests began.

    The first test strips, which allow you to get results relatively quickly, appeared in 1988. Over time, they improved and today they allow to determine the onset of pregnancy with high accuracy within 5 - 10 seconds.

    The principle of operation of pregnancy tests is simple. The test responds to the hCG hormone, which begins to be actively produced in the woman's body from the first hours after fertilization.

    On the 12th - 15th day after fertilization, the concentration of this hormone in the urine reaches the level at which the test system is able to determine it.

    Just by this time, the woman is already experiencing a delay in menstruation. To carry out the test, it is necessary to make contact of the test strip with urine, collecting it in a separate container or urinating directly on the test system and evaluate the result after a certain time. The instructions say that two strips mean a positive result, and one strip indicates the absence of pregnancy.

    Causes of a false negative pregnancy test

    The accuracy of readings obtained after using a pregnancy test ranges from 75 - 97%. Thus, the manufacturer himself admits the possibility of both a false positive and a false negative result.

    There are various reasons why a woman may get a negative pregnancy test:


    The main symptoms of pregnancy

    The main symptom that women and doctors mostly associate with the onset of pregnancy is the delay in menstruation. But there are others that may appear even before the expected date of menstruation.


    Pregnancy diagnostics

    If a woman has a delay in menstruation, other symptoms appear that indicate a possible pregnancy, but despite this, the test stubbornly shows a negative result, then you need to see a doctor and find out why such changes have occurred.

    Medicine owns more accurate methods of early diagnosis of pregnancy, which include:

    • Blood test for hCG. The fact is that the concentration of chorionic gonadotropin in the blood is much higher than in the urine. In addition, this hormone can be determined in the blood even before the delay, starting from the first day after fertilization. Therefore, it happens that the concentration of hCG in the urine is not enough for a pregnancy test to determine it, while a blood test shows a positive result.
    • Ultrasound examination of the uterus. According to the results of an ultrasound scan performed by a transvaginal sensor, it is possible not only to determine the presence of pregnancy, but also to establish its duration and features of development.

    A negative pregnancy test is not always a reason to completely exclude it. Women who are not pregnant for the first time may suspect their position much earlier than even the most accurate test determines it. Therefore, you need to take care of your health. Not only the delay in menstruation, but also other visible symptoms, should be suspicious. If you have any doubts, you should consult a doctor, since a false negative pregnancy test can be a signal indicating any abnormalities in the woman's health or the development of pregnancy.

    May show incorrect results. The entire set of pregnancy test errors is usually divided into two types - false positive and false negative results. False-positive results include the detection of pregnancy in a non-pregnant woman. And false negative results include, respectively, the failure to detect pregnancy in a woman who actually became pregnant.

    False positive pregnancy test results may be due to the following causal factors:

    • The use of drugs to stimulate ovulation containing human chorionic gonadotropin (for example, Profazi, Pregnil, Ovitrel, etc.);

    • Various tumor formations of the uterus, ovaries, kidneys, lungs and intestines;

    • Increased production of chorionic gonadotropin in brain structures - the pituitary gland, for example, with tumors or traumatic brain injuries;

    • kidney disease;

    • Childbirth, abortion or miscarriage less than 1 month ago.
    Thus, false positive pregnancy test results can be associated with various diseases that require qualified treatment. Therefore, when a false positive result of a pregnancy test appears, it is recommended to undergo a comprehensive examination in order to find out the causes of an increased level of chorionic gonadotropin.

    False negative pregnancy test errors can be due to the following reasons:

    • Too early analysis;

    • Diluted urine;

    • Incorrect analysis.
    That is, a false negative result of a pregnancy test does not indicate any disease.

