Positive Pregnancy Test But No Symptoms: 6 Possible Reasons

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You must have heard about the symptoms that mark early pregnancy, such as morning sickness, breast changes, and fatigue. However, it is possible to get a positive pregnancy test without any symptoms. If this happens to you, take a second test or consult a doctor. In addition, you may need to undergo blood and urine tests to confirm whether you are pregnant or not.

In this post, we explain some of the possible reasons behind a positive pregnancy test with no symptoms and when to see a doctor. We also address some frequently asked questions, such as whether it is possible to be pregnant and not test positive.

Positive Pregnancy Test But No Symptoms: Why Does It Happen?

Pregnancy tests check your urine or blood for hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone.

Your body is likely to produce this hormone about six days after fertilization (1), and the hormone levels may double every two to three days (2).

Micaela Cook, an expectant mother, talks about being pregnant without encountering any early signs of pregnancy, “I got pregnant, and I had the least amount of symptoms. I didn’t have cramping, bloating, heavy urination, breast tenderness, fatigue, nausea, or food aversions. I tracked my cycle on the flow app and documented my symptoms. Out of all the cycles that I had previously documented, I experienced the least amount of two-week symptoms in the cycle that I was pregnant. Even my mood swings and irritability were much less (i).”

Pregnancy symptoms vary widely. Some women notice signs early, while others may not experience symptoms until much later. If the test result shows positive, but there are no accompanying signs that you are pregnant, the following could be the possible reasons.

1. You may not have recognized the early symptoms: Implantation occurs about the same time your menstrual period is due. You might have taken the light bleeding and cramping (as a result of implantation) (3) for a period.

2. You may have taken the test too early: Some women start experiencing symptoms a week or two after conception, while others may experience it after a few months. It takes about six to 12 days for the fertilized egg to attach to the uterus (4) and become viable, after which you may take the test. The test result may come positive but the symptoms might take time to appear.

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3. You may have attributed the symptoms to some other causes: You might have taken certain symptoms such as nausea or dizziness for something else other than pregnancy. For instance, you might think that fatigue was a result of a long workweek or strenuous activity, and your mood swings have been caused by stress.

4. You may experience subtle changes: You may not always have visible changes such as edema, morning sickness, or frequent urination. Sometimes, you may only experience subtle changes such as fatigue, minor appetite changes, aches, or mood swings, which are hardly noticeable. Hormonal fluctuations can also affect the perception of symptoms.

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5. Ectopic pregnancy. It is a condition wherein the fertilized embryo implants outside the uterus in 95% of cases in the fallopian tube. It is not viable but still produces hCG (5).

6. False-positive pregnancy test results: False–positive test results may also occur when the test shows positive even if you are not pregnant. This could happen due to factors that may mess with the pregnancy test results. These factors may include: 

• • Chemical pregnancy : It is a miscarriage that occurs before you know you are pregnant. A low level of hCG could be present in the blood or urine and may give a positive result (6).

• • Fertility medications, anti-anxiety medications, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, antipsychotics, and diuretics may also cause false positives if you take the test immediately after taking the course of medicine (7).

• • Taking the test when your urine is diluted or letting the test kit sit too long may also lead to a false-positive result. Read the kit directions and take the test accordingly. Also, check for its expiry, since it may also affect the test results (7) (8).

Quick fact

A false positive test may also happen if you have kidney disease, an ovarian cyst, a UTI, a pituitary gland problem, or a miscarriage or abortion recently (10).

When To See A Doctor?

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A positive test without symptoms can cause uncertainty and anxiety. If you have a positive test result, it is crucial to follow up with your doctor for appropriate prenatal care. They may conduct a blood test (serum beta HCG) and a urine test to confirm your pregnancy. These may be followed by an ultrasound to (a transvaginal scan can detect pregnancy as early as five weeks) check for the gestational sac and determine if the pregnancy is normal. Furthermore, pregnant women must undergo regular fetal ultrasound scans during subsequent doctor visits to assess fetal health, development, and movement and support good maternal health.

You may check your basal body temperature at home, which usually remains elevated during pregnancy. However, it’s essential to consult with your gynecologist to confirm your pregnancy and discuss any concerns you may have.

Did you know?

While uncommon, about one in 475 pregnant women may not experience any symptoms of pregnancy till they are 20 weeks pregnant, and one in 2500 pregnancies is not diagnosed until the woman goes into labor (11).

Infographic: Why You May See A Positive Pregnancy Test Without Symptoms

When you spot a positive pregnancy test, you may be expecting pregnancy-related symptoms to begin after that. Nevertheless, there may be several reasons for not having symptoms despite a positive test result. Here is an infographic discussing a few causes for a positive pregnancy test without symptoms.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Positive Pregnancy Test But No Symptoms: 6 Possible Reasons

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

Are you already 5 weeks pregnant, but don’t have any symptoms? Find out if this is normal or if there is any cause for worry. Also, know the signs requiring medical assistance during early pregnancy.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Subhashis Samajder MS, DNB

Dr. Subhashis Samajder, a consultant gynecologist-obstetrician with nine years of experience, is currently practicing at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Howrah. His area of expertise includes abortion, colposcopy surgery, hysterectomy, hysteroscopy, infertility treatment, and menopausal problems.

Read full bio of Subhashis Samajder

Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

Read full bio of Rebecca Malachi

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

Read full bio of Swati Patwal

Aneesha AmonzMSc

Aneesha holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from USTM, Meghalaya and Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology from VIT, Vellore. With two years of experience, she has worked on different research projects in the field of Food Sciences.

Read full bio of Aneesha Amonz