What is a false positive pregnancy test?

In the life of virtually every woman, there inevitably comes a minute when one has to use a pregnancy test. Someone, with bated breath, is waiting for a positive result, someone - on the contrary, negative. But, it turns out, not always the test can show the exact result. Sometimes you can get a false positive test for pregnancy, that is, it will show two cherished strips, but, in fact, there will be no pregnancy. What turns out, tests lie? Let's understand.

Let's start with the question of how the test "finds out" that a woman is pregnant. A strip of dough is impregnated with a special reagent that reacts to the change in hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin , contained in the urine). The amount of this hormone usually increases dramatically during pregnancy, and the test reacts to this change by the appearance of a second strip. But is this "answer" always accurate? Unfortunately, a false pregnancy test is not that rare. That is, we see two strips, but fertilization has not happened at the moment. Producers therefore recommend recommending the test a few days later, especially if the test was applied at very short terms (before the delay in menstruation). The exact answer - whether there is pregnancy or not - will give only a blood test, where the content of hCG is determined with minimal correction.

The test can also give a false negative result. And this, of course, is much worse than a false positive pregnancy test. You can even say that such a result is dangerous. Why? But after all, the test will show a negative result, while the woman is pregnant! The future mother sees one strip and calms down, continues to lead the former way of life, which led up to this moment. Many smoke, drink alcohol (although in moderate amounts, but this will suffice for the developing organism). After all, there does not always come a delay, it sometimes happens that the months are still a couple of months pregnant. Therefore, if doubts still remain, it is better to donate blood and get an exact answer about your health.

False positive pregnancy test. Causes and consequences

If you did the test before the delay, it is entirely permissible that the result will not be accurate. This is explained by the fact that the hormone chorion begins to be produced immediately after fertilization. But its percentage is quite individual for every woman. With the development of pregnancy, the number of chorion increases. Therefore, to do a test is recommended after a delay of at least one day, in this case - it is more likely that the test "will tell you the truth."

But, for a number of reasons, the hormone hCG can be produced in the body not only during pregnancy. That's why sometimes there is a false positive test for pregnancy. One of the reasons for this "response" test can be trophoblastic neoplasms. They develop from the same cells that produce the hCG hormone. Also, a recent abortion, miscarriage or interruption of an ectopic pregnancy can provoke a false result. Some medications that contain hCG also affect the result if you took them shortly before the test. By the way, ectopic pregnancy is also indicated by a test in the form of two strips, and this is dangerous for life. Therefore it is recommended to make ultrasound after the test to make sure that the fetal egg is attached to the uterus.

However, for a false positive pregnancy test, you can also take the so-called fuzzy strips. They are usually barely discernible, only under certain lighting or at some angle. This often happens if the tests were stored incorrectly, their expiration date has expired or they have been of poor quality. But such fuzzy stripes may indicate that you have done a test too early - that is, the hormone hCG is still not enough. If the test shows a negative result, but the delay is observed, you can not postpone the visit to the doctor - it can be dangerous for women's health.

A home test is convenient, simple and completely accessible to every woman. However, it is not necessary after a long time to postpone visiting a gynecologist. Only a doctor can accurately determine whether there is pregnancy or not, and also help to avoid all kinds of troubles and complications, such as ectopic pregnancy.