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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think the test must be wrong

404 replies

chillidoritto · 16/02/2026 16:37

I am in a state of hysteria here. I am in the peri and on HRT. We haven’t been particularly careful because I didn’t think I needed to be.

Have been feeling tired, off colour and have had ridiculously sore boobs. Have just had a positive test.

Can the HRT hormones somehow affect the outcome of the test?! This is the hope I am clinging on to.

Anyone?

OP posts:
TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 18/02/2026 09:29

SoSoLong · 18/02/2026 09:19

What advice?

Show quote history

The advice about hormonal changes in perimenopause causing false positives.

SoSoLong · 18/02/2026 09:19

quince2figs · 18/02/2026 06:18

Again, the advice in this post is incorrect.

Show quote history

What advice?

quince2figs · 18/02/2026 06:25

chillidoritto · 17/02/2026 14:06

I feel truly hideous, physically and mentally. But I’m certain I’m doing the right thing. I have DD who is a teenager but still wonderful, followed by 4 boys, so I have a huge amount on my plate already.

DD has figured that I’m not myself. She knew I was going to the doctors and said “hey you’re not pregnant are you mum”. I just told her no and that it was “my age” ie the peri. She replied “just as well cos you’d probably have triplet boys this time!”

When all this is done I am going to have serious words with DH about having the snip!

@chillidoritto, very glad to hear you were able to access appropriate care quickly, and that staff were kind.

Slightly worrying to hear even staff are giving advice that the duration of your fertility depends on how many children you’ve had though - this just isn’t true. However, no matter now. Medical and nursing staff are not immune from old wives tales.

I’m glad you are firm on your decision. The snip for DH sounds like an excellent idea!
Again, all the best to you.

quince2figs · 18/02/2026 06:18

SoSoLong · 17/02/2026 11:32

No idea about HRT and false positives, but I had a false positive aged 48 and in peri. Apparently it's not unusual for hormonal changes in perimenopause to cause false positives. But chances are, you are genuinely pregnant.

But you've got options, so chin up and go to a clinic. Good luck!

Again, the advice in this post is incorrect.

quince2figs · 18/02/2026 06:15

Muffsies · 17/02/2026 10:58

There's no HCG in HRT, but your body can produce it during peri.

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No, as per my pp, BhCG is produced from pregnancy tissue only

Supple · 18/02/2026 01:05

GarlicBound · 17/02/2026 21:20

English women have been heavily exposed to Irish anti-choice rhetoric for decades. Other countries have been as bad; some still are, but I haven't heard them constantly dripping guilt on English women as I have the Irish.

It's not xenophobia, it's culture clash. I make no apologies for despising 'moral' judgements on women who choose their own destinies.

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There is no culture clash.

If you’re saying some old trope like your view is

  • English women free for all kill the babies
  • Irish women are foetus martyrs

You are trotting out causal xenophobia. Seems like you’d add other races to the list but can’t think of any just now. Lovely.

BringBackCatsEyes · 18/02/2026 00:17

Gentle hugs for you OP.

TriciaA1991 · 17/02/2026 23:14

Just wanted to send you a hug and say hope all goes well. xx

Aislyn · 17/02/2026 23:13

HRT is not contraception. Contraception is still required to age 55 if having periods (and 2 years past the last period of aged under 50).

nunsflipflop · 17/02/2026 22:06

No one has any right to sit in judgement of anyone else’s choices. Ignore anyone that judges you OP, you make the right choice for you!

Sending a hand hold xx

GhettoSnoopystar · 17/02/2026 21:27

GarlicBound · 17/02/2026 21:20

English women have been heavily exposed to Irish anti-choice rhetoric for decades. Other countries have been as bad; some still are, but I haven't heard them constantly dripping guilt on English women as I have the Irish.

It's not xenophobia, it's culture clash. I make no apologies for despising 'moral' judgements on women who choose their own destinies.

Show quote history

I’ve rather found it the other way round, which is Irish women fighting for the choice and British women supporting them in that.

Justontherightsideofnormal · 17/02/2026 21:20

Ignore the negative ones. You know your body, life and family.
if I was in this situation I would absolutely have a termination. 45 dm of 2 and a grandmother!

