There are a variety of reasons you can have a negative pregnancy test, including low hormone levels, lifestyle, and other medical factors.
We’re here to help navigate potential causes and determine the best next steps for you.
Low Hormone Levels
Sometimes, levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) early in pregnancy aren’t yet high enough for a home pregnancy test to give a positive result.
A woman’s cycle can vary widely, so if you conceive later in your cycle, your hormone levels may not be high enough at the time of your missed period for a test to detect a pregnancy. There can be as much as a 13-day difference in when ovulation occurs, meaning that you may think you are 4 weeks pregnant when you are only two weeks.
Pregnancy implantation bleeding, recent hormonal contraceptive use, or breastfeeding can all interfere with accurately knowing the first day of your last menstrual period.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can cause some irregularities in your cycle. Even after your baby arrives and your period returns, it may take some time before your cycle goes back to normal.
Hormonal Birth Control
Hormonal birth control may cause irregularities in your cycle. Hormonal birth control includes birth control pills, injections, implants, and IUDs.
Other Medical Factors
- Medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid problems may cause women to have highly irregular cycles and missed periods.
- Some women may have very light periods, some may have very heavy periods and some may skip periods altogether.
- Menopause for women typically begins around age 50. In some women, it can start prematurely, before the age of 40. It’s different for everyone.
- Some types of medications may lead to a missed period. For example, allergy medications
can throw off your cycle.
Missed Periods
- If you think you may be pregnant after a missed period but got a negative result on your pregnancy test, wait a week and then retest. If you continue to miss your period, be sure to talk to your doctor, who may order a blood pregnancy test.
- If you miss your period three months in a row and have a negative pregnancy test, you should make an appointment with a health care provider.
Rare Cases
Ectopic Pregnancy
It’s rare, but sometimes an ectopic pregnancy can show up as negative on a pregnancy test. This happens in less than 3 percent of ectopic pregnancies. Seek medical attention if your pregnancy test is negative and you have these symptoms:
- Severe pain low in your abdomen or on one side
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Bleeding or spotting
- Nausea and vomiting
False Negative
It’s rare, but some women don’t get a positive urine pregnancy test even when they are pregnant. A blood test is needed to confirm pregnancy.
Q&A
Question: Should I see my doctor if I miss my period and have a negative pregnancy test?
Answer: If you miss your period three months in a row and have a negative pregnancy test, you should make an appointment with a health care provider.
