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February 10, 2012

Pregnancy Test (cont.)

I got a negative result on a home pregnancy test. Might I still be pregnant?

Yes. So, most HPTs suggest women take the test again in a few days or a week.

Every woman ovulates at different times in her menstrual cycle. Plus, embryos implant in the uterus at different times. So, most home pregnancy tests (HPTs) suggest women take the test again in a few days or a week.

Sometimes women get false negative results (when the test says you are not pregnant and you are) when they test too early in the pregnancy. Other times, problems with the pregnancy can affect the amount of hCG in the urine.

If your HPT is negative, test yourself again in a few days or 1 week. If you keep getting a negative result but think you are pregnant, talk with your doctor right away.

Can anything interfere with home pregnancy test results?

Most medicines, over-the-counter and prescription, including birth control pills and antibiotics, should not affect the results of a home pregnancy test. Only medicines that have the pregnancy hormone hCG in them can give a false positive test result. A false positive is when a test says you are pregnant when you're not.

Sometimes medicines containing hCG are used to treat infertility (not being able to get pregnant). Alcohol and illegal drugs do not affect HPT results. But women who may become pregnant should not use these substances.

Source: The National Women's Health Information Center, www.womenshealth.gov


Last Editorial Review: 2/5/2007



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