Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: MollyBee on September 04, 2017, 07:27:57 PM
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Hi Ladies,
I'm wondering if anyone has ever had a false positive pregnancy test due to the perimenopause? I'm 48 and my husband had a vasectomy 9 years ago. I recently booked a doctors appointment to discuss possibly going on hrt as I've been having real down days (which is not like me), my face is covered in acne rosacea (I've always been lucky to have quite good skin until 12 months ago) I'm really hot a lot of the time and my hair is thinning considerably... it was all having quite an effect on my life. Anyway, I haven't had a period since July & I just thought that it was due to the onset of menopause, my friend suggested taking a pregnancy test before I go to the doctors as she thought this would probably be the 1st thing they would ask. To my absolute shock and horror I did 2 and they were both positive!
I know that vasectomy's can reverse in rare occasions - I have been 100% faithful so there's no question of anyone else but it just seems so unlikely as we don't have intercourse that often these days, my age apparently gives me just a 1% chance of getting pregnant and the vasectomy has seemingly been fine for 9 years. I'm absolutely petrified! My doctors appointment isn't until next week which was the earliest they could fit me in.
Could anyone tell me if it is common to get a false positive reading please? I've googled it and it is possible but I can't find much information on whether it's in rare cases or if its quite common. I'm driving myself insane with worry.
Thanks in advance.
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On bless you ! :hug:
I really can't help in that department I'm afraid sorry. I just didn't want to read and not make contact. I'm sure that other's with more knowledge and advice we pop by soon.
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Thank you dazned, I appreciate that :)
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Im sure its a false test due to your fluctuating hormones, it is highly unlikely that the tubes could have regrown, just relax and take a few deep breathes big hugs.
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Oh Cassie, I really hope so. Thank you so much for your support.
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Hi MollyBee - I'm afraid I don't know how common it is to get a false positive result but I do have a neighbour who fell pregnant after her husband's vasectomy failed - although this was only five years after having it done. He wasn't convinced until he had a sperm sample tested which she found rather upsetting.
Have you got any of the usual pregnancy signs and are you on any medications which may affect the result? Just a thought - it is possible to have a false positive pregnancy test if you have any disorder of the pituitary gland - this will also stop your periods I believe. It's a shame you can't be seen before next week to set your mind at rest.
Taz x :welcomemm:
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Maybe ring the Surgery and ask to speak with the Practice Nurse, or go to a Family Planning Clinic or Pharmacist? The latter have private rooms these days. Sterilisation is not 100% ...........
Also think about when you last had intercourse and if you've had a period since?
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Thank you for your replies Ladies,
Taz2... I'm worried about my husband's reaction too which is why I want to get it confirmed by a doctor before telling him. I feel deceptive not telling him yet but I feel I just can't handle accusations & doubts at the moment especially if it turns out to be false as I'm struggling to get my head around it anyway :( I do have symptoms but they could also be menopausal... tender boobs, tiredness.
CLKD... I will call the surgery tomorrow and try to speak to the nurse, thank you. I did think about the pharmacist but wondered if they could actually tell me any different than the home test, I'm guessing I'll need a blood test or scan to confirm either way. With regards to my last period, I was almost sure that we hadn't had intercourse since until a few days ago but I can't be 100% sure (not helpful, I know, my memory is terrible these days too :( )
Thank you both for your advice.
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Oh meno-brain - I'm so tired this evening mine's like putty :sigh:
ESR was the blood test to determine pregnancy which is often done as a routine blood work - do let us know how you get on!
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I didn't want to read and scroll on, so just offering a virtual hug and hoping you get an appointment asap x
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I've found this which relates to the pituitary gland. Apparently menopause can cause the HCG which is the hormone measured in the pregnancy test to rise. Many years ago a friend thought she was pregnant but she had a benign growth on her pituitary gland. Her consultant did say that they would have discovered this far more quickly if she had been older and closer to menopause as the likelihood of pregnancy would have been reduced and more blood tests would have been taken.
