If I feel pregnant, why do all the tests say negative? (2024)

If you feel as though you’re pregnant but got a negative home pregnancy test result, your symptoms could be down to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) (Willacy 2021), or you may have taken the test too early (NHS 2022a).

Can a pregnancy test be wrong?

It is possible to get a false negative pregnancy test (where the test says you're not pregnant, even though you are), particularly if you've tested before your period is due (NHS 2022a).

If you've just had one negative result, you could try waiting for at least a few days (ideally a week) before testing again, just to be sure (NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021).

If a second, later test is still negative, but you still think you could be pregnant, speak to your GP (NHS 2022a).

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How common are false negative pregnancy tests?

It's hard to say. Although many pregnancy test brands claim to be 99% accurate, this is based on users taking the test at the right time and following the instructions exactly (NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021).

Most false negative pregnancy tests happen because the test was taken too early (Willacy 2021).

How do pregnancy tests work?

Home pregnancy tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine (NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021). After conception, it takes time for hCG to rise to a level detectable by a pregnancy test (NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021).

Some very sensitive pregnancy tests can detect very low levels of hCG. Research suggests that these types of tests can detect 97% of pregnancies on the first day of a missed period when used correctly (Willacy 2021).

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Other pregnancy tests are less sensitive and will only detect hCG in your pee at higher levels. These types of tests can only detect up to two-thirds of pregnancies on the first day of a missed period (Willacy 2021).

This is why most experts recommend waiting for a few days to a week before testing again, giving the hCG in your body time to build up to detectable levels (NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021). All pregnancy tests are different, so check the instructions carefully before using one (the information leaflet inside the pack should also tell you how sensitive the test is) (NHS 2022a).

A pregnancy test will work as usual if you're on the contraceptive pill (NHS 2022a). However, certain medications can affect pregnancy test results (NHS 2022a). If you're not sure whether this could apply to you, speak to your GP.

Could there be another reason for my symptoms?

If you've waited until after your period was due, and multiple tests have come up negative, it's unlikely that you're pregnant (NHS 2022a). There's probably another explanation for the symptoms you're experiencing, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) (Willacy 2021). Read on to find out what could make you feel pregnant when you're not.

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Here are some of the most common pregnancy symptoms, with other possible reasons you might have them:

Late or missed period

There are several reasons that your period could be days or weeks late, or even stop altogether (NHS 2019a).

Some women naturally have an irregular period, which can be longer or shorter each month, or heavier or lighter each time (NHS 2019a). But if you're usually regular, and your period doesn't arrive on time, it could be down to:

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  • stress
  • being over-or under-weight
  • excessive exercise
  • polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • taking the contraceptive pill
  • menopause (particularly if you're over 45)
  • other medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or thyroid problems
    (NHS 2019a)

Learn more about what causes late periods and when to see your GP.

You might also wonder whether you're pregnant if you've experienced spotting or bleeding between periods. Many women do indeed experience light bleeding in very early pregnancy (often known as implantation bleeding) (Willacy 2021).

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However, there are several other possible reasons for bleeding in between periods (NHS 2019b).

Learn more about what it means if you think you're pregnant, but you're bleeding.

Tender breasts

If your breasts are more sensitive than usual, this could be a sign of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) (NHS 2020a, NHS 2021a). Many women find their breasts become a little tender up to two weeks before their period arrives (NHS 2020a, NHS 2021a). If you're trying to conceive, it's only natural to pay extra attention to how your body is feeling, so you may notice this tenderness more than usual (Willacy 2021).

Less commonly, sore breasts can be a sign of a condition such as mastitis (NHS 2020a) (which can happen even if you're not breastfeeding). Mastitis usually only affects one breast. If the pain is awful, your breast looks red or swollen, or you also have a temperature, see your GP (NHS 2020a).

Cramps or bloating

As with tender breasts, tummy cramps or bloating can also be a sign that your period is on its way (NHS 2020b, NHS 2021a). If it lasts beyond your period, it could be a sign of illness, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (NHS 2020b). See your GP if the pain is getting worse, keeps coming back, or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as bleeding, discharge, or pain when using the toilet (NHS 2020b).

