false positive pregnancy test?

So, my last two periods (Feb. and March) were really kind of weird, just a little light spotting for a day.  I didn't really think I was pregnant, but I wanted to be sure because I was going out of town with girlfriends and didn't want to have that on my mind.  I took a home pregnancy test and it was positive (really, really positive-no blurry or faded lines!)!  I couldn't believe it, so I took another one, and it was negative.  We were so confused, so I went and had a blood test done and that came back negative.  But now I'm getting nervous again, because it's been about 50 days since I have had any spotting or anything!  I should trust the blood test right? Right?

To see your gyn for a complete checkup.  There are so many things that can cause this kind of problem that you'll need the doctor to help you figure out why and to determine if you are actually pregnant or not as soon as possible.

I'm not a physician, but I think those blood tests are very accurate. Could there be something else causing your irregular menstration? It may be a good idea to see a doctor to address that issue.

I go to the doctor annually for my girly check up (although I am due to go in May) and everything is always fine.  Everything in my life has been really constant.  I can't come up with an explanation for the irregularities. 

http://www.babyhopes.com/articles/falsepositi ve.html

Also, do you have any other pregnancy symptoms? Nausea, tender breasts?

My sister had a false negative test, but lots of symptoms and missed periods like yours. Turns out she had an ectopic pregnancy. So if you do have symptoms, I'd get into see a doctor.

Thanks, jen!  That was great.  But to answer your question...no.  I really feel great.  It's funny.  When I had the positive test, I was really freaked out and totally scared and was praying that it was wrong.  But when the blood test was negative, I was really disappointed!  Crazy.  My emotions were all over the place during that week.  I was totally convinced I wasn't pregnant after the negative blood test (and really still don't believe I am), but not having a period for so long is really throwing me for a loop.  If I were pregnant, I think it would show by now (I'm slender, 5'10", 135). I guess I'll suck it up and go to the doctor.  Having a baby wasn't in the plan at this time, but if I am pregnant, it will be great.  I don't know why it's so nerve wracking-it's not like I'm 16, or something.  He's 36, I'm 25, we've been together forever, and both have good jobs.  There are definitely worse situations I could think of! ;)  But, it's still something I would like to plan for.

If I were you I would get tested again.  My mother is a family planning nurse (think birth control & pregnancy tests) and she told me that the urine tests look for a hormone that only exists when a woman is pregnant.  The amount of the hormone dramatically increases every day.  You can get a false negative if it is too early for there to be enough of the hormone for the test to recognize, but you can't get a false positive unless the test somehow gets contamined with the urine of another pregnant woman.

Ditto to what Kory said- my sister's in nursing school studying to be an OB nurse (plus she has a baby herself!) and she said that while the at-home tests are pretty reliable, it is all based on levels of a hormone which can mess them up. I'd check with a doctor or family planning clinic.

It could be chemical. My husband and I were trying to get pregnant and the same thing happened. Sometimes your body tricks itself. They literally call it a chemical pregnancy. Check with your doctor. It is your bet. They may tell you your not because of spotting in the last two months, ask for a blood test.

Kory and Kairo, you're making me nervous!  I'll take another home test tonight and let you guys know.  I can't decide if I want it to be + or -!

If you had a blood test done that is really accurate, but if you werent that late then it could be you didnt have enough hcG pregnancy hormone for it to be positive. I've heard that there is "no such thing as a false positive", so I would be re-blood tested in a week just to make sure. Id say hcG will build up very strongly by then and give you an accurate answer. And as far as you saying you'd probably be showing already, that wouldnt be until you were probably about 4 months along or even more, unless you are one of those that show early then dont get that big of a pregnancy belly into your later trimesters. Anyhow, I hope you get the answer you were hoping for and have better luck re-testing! :)

Also, if you dont trust the tests (even a blood test being taken again) then go see your gynecologist explain yourself and ask for a pelvic exam. I believe you could even go to Planned Parenthood for this and not have a huge charge, if you are like me with no insurance. I was kind of going through this before (was pregnant, almost 2mos.), and through a pelvic exam they could tell by the softness and color of my uterus. I know it sounds horrific, but it will be more of a certainty and put your mind at rest. If you arent pregnant then it would substain the same color and touch of an "un-pregnant" female. :)

NOT PREGNANT!

Okay, thank you for the update. Are you feeling okay? :)

I feel great.  My boyfriend thinks my periods are crazy because I exercise so much.  I disagree.  I have never had my body fat tested, but I'm sure it's not super low.  Isn't that what makes you lose your period?  As for the positive test?  It's a mystery...

It could have been an evaporation line that made the test appear false positive. An evaporation line is when the test is read after the appropriate time has expired. It can give a misleading test result. If you read the pregnancy test on time, this wouldnt be so.

I, personally, think weight has a lot to do with your period. And yes, but not sure if this is true or not, I heard or read somewhere that if you dont have enough fat or your body isnt healthy enough that you can lose or "confuse" your periods. I think it makes sense because when I was unhealthy and tremendously too thin (4 years ago), I had off the chart irregular and unexpected periods, resulting later in a loss of my periods altogether. I think you would be at ease with a checkup.

All i have to say is i didnt have a period for 3 months.  Not preg, but just stressed. 

Are you stressed out? that can play a BIG role.

I haven't read all the posts yet, so sorry if I'm repeating anything.

I'm very irregular and found that when I get nervous about it, they just take longer to arrive.  As mentionned above, stress can delay your periods.

Hi AndiEvan,

I'm so glad i found your post.  I am going through a very similar situation as yours right now and I'm really freaking out. Im also 25 married with 1 child. My cycle has become very irregular since I had my son almost 2 years ago. Before I was like instant clockwork every 28 days.

Since giving birth my periods have been coming later and later and longer in duration, worse cramps too. This month my cycle is really late. first day of my last period was May 29th. Which if my cycle was 28 days would make me 10 days late. But being that my cycle is very hard to track I range from 28-33 days and then some. I have been a little stressed. But up until expecting my period thought it i wasnt overly stressed than previous months. So i dont know whats going on. Finally took a pregnancy test this morning and this is what is said, ( i dont know what to believe).... test i took needed 2 lines to be positive. One line very dark, second line very lite. The box said can very in darkness = means positive.

I've been getting period symptoms though, menstrating feelings, yet nothing, cramping, lower back pain, and all day ive been have sharp pain in my right ovary area. I keep reading that there are less false positives, but I dont think Im pregnant. Dont even remember having sex during or even close to ovulation time this month. I hope to take another test 2mar morning and then go for blood work 2mar.

I'm glad i read your posts, maybe Im not pregnant. I love kids and want more, but right now is a really bad time as our lives are so unstable.... thanks for listening.