A woman takes an over-the-counter pregnancy test and it comes out positive, but when she gets more specific tests done, she finds out that she isn’t actually pregnant. Have you ever heard of cases like this? This can be a source of frustration for many, especially those who have been trying for a long time, but why does this type of error happen? What causes the pregnancy test to always come out positive? The answer is usually that the woman has beta HCG without pregnancy. It’s a phenomenon that isn’t very well known, but happens to many women for various reasons. Today, we’re going to talk about how this happens and what dangers are involved in this mistaken production of hormones. But first, we need to better explain what HCG is and what its functions are in a woman’s body.
What is the HCG Hormone?
Human chorionic gonadotropin, the pregnancy hormone, Beta-HCG or simply HCG, is the main hormone produced by a woman’s body during pregnancy1. It is responsible for the main early pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and increased emotional sensitivity. This hormone is exclusive to pregnancy, so when the HCG level is high, a test will usually detect pregnancy. This is true in the vast majority of cases, but there are some specific situations in which HCG exists without pregnancy. Let’s look deeper into how this phenomenon happens and what changes are occurring in a woman’s body so that her hormone levels end up altered.
The False Positive Pregnancy Test
Pregnancy tests come out positive when they detect the presence of HCG in a woman’s urine or blood. What happens is that, in some cases, this hormone is being produced without the woman actually being pregnant, hence the name false positive2. This can be a big disappointment for a woman trying to conceive or a great surprise or concern for women who weren’t expecting it. It’s necessary to see a doctor to find out the cause of these hormonal changes and, if necessary, undergo some kind of treatment. 
What Causes HCG Levels to Change in a Woman?
There are basically three main causes that can alter the HCG levels in a woman:
- Certain diseases;
- Certain medications;
- Menopause
Let’s talk about how each of them can affect hormone levels and whether or not this is dangerous.
Diseases
There are some diseases that cause HCG levels in a woman’s body to rise even when she is not pregnant3. These are diseases such as tumors that produce hormones, which can even occur in men in certain cases. Some of the most common diseases are gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and hydatidiform mole.
Medications
Women who undergo fertility treatments may end up showing HCG levels even if they aren’t pregnant. This is because these medications stimulate hormone production to make a woman more fertile, which often leads to this false positive. For this reason, a woman should never rely solely on a test to find out whether she is really pregnant. The beta HCG blood test, in addition to an ultrasound, should be done for confirmation.
Menopause
Menopause is a true transformation in a woman’s body, which means that sometimes her hormone levels end up changing. And one of these changes can end up showing HCG even though the woman is not pregnant and is completely healthy. It’s not unusual, and it doesn’t indicate any health issues. Therefore, there’s no need for concern.
Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative HCG
There are two ways to measure the HCG hormone: qualitative and quantitative. The first tells whether or not there is any hormone present in the blood sample, while the second shows the amount of the hormone present. The result of the qualitative test is faster and can indicate pregnancy; however, since there are cases of HCG without pregnancy, it is necessary to do the quantitative test to know exactly how much hormone is in the sample. Usually, when there is HCG without pregnancy, the hormone levels are lower than normal, indicating that the presence of this hormone has other causes. The quantitative test is important to clear up any doubts for a woman who thinks she is pregnant but is not. In addition, the result of this test will be the starting point for future procedures, such as treating the condition that is causing it. As you can see, there are certain situations in which HCG without pregnancy occurs. And even though it’s not always a cause for concern, it’s important to talk to your doctor to make sure no action really needs to be taken. When a woman wants to have a child, one of the main things she should do is to take care of her health, meaning she should not let any external problem get in the way of a future pregnancy. That’s how you ensure a smooth pregnancy and a healthy baby in the future. It may seem like a lot of trouble and even unnecessary for many women, but it is the most important thing to ensure a safe pregnancy. See Also: Pharmacy Pregnancy Test: Now Is It Positive or Not?
