Not sure what to think. Pregnant or could it be something else

[Jodi12345]

I am wondering if anything can cause a pregnancy test to come up negative even if you may be pregnant. I just turned 40. I have always had very regular heavy periods. I had no slowing down and all of my last periods have been normal. Then about 2 1/2 months ago they just stopped. I have been feeling bloated and peeing a lot. But I have taken 3 test so far and all are negative. I am just wondering if any medications could cause test to say negative when you could be pregnant. I can not get to the doctors until next week. So if you have any ideas or a list of medications or any reasons this could be happening I would appreciate it. As I mentioned I have been tired feeling bloated and peeing. All the symptom's. Just negative test results.

[olderMom38]

Hi..I am getting ready to turn 39. I just found out i was pregnant a week ago. (the day after i was due to start my period) I took a test a week before and it was negative. The only reason i took another one is because my breasts hurt so bad, for the last 3 weeks. How are yours feeling? Not to sound weird, but i think thats one of the biggest symptoms. I agree, that if you've missed two periods and it still says negative you are probably not pregnant. I started thinking that i was going thru early menopause because of the hot flashes i kept getting. So i was completely surprised when the test came out positive. I would ask your Dr about that as well, if your test comes out negative again. I know that's not what you want to think about right now..but it is a possibility. Good Luck!!

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
The most common reason for a negative pregnancy test is that the tester is not pregnant.
Probably the most common reason for a "false" negative test would be dilute urine.  In other words, the test kits recommend using the first morning urine because it is the most concentrated.  After the first morning void, we start drinking coffee, etc that dilutes our urine.
If you were my patient, I would repeat a urine test, and/or a blood test.  I would anticipate that they would be negative however since home tests are quite accurate nowadays.
PMS symptoms are often very similar to pregnancy symptoms.
Sorry to be disappointing.  Maybe I'm wrong too!
Good luck!
Dr B