Is it Possible to Have Pregnancy Symptoms But Negative Tests?

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Experiencing pregnancy symptoms but negative test results may be disheartening for women trying to conceive. The tests for pregnancy involve checking your blood or urine for the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone. Home pregnancy tests detect the presence of the hCG hormone in urine. hCG is produced in the body after the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus, and its levels increase in blood and urine during the first trimester. However, these tests are not 100% accurate and may produce false-negative or false-positive results (1) (2).

Continue reading this post to learn what may cause a negative pregnancy test despite having symptoms of pregnancy.

True Pregnancy With Pregnancy Symptoms But Negative Test

Urine pregnancy tests may produce false-negative results, that is, the test may show you are not pregnant while you are actually carrying a baby.

This may happen due to:

1. Taking the test too early in pregnancy

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The amount of hCG increases as the pregnancy progresses and may take some time to reach a level that a test is capable of detecting (3). So, the test kit may fail to detect low levels of the hormone if tested too early and show a negative result. In such a case, you can test again after a week.

Did you know?

An average of 15% of women may not be able to detect their pregnancy on the first day of their missed menstrual cycle (4).

A mother shares her story of getting a false negative pregnancy test due to testing too early, even before her expected period. “When I conceived my first child, I had this feeling that I could be pregnant. Then, I decided to go for a pregnancy test. After carrying out the test, the lab scientist approached me and told me I had a negative result. Although, I saw the look of confusion on his face that said he wasn’t so sure. “When it was time for me to have my period, I had repeated menstrual cramps for some days without getting my period. Finally, it came, but it wasn’t flowing as expected. Little did I know that it was implantation bleeding. I was a little worried but decided to see my gynecologist. After taking my medical history, he (gynecologist) told me to lie down for a physical examination. He checked me. Imagine my surprise when I got the news of ‘congratulations,’ you are two months pregnant (i).”

2. Having hormones in amounts lower than the detectable levels

Certain factors may be responsible for a low level of hCG hormone at the time of test (5) (6).

• The hCG levels may naturally vary among women with normal pregnancies, with peak and low hCG levels at different times.
• There may be an imprecise estimation of the expected day of the next menstrual period, causing low levels of hCG at the time of the test.
• Testing later in the day where the hormone concentration may be affected by water intake.

3. Diluted sample

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It is advised to use the first morning urine for the test as it is supposed to have the highest concentration of hCG (4). Drinking a lot of water before the test or even the night before may dilute the urine and reduce its hCG content below the detectable limit of the test.

4. Delay in taking the test

The following situations may arise if there is a delay in taking the test (7) (8).

• The mechanism of a usual positive test progresses by the sandwiching of free antibodies, fixed antibodies, and the hCG molecules. If the hCG levels are too high, they separately saturate the two types of antibodies, preventing the sandwich formation known as the hook effect. This phenomenon may give a false-negative result.
• Different variants of hCG may be present later in pregnancy, and some tests may fail to detect these, showing a negative result.

5. Erroneous methods or a faulty test kit

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Though the majority of the home pregnancy test kits follow similar methods, it is always advisable to read the instructions carefully before performing the test. Not following the instructions may cause errors in the results. A particular test kit may be faulty due to manufacturing defects or improper handling and storage. Consider using a digital pregnancy test, as it minimizes the chances of misreading results and is more user-friendly than traditional line tests. Additionally, ensure that the kit is new as the results may not be reliable past the expiry date.

Point to consider

The accuracy of the test results also relies on proper test kit usage and a correct understanding of the results (6).

Conditions Causing Pregnancy Symptoms But Negative Pregnancy Test

All fertilized eggs may not result in a healthy pregnancy and may be associated with abnormal medical conditions such as:

• Ectopic pregnancy: It is the condition where the embryo develops outside the uterus, mostly in the fallopian tube. Initially, you may experience pregnancy symptoms similar to a normal pregnancy with signs such as breast tenderness, missed menstrual period, or an upset stomach (9). However, since it is not a normal pregnancy, the hCG levels will be too low and will lead to a negative test result.

