It’s possible to have a positive pregnancy test even if you aren’t technically pregnant. This is called a false positive. It’s sometimes caused by a chemical pregnancy. A chemical pregnancy occurs if a fertilized egg, known as the embryo, is unable to implant, or grow, very early on. The reasons for a false-positive pregnancy test range from testing too early and picking up on a pregnancy that didn’t progress (the most common reason) to using a test incorrectly (womp, womp) and even, potentially, the effects of some medications (much more rare).
Table of Contents
What can cause a false positive pregnancy test?
7 Reasons Your Pregnancy Test Gave A False-PositiveYou Had A Miscarriage or Abortion Recently. … Some Medications Can Trigger False-Positives. … Medical Conditions Are Sometimes to Blame. … Confusing Evaporation Lines. … User Error. … An Ectopic Pregnancy. … A Chemical Pregnancy.7 Reasons Your Pregnancy Test Gave A False-Positive
How common are false positive pregnancy tests first response?
For example, a First Response Early Result will only detect a pregnancy in 62% of women when used 6 days early as advertised – that’s a 1 in 3 chance of being wrong.
Can you get a false positive pregnancy test?
However, in rare instances, you can get a false positive from: a recent pregnancy (e.g. after miscarriage, recent birth or termination) certain medications containing the hCG hormone, like some fertility treatments However, there are cases when you may get a positive result and then find out later you are no longer pregnant – but you were.
What causes a positive HCG pregnancy test result?
You’ve recently been pregnant. You’ve been taking fertility medications that contain hCG. You have a very rare medical condition, like ovarian cysts, that produce hCG and turn your result positive. Do I need to confirm my pregnancy test?
Can a pregnancy test be wrong if taken too soon?
But hCG levels start out very low and increase over time. If you take the test too soon after conceiving, it might say you’re not pregnant when you really are. In other words, timing can lead to a false negative. But what about a false positive? False positives aren’t super common, Dr. Emery says.
What medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test?
Other medications can also cause false-positive pregnancy tests. They include but aren’t limited to: anti-anxiety medications, like diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax) antipsychotics, such as clozapine or chlorpromazine
