Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a medical condition that affects many women every year. Often, women wonder whether a UTI can cause a false positive pregnancy test. Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman’s life, especially when it happens for the first time. When taking a pregnancy test at home, women want accurate results. UTI tests are a necessary and often painful procedure that requires antibiotics to treat if left untreated. While pregnancy tests usually yield correct results, there is a small chance of error. As a result, doctors often perform additional tests, such as a blood test, to confirm pregnancy for women who receive a positive result at home.
What is UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)?
A urinary tract infection occurs when there is an infection in your urinary system, which includes your bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra. The severity and location of the infection can cause different symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Foul smell from urine
- Frequent urination
- Pain in the bladder
- Pain while urinating
Bacteria from feces are the main cause of UTIs, and while some infections may not present any symptoms, others may experience blood in their urine, the need to urinate frequently, a cloudy appearance in their urine, burning sensations, or unpleasant odors. In the UK, around 40% of women experience UTIs each year, making it the most common type of infection.
Can a UTI Cause a False Positive Pregnancy Test?
If you’re wondering whether a urinary tract infection can cause a false-negative pregnancy test, you may also be curious about whether it can have the opposite effect. It is unlikely that a urinary tract infection will cause a false positive result on a pregnancy test. However, there is a greater likelihood that it could cause a false negative result.
False positive results can occur due to a variety of factors, such as using an expired test, not following instructions correctly, waiting too long to read the results, taking fertility medications that can raise hormone levels, and so on. If you receive a positive result and think it may be inaccurate, contact your doctor. You can confirm your pregnancy by having your HCG levels checked. Early prenatal care is essential for both you and your baby, so don’t delay in finding out if you’re pregnant.
How can a UTI Cause a False Positive Pregnancy Test?
There are several UTI cause that makes a false positive pregnancy test. Some of them are listed below with details.
Increased Water Intake
Doctors recommend drinking plenty of water to flush out the bacteria causing discomfort from UTI symptoms. However, if you plan to take a pregnancy test at home, drinking excessive amounts of water can make your urine less clear and reduce the accuracy of the test.
To avoid false negative results due to diluted urine, it is advisable to avoid drinking more water than usual if you plan to take a pregnancy test at home. This advice may seem contradictory, but taking a pregnancy test first thing in the morning is the best time to do so, as your HCG concentration is highest in your urine at this time.
OTC Meds for UTI
Due to the dye present in over-the-counter medications that work to soothe the lining of the urinary tract, taking these medications to alleviate the discomfort of UTIs can make interpreting a pregnancy test difficult, as it can make the result window extremely hard to read. Most of the time, these drugs cause your urine to appear blue or orange-red. If you have had several UTIs, you are probably familiar with the distinctive stain it leaves in the toilet. The dye in your urine caused by these medications can alter the results of your at-home pregnancy test.
UTI Antibiotics
Antibiotics have not been proven to impact the precision of an at-home pregnancy test, hence if you have a UTI, antibiotics are likely to be prescribed to eliminate the infection. The UTI treatment is incredibly improbable to cause a false positive result on your home pregnancy test. If you are worried about the accuracy of the test, the ideal alternative is to undergo a blood test at your doctor’s office to confirm the at-home pregnancy test result.
How Can a UTI Affect a Pregnancy Test Result?
If you have a UTI and think you might be pregnant at the same time, you might be curious about whether or not a UTI can affect a negative pregnancy test. Although it is highly unlikely that a UTI would result in a false negative pregnancy test, there are instances in which a UTI could cloud the results, as stated by the Center for Reproductive Medicine.
If you have a severe infection that causes the urine to be diluted with other chemicals, it becomes difficult for a pregnancy test to detect HCG levels. Also, it can be hard to control your urine flow normally when you have a UTI. Therefore, there is a possibility that the sample could become diluted. And alter the results if too much urine is placed on the pregnancy test stick. Put your poop in a cup and dip the stick in it at the appropriate time if you are concerned that this will happen.
Women who have a UTI may try to flush the infection out by drinking a lot of water. Additionally, it may dilute the urine, resulting in a false-negative result. This is especially true when HCG levels are low and may be difficult to detect early in pregnancy.
These situations are extremely uncommon, according to the Center for Reproductive Medicine. If you suspect you are pregnant, tell your doctor and get the appropriate treatment for a UTI.
What Can a UTI Cause a False Positive Pregnancy Test?
Although it is highly unlikely, other factors may be responsible for a negative pregnancy test. These factors include using an expired test, not following the instructions, testing too soon, or experiencing an early miscarriage. If left untreated, a UTI can develop into a kidney infection with more severe symptoms. Additionally, a urinary tract infection or kidney disease can result in a false positive pregnancy test, but this is extremely rare. If you suspect that you are experiencing any of these conditions, you may want to retest or consult your doctor for advice.
What to do If you Suspect a False Negative Pregnancy Test?
If you receive a negative result on your pregnancy test and believe you may still be pregnant, it is best to wait a few days before taking another test. The likelihood of a positive test just two days after a negative test is extremely high, as HCG levels double rapidly.
If you cannot wait, you may want to try again later in the day with a more sensitive test. The label of a home pregnancy test usually contains information about its sensitivity, so read it carefully and make the appropriate choice.
Contact your doctor if your test comes back negative, you miss your period, or you cannot wait any longer.
A blood test in a doctor’s office can detect even the smallest levels of HCG, which can be helpful in determining whether your HCG levels are normal. This is an important component in measuring fertility.