GarlicBound · 17/02/2026 21:20

Supple · 17/02/2026 07:21

Why so xenophobic? What has Ireland got to do with this woman and her late and unexpected positive pregnancy test.

So much projection.

Show quote history

English women have been heavily exposed to Irish anti-choice rhetoric for decades. Other countries have been as bad; some still are, but I haven't heard them constantly dripping guilt on English women as I have the Irish.

It's not xenophobia, it's culture clash. I make no apologies for despising 'moral' judgements on women who choose their own destinies.

Bluenose1966 · 17/02/2026 21:19

I would be doing exactly the same in your situation OP💕. Thinking of you as such a shock and ordeal to go through.

DurinsBane · 17/02/2026 21:08

Pistachiocake · 17/02/2026 14:11

While it is true that younger women are more likely to get pregnant (my gynae told me 25 is the best age, and I was older than that!), there are many women in their 50s who do. It bothers me that we call women up to 46 "childbearing age", because from reading certain parts of the media, you'd think no woman in her 5s ever gives birth. Obviously some choose not to, but that doesn't mean they can't.
It could be a false positive, but either way, see your doctor.

It isn’t many women in their 50s who give birth. A very small amount can and do, but even most of them probably had medical help to get pregnant. So yes while it is possible, it isn’t many

LunaStars · 17/02/2026 21:04

Muffsies · 17/02/2026 20:28

Every day i am more grateful for our wonderful, free NHS. Yes we all moan when it's goes wonky, but thank fuck it's always there when the shit really hits the fan.

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This. We are lucky to have any free healthcare.

Alltheusefulitems · 17/02/2026 20:47

Sending lots of love and a big hug to you @chillidoritto

I was in exactly the same situation as you last year at the age of 48. A termination was the right decision for my family too.

rainbowsandraspberrygin · 17/02/2026 20:44

Sending hugs OP!! It sounds like the right decision for you and your family. I expect you’ll have lots of emotions but I’m so glad that none of the professionals were judgemental. As it should be!!

im younger than you but would be the same - no way do I want more. Physically, mentally or financially.

NinaGeiger · 17/02/2026 20:38

Hope you're doing ok.
It says a lot about you that all your updates are like thinking of advice for any of us that find ourselves in the same position - you're thinking of others despite going through something difficult yourself.
Take care and don't give yourself a hard time. X

Supporting2026 · 17/02/2026 20:32

I would 100% do the same thing in your case - I know its not ideal, especially as you clearly have loved having children - but the medical risks alone are a good reason not to take the risk and your five living children take priority. I'm sorry anyway that you have to go through this and thinking of you.

Muffsies · 17/02/2026 20:28

OneNewEagle · 17/02/2026 20:17

You will be ok OP, the medical professionals are always superb in these situations. So very supportive and non judgemental.

Every day i am more grateful for our wonderful, free NHS. Yes we all moan when it's goes wonky, but thank fuck it's always there when the shit really hits the fan.

RobertaFirmino · 17/02/2026 20:22

I wish you all the best OP Flowers

Carpedimum · 17/02/2026 20:21

Please don’t beat yourself up about this @chillidoritto You’ll have an unpleasant few hours and then you can dust yourself off and re-focus on your children and nurturing the bit of life for yourself that you mentioned is possible now. DH sounds supportive so ask him to help you to not dwell on this afterwards. It’s your body, your decision and there is no reason this is not the right choice for you and yours.

IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 17/02/2026 20:18

Pistachiocake · 17/02/2026 14:11

While it is true that younger women are more likely to get pregnant (my gynae told me 25 is the best age, and I was older than that!), there are many women in their 50s who do. It bothers me that we call women up to 46 "childbearing age", because from reading certain parts of the media, you'd think no woman in her 5s ever gives birth. Obviously some choose not to, but that doesn't mean they can't.
It could be a false positive, but either way, see your doctor.

Fucking read the thread 🙄

OneNewEagle · 17/02/2026 20:17

You will be ok OP, the medical professionals are always superb in these situations. So very supportive and non judgemental.

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