    The most common false positive and false negative pregnancy test errors are due to the following causal factors:

    1. Too little pregnancy. If a test with a sensitivity of 20 - 25 IU / l is used, then it will only be able to correctly diagnose the presence of pregnancy for a period of at least three weeks. Thus, this type of test can only be done 15 to 17 days after the last unprotected intercourse. If the test is done before the 15th day from the moment of the alleged conception, he will show a negative result, that is, he will be mistaken. Due to the fact that sexual contact, which resulted in pregnancy, could occur literally 1 to 2 days before the estimated date of the next menstruation, doctors and scientists recommend doing a test with a sensitivity of 25 IU / l no earlier than 2 weeks of delay. In this case, the test will fail. If a pregnancy test with a sensitivity of 10 IU / L is used, then it must be done 7 to 10 days after unprotected intercourse. However, if a woman became pregnant 2 days before the start of the next menstruation, then on the 2nd - 3rd day of the delay, the test will show a negative result, since 7 - 10 days have not yet passed from the moment of conception. That is, the test will fail. That is why doctors recommend doing a test with a sensitivity of 10 IU / L only after 7 days of delayed menstruation;

    2. Unsatisfactory quality of urine. For a pregnancy test, morning urine should be used, since it is in it that the maximum concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin. During the day, a woman can drink a lot, as a result of which the urine is diluted, and the concentration of gonadotropin decreases. In such a situation, a pregnancy test will determine the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin in dilute urine and may be mistaken by showing a negative result;

    3. Incorrect use of a pregnancy test. The test should be done strictly according to the instructions, and the result should be evaluated after a specified period of time. If the test was performed incorrectly, the result may be erroneous;

    4. Kidney disease. With kidney pathology, the level of chorionic gonadotropin in the urine during pregnancy may not increase. In this case, the test will show a negative result, even if everything is done correctly, that is, it will make a mistake;

    5. pathology of pregnancy. The test may fail if the pregnancy is ectopic or there is a threat of miscarriage;

    6. Weak attachment of the fetus to the wall of the uterus. In this case, there is pregnancy, but chorionic gonadotropin is not produced in sufficient quantities. That is, the result of the pregnancy test will be negative and, accordingly, erroneous.

    Pregnancy test and laboratory methods for studying pregnancy


    Pregnancy planning is an important period in a woman's life. And often you want to know about the result as soon as possible. Until recently, pregnancy was defined by signs such as missed periods, morning sickness, and breast enlargement.

    But in the case of an irregular cycle, it is difficult to predict the exact date of the onset of menstruation. And bad health and nausea, changes in the body and mood occur in other situations. They are typical, for example, for severe premenstrual syndrome.

    Are there reliable methods for determining pregnancy in the early stages?

    Definition of pregnancy

    There are two methods for determining conception with almost 100% results. This is a blood test for chorionic gonadotropin and ultrasound of the uterus.

    Chorionic gonadotropin is a substance that is produced in the body of a woman almost from conception. There are some pathological processes in which it will also occur in the blood, but these are rare cases.


    Ultrasound and determination of human chorionic gonadotropin are not routine procedures. They involve going to the clinic, taking blood or waiting for a certain period, which is not always convenient. Sometimes their cost is quite high. It is much easier to use a pregnancy test in the early stages.

    Chorionic gonadotropin

    If the result of the analysis for chorionic gonadotropin is positive, there is no doubt about the presence of pregnancy. For greater reliability, it is determined after 48 hours, and with a doubling of the result, a normally proceeding pregnancy is confirmed.

    Hormonal analysis is informative almost from the first weeks of pregnancy (gestation).

    ultrasound

    Unlike a blood test, the result of conception with ultrasound can be seen with your own eyes and even determine the heartbeat. Ultrasound practically does not allow dual interpretation. But reliable results of ultrasound are only after a certain period.

    As a rule, before the fifth week of gestation, even on the best device, it is difficult to see anything, which is why an ultrasound scan is recommended two to three weeks after the delay in menstruation or the appearance of clear signs of pregnancy.

    Pharmacy tests

    Modern tests are sold in any pharmacy, and their range is extremely diverse. They can be cheap or expensive, with varying degrees of sensitivity and different applications. Common to all tests are the availability and principle of operation. It is based on the detection of the level of chorionic gonadotropin in the urine of a woman - the so-called indicator method.

    The indicator can only respond to a certain concentration of the hormone. If the result is positive, then the chorionic hormone is present in the body, and conception has occurred. False-positive qualitative tests cannot be, since they only react to the presence of a certain substance.

    Is it possible to have a negative pregnancy test?

    Negative analysis

    Cases when the test is negative, but there is pregnancy, are not uncommon. On the contrary, it is quite a common situation. Some manufacturers even produce two indicators per package - for re-determination.

    But often women use 3-5 tests before they see the desired result. Why can this happen?

