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The Surprising Reasons Behind False Positive Pregnancy Tests

When you see those two little lines on a pregnancy test, it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions. But what if the result is incorrect? False positives can happen, and it’s essential to understand why.

How Home Pregnancy Tests Work

Over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that increases rapidly after fertilization. If hCG is present in your urine, the test will read positive. Most OTC tests claim to be accurate up to 99% of the time, but there are factors that can affect their reliability.

9 Common Causes of False Positive Pregnancy Results

So, what can lead to a false positive reading?

1. Taking the Test Too Early

It’s tempting to take a test as soon as you suspect you might be pregnant, but it’s better to wait a full week after your missed period. Tests are less accurate when taken before that, increasing the likelihood of a false positive or false negative.

2. Chemical Pregnancies

Chemical pregnancies occur when a fertilized egg fails to implant or grow. Although they’re common and often happen for no reason, they can cause the body to produce hCG, leading to a false positive reading.

3. Ectopic Pregnancies

Ectopic pregnancies occur when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. They can cause the body to produce hCG, leading to a false positive reading. If you experience sharp abdominal or pelvic pain, spotting or bleeding, dizziness, or pressure in your rectum, seek medical help immediately.

4. Recent Miscarriage or Abortion

After a miscarriage or abortion, hCG levels can take up to 6 weeks to drop back to pre-pregnancy levels. If you try to conceive shortly after, a test might pick up hCG from your previous pregnancy, giving a false positive result.

5. Evaporation Lines

Some pregnancy tests use two lines to show a positive result. A faint second line can be an evaporation line, which forms after your urine has evaporated completely. Following the test’s directions and using digital tests with readouts like “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant” can help avoid this issue.

6. Fertility Medications

Fertility treatments, such as synthetic hCG trigger shots, can cause an OTC pregnancy test to give a false positive. It’s essential to wait a full week after your missed period to test and consult your doctor.

7. Other Medications

Certain medications, including anti-anxiety drugs, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, Parkinson’s disease medications, and diuretics, can affect hormone levels and lead to a false positive reading. If you’re taking any of these medications and trying to conceive, consult your doctor.

8. Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions, such as urinary tract infections, ovarian cysts, kidney diseases, and in rare cases, ovarian cancer or pituitary problems, can affect hormone levels and pregnancy test results.

9. Other Factors

Other factors, such as certain foods or drinks, can also affect pregnancy test results. It’s essential to follow the test’s directions and consult your doctor if you’re unsure.

What to Do After a Positive Pregnancy Test

If you’ve taken a pregnancy test and it says you’re pregnant, make an appointment with your OB-GYN. They’ll retest you in their office to confirm the result. From there, if your result is indeed positive, your doctor can help you make a plan for what to do next. Remember to breathe and take it one step at a time.