Wondering if you’re pregnant or not can feel confusing and overwhelming. It is important to have the clarity you need to move forward with confidence and peace.
Keep reading to learn the reasons for a negative pregnancy test and what to do if you missed your period but the test was negative. You can also schedule a no-cost appointment at Alpha Center to receive a lab-quality pregnancy test.
7 Reasons for a Negative Pregnancy Test After a Missed Period
#1. Your hormones haven’t risen enough yet.
It’s possible that hCG (the hormone pregnancy tests screen for in your urine or blood) hasn’t risen to detectable levels yet. Even if you have missed your period, sometimes it still takes more time to deliver a positive result.
#2. Your test was defective.
Pregnancy tests have expiration dates, which can lead to inaccurate results. Also, if the control line doesn’t appear on the pregnancy test, the test result is invalid.
#3. Your urine was too dilute.
If you took your pregnancy test after drinking lots of water, it could be that your urine was too dilute for the pregnancy test to detect the hCG hormone. Try testing first thing in the morning.
#5. You took the test incorrectly.
It’s important to follow the instructions when taking a pregnancy test. Set a timer if the directions say to check the results at a certain time. Only view the test result at that time.
#6. You misread the results.
It’s also possible that you missed a positive result if you did not notice a very faint positive line. The positive line can darken over time as hCG rises, making the positive test result more obvious. Digital tests are less difficult to read since they spell out the result (“Pregnant”) instead of showing lines.
#7. Your period is running late.
It could be that your period is running late and you haven’t missed it. Sometimes stress can delay a period, especially if you have been very stressed about the possibility of being pregnant.
What to Do Now?
If you want to continue testing at home, take another pregnancy test in the morning after waking up. Ensure you follow all the instructions and that the test hasn’t expired. Check the results at the designated time.
If the test is still negative and your period hasn’t arrived yet, you can wait longer to test again or see if your period arrives. You may want to visit a medical provider for a pregnancy blood test or to investigate your irregular periods if you continue receiving negative results.
You can also visit Alpha Center for a no-cost and confidential pregnancy test appointment. If your test is positive, we can offer you an ultrasound. We will help you find out for sure. Schedule your appointment today!