    How the indicator works

    As soon as the level of chorionic gonadotropin reaches a certain level - the threshold - it begins to interact with the indicator substance in the test. This manifests itself in the form of a positive result - the second strip, plus sign or the word "pregnant". The threshold is considered to be a hormone level of 10 mIU / ml and above.

    Before this period, the use of analyzers is unjustified, since their result will be negative in any case.


    In addition, for home analysis, not blood is used, but urine. And the content of chorionic gonadotropin in it will change - depending on the concentration. The longer a woman has not urinated, the greater the amount of the hormone will be. And vice versa - measuring the hormone level after a recent visit to the toilet will lead to a false negative result.

    Reasons for the negative answer

    A negative pregnancy test can be due to many factors. Most often this happens for the following reasons:

    1. The test was used too early.
    2. The discrepancy between the term of conception and the expectations of a woman due to a failure in the cycle.
    3. Low sensitivity of the indicator.
    4. Wrong use of the test.
    5. Poor quality or counterfeit analyzers.
    6. Pathologies of pregnancy.

    For timely and correct analysis, you need to have a good understanding of how pharmacy tests work, as well as follow the rules for operating test systems. This will avoid erroneous results, save money and prevent the expectant mother from being upset in vain.

    Early use of the test


    A concentration of 10 mIU / ml is usually 3-5 days before the expected delay in menstruation, provided that the concentration of gonadotropin in the urine is maximum. At this time, only highly sensitive analyzers can determine conception, but the probability of error is still quite high.

    If a woman is really looking forward to a positive result, she begins to feel signs of pregnancy almost immediately after intercourse. She may have chest pain and nausea. Why this happens is difficult to explain. Most likely, the principle of self-hypnosis works.

    But even with such obvious signs, the test will remain negative until the right amount of the hormone is produced.

    It does not make much sense to use a pharmacy indicator before a delay in menstruation. Pregnancy with a negative test is possible, but for a woman it will be an additional reason for unnecessary unrest.

    Conception mismatch

    Conception does not always coincide with sexual intercourse. It is possible only after a recent ovulation. Fertilization occurs when the male and female gametes meet in the fallopian tube. And this can happen even a week after sex.


    With an irregular cycle, delayed ovulation is common. If a woman does not feel its signs and does not measure the basal temperature, she can only determine the time of the release of the egg. And the expected delay in menstruation can be very different from the real one. In this situation, the tests may remain negative for a long time.

    Low test sensitivity

    Pharmacy analyzers respond to different concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin in the urine. Depending on this, the following types of tests are distinguished:

    1. Low sensitive. They will show a positive result only if the hormone content in the urine reaches a level of 25 mIU / ml and above. You need to use them from the first day of the delay in menstruation and collect morning urine for analysis.
    2. Medium sensitivity. These indicators respond to the content of gonadotropin in the range of 15-20 mIU / ml. You can check the success of conception with their help 1-2 days before the expected delay. It is desirable to use urine in the morning, although according to the instructions, the analysis can be carried out at any time.
    3. highly sensitive tests. These include indicators that capture the concentration of the hormone at 10 mIU / ml. They are used at any time of the day starting from 5-7 days before the expected delay.

    The use of low-sensitivity analyzers before a missed period is likely to lead to a false negative result. The same may be the case when the determination of the hormone is carried out in the evening or daytime.

    Medium-sensitive tests may show an incorrect result if the menstrual cycle is disturbed - late ovulation, as well as in a situation where a woman has consumed a lot of fluid before analysis, and the concentration of gonadotropin has decreased.

    The sensitivity of the analyzers is indicated on their packaging or in the instructions.

    Misuse of tests

    In order to avoid the most common mistakes in analysis, it is necessary to know why they occur and how to use different types of indicators.

    According to their design and method of use, analyzers are divided into the following groups:

    • Paper test strips.
    • Inkjet determinants of pregnancy.
    • Cassette analyzers.
    • Electronic devices.
    Paper indicators

    This is the most budget and affordable option. They are usually low or medium sensitive. For analysis, the paper strip with the indicator end must be dipped into a glass of urine for a few seconds, then put on a flat, dry surface and evaluate the result after three or five minutes.


    In the case of clear two stripes on the indicator edge, you can rejoice. If the second strip is not clearly visible, the result is classified as weakly positive and it is recommended to repeat it in a day or two. Most often in such situations, pregnancy is confirmed.

