A positive pregnancy test is definitely an emotional moment for any woman, regardless of the stage in her life. But what happens when there's a positive pregnancy test without an actual pregnancy?

False-positive pregnancy tests are rare, but a more common situation is an abnormal progression of pregnancy.

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about false positives and cases where a test is initially positive but later becomes negative.

When should I take a pregnancy test?

Let’s start with the basics. It's best not to take a pregnancy test too early. Yes, there are early detection tests, and with the pregnancy test strips from Hometest, you can test daily as early as 5-6 days before your expected period.

However, if the test is taken too early, it may not be completely reliable. There's a high chance of getting a negative result even if you're pregnant, as hCG hormone levels might still be low.

The issue isn't only the risk of a false negative. You might get a faint positive result which later becomes negative, indicating that the pregnancy unfortunately did not progress.

Therefore, it's recommended to take the pregnancy test on the first day of a missed period for 100% reliable results.

How does a pregnancy test work and why can it give false results?

A pregnancy test detects the hormone beta-hCG (beta-human chorionic gonadotropin) in a woman’s urine, which increases rapidly during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.

If the hormone is detected, the test will show a positive result either via digital display (YES) or a second line in the results window.

However, in early pregnancy, hCG levels may still be low, so the test may not detect it, resulting in a false negative.

On the other hand, since the test reacts to hCG, it’s rare—though not impossible—to receive a false positive.

Positive pregnancy test and then negative: What does it mean?

The most likely explanation is that the test was initially positive, indicating a pregnancy, but the pregnancy did not progress normally.

This is often a heartbreaking experience, especially for women trying to conceive, and that's why Hometest recommends testing on the first day of your missed period—not earlier.

A considerable percentage of pregnancies do not progress properly. Many end before the expected period, and without testing, most women wouldn't even know they were pregnant.

Cases where the pregnancy test is initially positive, but the pregnancy doesn’t develop normally include:

  • Chemical pregnancy: The most common reason why a pregnancy test goes from positive to negative. The pregnancy begins (hCG is produced), but it does not develop and is naturally expelled (often with the period or shortly after). It's called “chemical” because it’s only confirmed via urine test, not ultrasound.
  • Molar pregnancy: In this case, a gestational sac develops and hCG is produced, but there is no embryo due to abnormal genetic material. Learn more about molar pregnancy.
  • Ectopic pregnancy: The embryo implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. hCG is produced but doesn’t rise normally, so the test may remain faint and not darken as expected.

Generally, the test line should become darker day by day. Using pregnancy test strips lets you check affordably if the pregnancy is progressing normally.

Beta-hCG doubles every 48 hours in early pregnancy. If the test remains faint or the line fades instead of darkening, it may mean the hormone is not increasing as it should.

In such cases, you should consult your doctor immediately. Especially with ectopic pregnancy, it's a potentially life-threatening condition requiring urgent care.

If you experience sharp abdominal pain on one side or vaginal bleeding with pain or discomfort, seek medical advice as soon as possible.

When can a pregnancy test give a false positive?

Although rare, a pregnancy test can sometimes show a positive result when you're not pregnant.

This can occur in the following cases:

  • Recent pregnancy: After a recent birth, miscarriage, or abortion, hCG may still be present in the body, leading to a false positive result.
  • Medication: Fertility drugs that contain hCG (usually administered by injection) may cause a false positive result.
  • Ovarian cyst: Although rare, some ovarian cysts may secrete hCG.
  • Cancer: Certain cancers, particularly reproductive cancers, can alter hormone levels and cause false positives.
  • Hormonal imbalances: These typically occur in women approaching menopause.

In conclusion, a false positive test is uncommon. Most positive tests that later fade or become negative indicate that the pregnancy did not progress properly.

Hometest pregnancy tests are 100% reliable when taken on the first day of a missed period. By testing at the right time, you avoid finding out about a biochemical pregnancy—which is more common than most women realize.

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