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• Molar pregnancy: According to the American Pregnancy Association, molar pregnancies are prevalent among one in 1000 pregnancies. It is a rare condition where abnormal fertilization causes an abnormal fetus to form. The placental tissue grows as a cellular mass inside the uterus. These benign tumor cells may release high amounts of hCG, producing a hook effect or degradation products of hCG not detectable by test kits. In both cases, a negative test result is obtained (10). A molar pregnancy may initially produce regular signs of pregnancy, such as morning sickness and sore breasts, but the pregnancy ends in a miscarriage (11)

Consult a healthcare provider if you experience persistent pregnancy symptoms despite negative test results. Early medical intervention can help address underlying conditions that may require prompt attention.

Factors That May Make You Feel Pregnant When You Are Not

Hormonal fluctuations in the body may cause pregnancy-like symptoms.

1. Premenstrual syndrome

It is a group of symptoms that occur due to hormonal fluctuations before a menstrual period. The symptoms include breast swelling or tenderness, fatigue, dizziness, backaches, mood swings, and stomach discomfort that may resemble those during pregnancy (12). The hormone progesterone is considered responsible for it (13) (14).

2. Ovulation

Similar symptoms but in milder forms may appear during the release of eggs from the ovaries (15). If the duration of your menstrual cycle varies, ovulation symptoms may be mistaken for signs of pregnancy.

Quick fact

Some women may experience symptoms similar to early pregnancy during ovulation, such as bloating, cramps, light spotting, or breast soreness (21).

3. Medications

Medications used in fertility treatments consist of hormones, such as progesterone and gonadotropins, which are similar to the ones secreted by the body to initiate and maintain pregnancy. These agents may have side effects that resemble pregnancy symptoms if you are undergoing such treatments to assist fertility (16) (17).

4. Pseudocyesis

It is a rare psychosomatic disorder where a woman falsely believes she is pregnant. It manifests the signs and symptoms of pregnancy from irregular or no periods, distended abdomen, food cravings, nausea and vomiting, breast shape and size changes to even sensing fetal movements and milk secretion. Several neuronal, hormonal, and pathological conditions (tumors, cysts, or fibroids in the reproductive organs) have been found responsible (18).

Dealing With Stress When Trying To Conceive

The waiting cycle of tracking your fertile days, trying to conceive, and testing for pregnancy can become stressful. However, you must remember that stress may reduce your chances of conceiving, and it is crucial to take care of your mental well-being in addition to your physical health (19). Take care of your mental health by (20):

• Following a good lifestyle with nutritious food and moderate exercise
• Expressing your feelings to your partner, a trusted friend, or a family member
• Making time to pursue your hobbies
• Relaxing with meditation or mindfulness techniques

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• Seeking medical help if you feel overwhelmed or have doubts

Several symptoms similar to but unrelated to pregnancy may excite you when you are planning a pregnancy. For example, nausea and vomiting may be associated with indigestion or an intestinal infection and stomach or abdominal cramping with frequent urination, a result of a urinary tract infection. Track your menstrual cycle accurately and undergo the pregnancy test at the recommended time. Two successive negative reports, one week apart, are seldom wrong. Make sure you strictly follow the instructions mentioned in the package insert. However, do not delay seeing a doctor if you continue experiencing pregnancy symptoms but negative test results.

Infographic: Possible Reasons For A Negative Pregnancy Test

The home pregnancy test kits show reliable results when hCG reaches detectable levels. This may be a few days after implantation. Several other factors may cause pregnancy symptoms without a viable embryo. So, scroll through the infographic below to learn about the reasons for negative pregnancy tests.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Is it Possible to Have Pregnancy Symptoms But Negative Tests?

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Irene (Eirini) OrfanoudakiPhD, MD

Dr. Irene (Eirini) Orfanoudaki is a gynecologist-obstetrician, having a private practice in Heraklion, Crete, and collaborating with private health clinic 'MITERA' - Euromeda in Heraklion. With around 21 years of experience as a gynecologist-obstetrician, she specializes in ultrasound, colposcopy, minimal and advance gynecologic surgery, aesthetic gynecology, fertility consulting, menopause consulting, operative obstetrics, high-risk pregnancy, normal deliveries, antenatal, intra-parum, postnatal care, breast diseases, and teenage issues.

Read full bio of Dr. Irene (Eirini) Orfanoudaki

Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

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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).

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Reshmi DasMSc

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a clinical coordinator, medical content writer and medical conference coordinator. Her continuous interest in medical journals and writing makes her write well-researched articles for MomJunction.

Read full bio of Reshmi Das