i know this is a really stupid q, but can a pregnancy test show negative but ur still pregnant?

Question

i still haven't had my period but took a test last week which was negative. I took the m.a pill in January and had a light period the week after which didn't last very long. Am i worrying for no reason?!!

Answer 1

Can I still be pregnant if the test is negative (have a "false negative")? In a word, yes. You could be testing too early (before your baby is making enough pregnancy hormone to be detected by the test.) And some women (this is fairly rare, but possible) never get a positive urine test even when they're definitely pregnant (for some reason the hormone doesn't make it into their urine.) I have a friend who didn't get a positive HPT until 25 DPO! (With her second baby, a test at 23 DPO was negative . . . but a test on 30 DPO was positive. Oddly enough, with #3, her positive test came at only 12 DPO.) If you get a negative test but think you might be preggo anyway, wait a couple of days (giving the hCG hormone time to build up) and try again. It's not over until the fat lady sings-- and your period crashes the party.

If you are not monitoring your fertility in any way (OPK's, charting cervical mucus or basal temperature, ultrasounds) it becomes extra-tricky. There are two parts to every menstrual cycle: from the start of your period to ovulation, which can vary quite a bit in length, and from ovulation to your next period, which is usually consistent in length. (This second half is known as the "luteal phase," and the normal range is 10-16 days. It's normal for your typical luteal phase to vary by a day or two. For example, mine is normally 11 days, but 10 and 12 are not unheard of either. I have also had a couple of longer ones by total fluke.)

Because ovulation can happen at any time, it's possible your egg was delayed for some reason (stress, illness, travel, excitement.) This doesn't mean your period is actually "late" (it could arrive within the normal 10-16 days after ovulation), but rather than your entire cycle was delayed due to a later-than-usual ovulation.

Answer 2

A pregnancy test can show a false negative. The accuracy will depend on the levels of pregnancy hormones in your system. For example if you were technically only a few days pregnant, the hormone levels may not have yet reached a level where they would show up on a standard home pregnancy test.

The morning after pill is technically a huge dose of hormones. It can interfere with your normal cycle for a little while. In many cases is will bring on a period which possible wasn't due. This will throw you out of whack regarding your normal dates.

The chances are that you aren't pregnant. My advice would be to either wait another week and do another home pregnancy test, or, if you're really worried, pop to your doctor and explain the situation. He or she will be able to perform a far more accurate test and set your mind at rest.

I hope it all works out for you.

Answer 3

It can show a false negative, yes. The at home pregnancy tests detect a certain amount of the hormone HCG. When you're body doesn't have the specific number or more of that hormone, it shows up as a negative result. It either means that you're not pregnant, or your body hasn't produced enough of that hormone to set off the test into a positive...

I'm not sure what the "M.a pill" is. So I couldn't help you more. But I'm guessing that since you haven't had a period since Janurary, (And what looks like it could be implantion bleeding, since it was light and short.) you could very well be pregnant. Go to a doctor. Or go to a planned parenthood for free. (I have to warn you. They don't schedule for pregnancy tests. So you'll have to go early.)

Answer 4

It depends when in your cycle you test. If you test before you expected your period, then a false negative is quite common. However, if you test after the day you expected your period then it is unlikely that you would get a negative if you are pregnant. Home tests are reliable for over 99% of women who use them.
The morning after pill is a big dose of hormones and can mess up your cycle. I think you are worrying for no reason and don't think you are pregnant. It is extremely unlikely that if you got pregnant in January a test wouldn't be showing up by now. You would also probably have lots of other pregnancy symptoms.

Answer 5

It is not at all a stupid question, and yes, the test can come up with a false negative. It takes a while for the hormones for which the test looks to become measurable. The directions should tell when the test is likely to be reliable.

Answer 6

i had to do loads of tests and even two at the doctors before any turned up positive, now 30 weeks. Doc said it would of just bin because my hormone level wasnt very high. but i was 6 weeks before i found out for def. Good Luck

Answer 7

YESS !! it can come up false but if your still getting your period & you not on the pill you dont have anything to worry about. But jsut to be sure goto the doctor or clinic & get a blood pregnacy test. =]

Answer 8

yes i did one it was positive but couldnt beleive it so i did seven more tests and five were negative but it turned out i was having a ectopic pregnancy which is serious so go to the doctor to be sure good luck babe xxx

Answer 9

if you have the period you should be okay, but did u hv sex in FEB or March? juz go to the pharmacy and buy one more pregnancy test strips and you will know the answer , good luck

Answer 10

yes it can you should go to your doctors and take another teat but it could just have been the pill that gave you a light period i wish you all the best