    A false negative answer when using paper indicators can be for the following reasons:

    1. The strip was lowered into the container with a non-indicating end. Arrows are usually marked on the right side of the test. If the analysis is carried out incorrectly, there will be no changes on the indicator, which can be mistakenly interpreted as a negative answer.
    2. The indicator was too little in the urine container. If for some reason the analysis is carried out quickly, in a hurry, a small amount of the hormone will fall on the indicator area, which will lead to unreliable indicators.
    3. Evaluation was carried out after 1-2 minutes. This time is not enough for a full reaction of chorionic gonadotropin with an indicator. Sometimes the test is evaluated after a long time - half an hour or more. This can also be the cause of an erroneous indicator.
    4. Fuzzy stripe. Sometimes the second strip is much paler than the control. This occurs when the hormone content in the urine is low. And such a result is erroneously interpreted as negative.
    Inkjet determinants

    These tests are among the most practical. Urine does not need to be collected during this analysis. It enters the indicator area directly during urination. Inkjet tests are highly sensitive and medium sensitive.

    Erroneous answers when using them are less common and are mainly associated with incorrect determination of the timing of conception and too early analysis.

    A false-negative jet test can be in the case of taking a large amount of liquid the day before and when using diuretics or herbal decoctions with a similar effect.

    Also, the answer may turn out to be erroneous if not enough urine has fallen on the indicator area.

    Plate analyzers and electronic systems

    These are pregnancy determinants that are rarely found in pharmacies. Their cost is quite high, and the probability of error is minimal. But even such expensive analyzers can show a false negative answer. Why is this happening?

    Causes of quality test failures are as follows:

    • Late analysis.
    • Violation of the rules for storage and transportation of tests.
    • Expired date.
    • Conducting an analysis some time after urination. In the collected urine, substances begin to precipitate, and their concentration changes. Analyzers in this case will show a negative result even with a high content of chorionic gonadotropin.
    • Fake analyzer. Unfortunately, counterfeit medicines and tests have recently been encountered quite often.

    Pathologies of pregnancy

    Pregnancy doesn't always go perfectly. Chronic diseases, constant stress, work load lead to various disorders. There are pathological conditions in which the production of human chorionic gonadotropin is significantly reduced or even stops, despite successful conception.

    Most often this happens when the following pathologies occur:

    1. Risk of miscarriage.
    2. Frozen pregnancy.
    3. Ectopic pregnancy.
    Risk of miscarriage

    Currently, doctors do not recommend keeping a pregnancy in case of a threat of termination in the early stages. But if the child is very desirable for a woman, she must know the symptoms of this pathology in order to avoid miscarriage. You can suspect a threat of interruption by the following signs:

    • Drawing pains in the back and lower abdomen.
    • Bloody vaginal discharge.
    • A negative test with a significant and continuing delay in menstruation.
    Frozen pregnancy

    Sometimes pregnancy stops in its development. And, although the fetal egg still remains in the uterine cavity and can be seen with ultrasound, the production of chorionic gonadotropin stops. In this case, the analysis will show a negative answer, even if it was previously positive.

    A test in dynamics is used if a missed pregnancy is suspected, if a woman has too little time to perform an ultrasound scan.

    It is possible to suspect a frozen pregnancy if the symptoms of toxicosis suddenly disappeared, the chest decreased and stopped hurting.

    Ectopic pregnancy

    Despite the fact that during an ectopic pregnancy, the fetus develops in the early stages, the increase in chorionic gonadotropin is much slower. And the test can remain negative 7-10 days after a missed period.

    Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy depend on the stage of its development. If the fallopian tube ruptures, there will be a sharp pain in the lower abdomen or in the side, loss of consciousness due to bleeding into the abdominal cavity is possible. With a developing ectopic pregnancy, symptoms of toxicosis will persist, but the increase in chorionic gonadotropin, according to the tests, will turn out to be too slow or negative. And the ultrasound will not show the fetal egg in the uterus.

    The pathological course of pregnancy is not so common and almost never asymptomatic.

    Do not worry ahead of time if the test suddenly turned out to be negative. Perhaps it was simply carried out too early. And with repeated analysis, the desired result will not be long in coming.