Out of date pregnancy test and potential false negative?

[Enwi]

Hello everyone!

So I know that of course no one can tell me if I’m pregnant or not, but I’m wondering if anyone has had an experience of using an out of date pregnancy test and it giving you a false result?

For background, I have a very regular cycle. I was due on my period on Thursday, so I’m now 4 days late. Very unusual for me. Lots of pregnancy symptoms, I’ve been pregnant 3 times before so definitely know the signs.

I’ve been testing every day since my missed period and they are all negative. Thought it was really odd. Have just happened to notice in a photo I was looking at of one of the tests that the packaging is in the background and the tests are 2 years out of date!! It is a cheapy multipack so they are all from the same pack. We recently moved house, so they must have gotten mixed up with my in-date ones in the move

What do you think the chances are that they’re all giving false negatives? I would have assumed they just wouldn’t give a result at all to be honest if they are so out of date, but they definitely had a control line.

I’m at work and can’t leave... the anticipation is killing me! What do you think?!

If you're getting a control line; it suggests the tests are working fine. Even women with the most regular cycles will have odd length ones occasionally. Early pregnancy symptoms are the same symptoms as those brought on by period hormones so it's most likely your cycle is just a little off this month.

Thank you for your input, yes I am thinking similar that if I saw the control line they’ve more than likely worked. It isn’t ideal timing so although it would be a lovely surprise, I am more than happy for it to be negative.

I’ve had a fair few periods in my lifetime so definitely recognise the difference to how I feel when one is due vs when I’m pregnant. If I’m not period, I would guess probably an early chemical. I’ve never been more than a day late. Funny things our bodies!

If I’m not pregnant* that should read.

Good luck x

I used an out of date one to confirm my current pregnancy, and it worked fine.

To be honest I spent a long time TTC and had several early miscarriages - I thought I could tell if I was pregnant, but actually the symptoms of early pregnancy progesterone and period-approaching progesterone are so similar that it's impossible to tell.

As you get older your periods can get less regular, it's also possible just to have a one off late ovulation which causes a late period, not related to any longer term pattern.

Sorry I know it's not especially helpful but I'd buy a couple of new tests and do them 48 hours apart.

Thanks for replying. You’re probably both right. I will buy a test this evening to double check anyway, but then will accept period is on its way!

I’m in my 20s so hopefully not a sign of getting older

Hello, just wanted to update this to say.. I’m pregnant! Got a BFP the evening of this post, but it was quite faint so I wasn’t entirely sure. Stronger yesterday morning and stronger again today. I took another one of my out of date ones and it is still showing as negative... of course they could just be less sensitive rather than purely because they’re out of date.

Thanks so much for your responses ladies x

That's great news, congratulations!