Well…. Guess What – Pregnancy or Perimenopause?

Here we are, 8 months after my last post on this subject. I’ve pretty much stuck to my plan of low effort and just making healthy changes in my lifestyle that needed to happen anyway.

I’ve been in the midst of planning a wedding and honeymoon. I was a bit concerned over the close proximity of my period to these two events, so I’ve been watching it pretty closely.

I’d had PMS-like symptoms so I figured it was just late – the same ones that I always have. I’m usually pretty regular, but you know stress and it’s affect on the body, yada, yada, yada.

When I was 5 days late I decided to take a pregnancy test.

 

It was positive – very clearly, darkly positive. It turned almost instantly.

The test was also expired. Fine. There are two more in the box. Might as well take those. I called my fiance up to make sure I wasn’t seeing things.

Hmmm.

Ok well let’s go get a fresh test shall we?

Yes, at this point it’s looking pretty positive. I have a dark, dark line on every single one, the one that goes in the same direction as the line in the control window box.

Ok, well maybe a different brand of test. That too, was positive.

 

 

 

So, I’m thinking to myself that maybe it’s the cup I’m using to pee in. Maybe the whole batch of red solo cups has somehow been contaminated with hCG. So, I rinsed one of them really well and left it to dry.

Then, I started reading an onslaught of articles on the web about “false positive” tests and their causes.

  1. I know I am not taking the test wrong.
  2. I know I wasn’t taking fertility drugs or consuming anything else that would affect the test like that.

This leaves only a few options that could cause a false positive.

These are:

  • perimenopause
  • a cyst
  • a chemical pregnancy (also unlikely since the periods were normal up to this point and no sign of any bleeding or spotting).
  • and cancer

The percentage chance that it could be one of these is low, but you know, “the age thing” has me paranoid.

 

 

Now remember, the more sensitive the test, the more room we have for error. Therefore, I was actually looking for tests that were less sensitive.

Research on the newest test I had taken surprisingly addressed the perimenopause issue right on their website (Clear Blue Easy). They claimed that they tested several women who were menopause or perimenopause and that the test only gave false positives on 0.0 – 0.3% of women tested and all of those were over the age of 50.

Well, that was looking more positive.

The First Response had different results, with up to a 4% discrepency with false positives in menopausal or perimenopausal women, stating that women in this stage of life see a natural rise in hCG, which the test could pick up. First Response is a VERY sensitive test and therefore prone to inaccuracy, even in younger women.

I take the test in the cup that I know is clean.

Still positive.

So, three different tests of varying price ranges, 7 tests total all with nice, bright lines.

We haven’t been using birth control, but haven’t actually been “trying” either. So, at this point, I feel like a unicorn. I’m not sure if this is real or not.

Update 5/2018: Yes, I was pregnant. I gave birth to a preemie who is healthy and well. He is featured in several following articles. 

If you want to learn more about perimenopause, click here for our article on “Is This Perimenopause?”

 

11 Comments

  1. This is my exact situation right now and Iam so confused!!!!
    Just turned 43 a couple days ago, haven’t used birth control in years because, well, I’m old so didn’t think it was an issue! 4 positive tests!!! Is this for real???

    1. It is definitely a confusing situation! I think in most cases, it’s legit pregnancy when this happens. It was so hard to find out anything about it for me, that I wanted to share what happened for me. Gradually I am finding other “older moms” my own age, so I think it’s getting more common. Please let me know how it goes!

  2. Well, me too! Was glad to find this article. 47, no symptoms of perimenopause, everything as normal as always, very regular. Only a few days late but positive pg tests. Sometimes perimenopause and menopause can cause false positives so thought maybe it’s false? Guess I’ll find out in a few months!

    1. It’s quite a shocker, but has been a wonderful blessing! I’m hoping for the best for you! Let me know what you find out. I found a couple of great support groups for “older moms with young children” and it’s really been a blessing to be able to talk to people who understand :). All of my long time friends quit having babies long ago so until then I was pretty much on my own on this! Welcome aboard 🙂

      1. Yes, it’s been confirmed. Baby on the way! A new adventure has begun. And you’re right, children are always a blessing:)

          1. 46 & just received a positive pregnancy test. I can already for into maternity full panel jeans!! According to the date of my last period, I am a little over five weeks. My older kids are in denial and told me they think my levels of hCG are higher because I could be Perry menopausal. But I have no signs of that either I really do believe I am pregnant, I just feel it. I have an OB appointment coming up & an ultrasound on June 14 please pray all goes well & that there is a little peanut!

          2. I definitely will pray for you <3. From what I've read, it would be really unusual for peri to make a false positive on a pregnancy test. Early congratulations 🙂

  3. HI thank you for sharing your story. I am 37 years old I was “diagnosed” with Peri at around 21. Didn’t have a period for over 10 years until was on HRT. I was a chronic marijuana smoke as well. Last year I quit smoking it was something I prayed about for for many years. I’m going on almost a year of not smoking, the doctors say it’s not related but I read many articles that say otherwise. Three months later after I quit I got my period back I started HRT again and began tracking my cycle on an app. My periods were so regular the past 6 months they day the app said my period was due was the day I would get my period until last week. I am 5 days late and I tested twice both times were faint positive. I am planning on getting a digital and few other brands in 3 days to test again. I have been with my partner for 22 years since we were 14 and 16. We love each other very much and he has been very supportive. I’ts been about 15 years of internal suffering for me and I’m afraid to get excited. I love to read these amazing stories they warm my heart. Thank you again for sharing and pray for me 🙂 God has a plan for me I know it. I do love Jesus very much and I may his will be done.

    1. I will definitely be praying for you! Hoping and praying you’ll have wonderful news. Keep me posted! God bless 🙂

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