QuestionI have been having all the signs of pregnancy...lightheaded, headaches, minor
cramping, lower back pain and frequent trips to the bathroom. However, I have
taken 3 home pregnancy tests and they are all negative. My last period was one
month and 5 days ago. I am convinced I am pregnant - is this possible? What
could be giving me false negatives? I used the first response test.
AnswerDear Jen,
False negative pregnancy test results are typically due to testing too early or improperly. Although some tests claim accuracy on the first day of a missed period, I usually suggest that women wait until the week after a missed or spotty period before testing for pregnancy. This tends to minimize the incidence of false negative results and also avoids wasting money on a test for a simple delay of a period by a few days. When you test make sure to use 1st morning urine to get a concentrated sample for the most accurate results.
The symptoms you describe are hormonal in nature and can also be related to hormone fluctuations within your cycle. That is why it so difficult to "diagnose" a pregnancy based on symptoms alone - because the delay may only indicate a bit of a hormonal imbalance. However, if you have had unprotected sex during the last cycle or two, you cannot dismiss the possibility of pregnancy.
I would suggest waiting another 5-7 days and testing again. If those results are negative, you can either wait for the next cycle to see if your periods resume or have your doctor's office do a quantitative blood pregnancy test (serum beta hCG). That test will give an actual amount of hCG in your bloodstream rather than just a positive/negative result. Any amount of 25 mIU/ml or more would be considered positive for pregnancy.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