Fatigue

Tiredness is yet another classic PMS syndrome (NHS 2021a). It can also be associated with depression, anxiety and stress (NHS 2021c), which may be more likely if you have been trying to conceive for a long time. If you're suffering from low mood, your GP can help (NHS 2021c).

Some medical conditions can also cause extreme tiredness, such as anaemia (iron deficiency), sleep apnoea, or an underactive thyroid (NHS 2021c). If you're feeling tired all the time, and getting plenty of rest and sleep doesn't help, see your GP (NHS 2021c).

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Morning sickness

Nausea and vomiting could be due to a simple tummy bug, usually caused by either food poisoning or a virus (NHS 2021c). If so, it should get better on its own within a few days (NHS 2021c). In the meantime, call in sick to work, and be sure to drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration (NHS 2021c). If you're still vomiting after two days, call NHS 111 for advice (NHS 2021c).

Frequent urination

Women in the early stages of pregnancy often need to wee more frequently due to pregnancy hormones (Willacy 2021, Willacy 2022). However, it can also happen if you have a condition such as a urinary tract infection (UTI) or diabetes (Willacy 2022). If you're finding that you need to wee more often than usual, see your GP (Willacy 2022).

Vaginal discharge changes

While increased vaginal discharge can sometimes be an early pregnancy symptom, it's also normal for the type and amount of discharge to vary throughout your menstrual cycle (NHS 2021b). If the discharge is clear or white and doesn't smell bad, it's probably just a natural change that's nothing to worry about (NHS 2021b).

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See your GP if you notice any changes to the colour, smell or texture of your vaginal discharge, though, as it could be a sign of an infection, such as thrush or bacterial vaginosis (NHS 2021b).

Can twins cause a false negative pregnancy test?

If you’re pregnant with twins or more, you are most likely to have an earlier positive result. This is because the levels of hCG in your system are likely to be higher if you're pregnant with more than one baby (Willacy 2021).

In rare cases, high levels of hCG can lead to what's known as the 'hook effect' (Willacy 2021). This is where levels of hCG are so high that they can overwhelm a pregnancy test, leading to a false negative (Willacy 2021). However, this doesn't happen very often, and is unlikely to be the cause of a negative pregnancy test (Willacy 2021).

If your pregnancy symptoms continue, but the tests are still showing negative, speak to your GP. (NHS 2022a)

Are blood pregnancy tests more accurate?

In the first few weeks after conception, a blood pregnancy test is more likely to be able to detect pregnancy (Bastian & Brown 2023). This is because blood tests are more sensitive than urine tests, and can detect lower levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG. Levels of hCG are also higher in blood than they are in urine (Bastian & Brown 2023).

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However, even a blood test can't usually detect pregnancy until after a fertilised egg has implanted in the womb. This typically happens about eight to 10 days after ovulation (Bastian & Brown 2023).

Because it can be difficult to tell exactly when you ovulated, a very early negative pregnancy blood test could still be wrong if fertilisation and implantation happened later than expected (Bastian & Brown 2023).

The NHS doesn't typically offer blood tests to confirm pregnancy unless your doctor suspects there might be a problem, such as ectopic pregnancy (NHS nd). Some private providers may offer hCG blood tests, but they can be expensive (up to £100).

Instead of getting a pregnancy blood test, most experts recommend waiting a week and using another home pregnancy test (Bastian & Brown 2023, Willacy 2021).

If the test remains negative, speak to your GP, who can organise a blood test if necessary (NHS 2022a). If you've been trying to conceive for a while without success, it may be worth seeing your GP for a fertility check-up. If you're 35 or younger, you and your partner can get fertility tests if you've been trying for at least a year. If you're over 35, see your GP sooner than this – they may offer tests after about six months of trying.

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More information:

  • Read our expert tips on how to cope with not conceiving.
  • Learn more about how to get a fertility test.
  • Find out what a faint line on a pregnancy test really means.
If I feel pregnant, why do all the tests say negative? (2024)
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