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Why Your Pregnancy Test Is Negative but You Missed Your Period

Missing a Period as a Symptom of Pregnancy

Missing a period can be an early and sign of pregnancy. It occurs because, when you get pregnant, your body starts producing the hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). hCG stops your uterus from shedding its lining and stops ovulation which ends your menstrual cycle.

If you have missed a period, speak to a healthcare professional. They can confirm if you are pregnant by performing tests. If you indeed are found to be pregnant a healthcare professional like a gynecologist or obstetrician can provide you with pre-natal care.

Can a Pregnancy Test be Negative if You Missed Your Period?

A pregnancy test tests for hCG in your urine to check if you are pregnant. If you do not have this hormone in your urine, you will get a negative result. Yes, it is possible for a pregnancy test to have a negative result, even if you have missed your period. There are many reasons why this may happen such as the following:
  • Testing too early:
If you take the test too early when you miss your period, there may not be enough hCG in your urine to be detected by the test.
  • Irregular cycles:
If you have irregular menstrual cycles then it will be difficult for the pregnancy test to find hormonal changes in your uterus.
  • Diluted urine:
Drinking fluids can dilute your urine, including the concentration of hCG and if you take the test when your urine is diluted then it may not detect hCG giving a false negative.
  • Faulty test:
Pregnancy tests can sometimes be defective which will make them give inaccurate results, including false negatives.
  • Ectopic pregnancy:
In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg may implant outside the uterus and this makes the presence of hCG more difficult for a test to detect.

What to Do if You Miss Your Period but Get a Negative Pregnancy Test Result

If you miss your period but receive a negative pregnancy test result, you should wait and take some rest. Follow your menstrual cycle and check if you miss your period again.

Come to Eva IVF & Fertility Clinic if this issue persists. We have doctors who have performed countless numbers of pregnancy tests. They will be able to find out accurately if you are pregnant or not – and if you are not pregnant they will learn why you are missing your period.