Can Menopause Cause a False Positive Pregnancy Test?

Medically reviewed by Danielle Grimm, MPH, MSN, CNP, WHNP-BC, MSCP · Written by Lizzette Cruz · August 24, 2026

Not sure if it’s perimenopause? Check your symptoms and find out.

A positive pregnancy test can be surprising for many, especially for those who are in menopause or in the transition period leading up to it, called perimenopause. You may wonder whether you could actually be pregnant or it’s a false positive.

Although rare, false positives on pregnancy tests can happen during perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. This article discusses how pregnancy tests work, how menopause can affect their results, and what to do if you get a positive test result.

How Pregnancy Tests Work and Why Menopause Can Affect Results

Pregnancy tests work by detecting a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Your body makes HCG during pregnancy, and either a urine or a blood test can detect the hormone. At-home pregnancy tests can detect HCG in your urine within minutes.

🗳️ Have you ever gotten a false positive pregnancy test due to perimenopause or menopause?

Yes

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Although HCG is present during pregnancy, there are instances when HCG levels could be high outside of pregnancy. These instances include the presence of cancer and certain noncancerous growths.

Researchers have also found increased HCG levels in 0.2 percent to 10.6 percent of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women who aren’t pregnant and have no disease or tumors. These elevated levels may stem from HCG production by the pituitary gland rather than by the placenta, which produces HCG during pregnancy.

Other Causes of a False Positive Pregnancy Test

A false positive on a pregnancy test can occur for many different reasons. Recent pregnancy loss, certain medications, other health conditions, and testing errors can all potentially affect your test results.

Recent Pregnancy Loss

False positives can be a result of a recent pregnancy loss. If you have recently had a miscarriage or abortion, you may continue to test positive on pregnancy tests. The HCG hormone can stay at an increased level for up to six weeks.

It’s important to remember that you can still get pregnant if you’re in perimenopause. Talk to your healthcare provider about your options for preventing pregnancy if you don’t wish to conceive.

Medications

Taking the following types of medications can also affect pregnancy test results:

Medicines that contain HCG
Fertility medications
Diet medications

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions — such as cancer, kidney disease, cysts in your ovaries, and urinary tract infections — can also affect pregnancy test results.

Test Errors

You should always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when taking an at-home pregnancy test. If you don’t follow the proper steps, test results may not be correct. Make sure to follow these steps for accurate results:

Check the expiration date of the test kit. Don’t use it if it’s expired.
Use the required amount of urine and leave the stick in your urine stream for the required time. Don’t take it out too early or leave it too long.
Drink water as you normally would. Drinking too much water may dilute your urine.
Avoid checking the results too early or too late. Set a timer for the exact time.
Follow the directions with the test on how to interpret the results.

What To Do If You Get a Positive Test During Menopause

If you test positive for pregnancy during perimenopause or after you’ve reached menopause, it’s important to follow up with your healthcare provider.

If you still have periods (even if they’re irregular), your healthcare provider can order additional testing, such as a blood test or ultrasound, to confirm whether it’s a false positive. If you’ve reached menopause (12 months without a period), your doctor can determine whether you need further testing to rule out any potential health problems.

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