Pituitary Disorder
Disorders of the pituitary gland can cause a false positive pregnancy test. Menopause can also affect the pituitary, leading to HCG production and false positive pregnancy tests. On rare occasions, the pituitary can create HCG even when no disorder is present.
I'm on the edge of my seat here waiting for your appointment!!
Taz x :bighug:
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I hope the result is what you want ! will you let us know when you have recovered?
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Hi Ladies,
Thank you all for your support. Latest update is that I have an appointment for a scan tomorrow morning! Please keep everything crossed for me that this is a false alarm. Thank you Taz for the pituitary information, I hold on to the hope that this is what it is.
Thank you Vieja for the virtual hug :)
Thank you CLKD, yes, I'll let you know the outcome.
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:-\ ........... what does the GP think? What advice have you been given about choices? Would it be SO bad: my cousin is a menopause baby, aunty was 45. ::). His elder sister was 21. I think that there was a party :drunk: involved :-X
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That's quick for the scan! Did the GP carry out another pregnancy test and an internal? Fingers crossed for you.
Taz x
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Have plenty of magazines or a good book tonight in case you can't sleep!
:bighug:
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Hi Mollybee, I didn't want to scroll on without sending you a big hug and fingers crossed for tomorrow. Good luck
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I also went through a time where I thought I might be pregnant because of no periods and a husband who have had a vasectomy....it was the most scary experience at 49 years of age!
Thinking of you MollyBee! And a BIG hug.x
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Did you have positive pregnancy tests matildamouse? I can remember being worried too over pregnancy scares but all my tests were negative.
Let us know how the scan goes MollyBee. Big :hug: from me too.
Taz x
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No I did not as I was too scared to do the tests....😬 as silly as that might sound. In hindsigt I realise now that it was a combo of menopause and stress which made them go away. But my anxiety levels went through the roof with just the thought of a possible pregnancy..so I feel for MollyBee.
Please keep us updated MB. Fingers crossed for you.x
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It doesn't sound silly at all Matilda! I know of two mums locally who had their last surprise babies at 48 and 49 respectively. They both have grandchildren older than their youngest children! I had to use emergency contraception at the age of 52 which seemed a bit extreme.
Hope you are ok MollyBee
Taz xx
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Was wondering how you got on with your scan, holding thumbs..
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I was reading this post and thinking of you. I can understand your anxiety but am betting that all is okay! Do let us know how it went Mollybee. :)
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Hi Ladies,
Thank you all so much for your concern.
I went for the scan at the pregnancy advisory centre, an external scan picked nothing up so the doctor performed a vaginal scan, she took ages and I had to manoeuvre a couple of times and at first she struggled to find anything but then found what she thought 'may' be a yolk sac but she thought it looked like there was bleeding into it. She could not find a heartbeat. I have now been referred to the early pregnancy unit at our local hospital (next Thursday) The doctor suspects that I may have had a missed miscarriage (where the foetus' heartbeat has stopped but my body still thinks it's pregnant & so continues to release the pregnancy hormones.) It's all very unclear at the moment and I still struggle to accept that I may be (or may have been) pregnant. It just seems so unlikely :-\ and I don't 'feel' pregnant.
Matildamouse... did you tell your husband at the time when you had your scare? I still haven't told mine but I'm starting to wish that I had, I hate keeping things from him but I just know that he'll question whether I've been faithful (which I totally have!) and I couldn't stand the thought of being accused along with the worry of being pregnant at 48 :'(.
Taz... Since you mentioned your friend I have been researching pituitary disorders and I do have a lot of the symptoms including a phantom smoke smell that very frequently plagues me, I had an mri about three years ago relating to this and it picked up nothing at the time. I guess I'm just going to have to wait and see what Thursday brings and then go from there.
I confided in my friend last night as I couldn't keep it to myself any longer, she's being very supportive and is taking me for the scan on Thursday.
I'll let you all know how it goes. Thank you so much again for all your concern and support, this forum and you ladies are amazing!
MB xx
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MollyBee, I can only imagine how your feeling :'( :. But would you not consider telling your husband, it's a lot for you to be going through on your own. I mean if he finds out at a later stage how will he react then? The fact that you keep I from him may make him more suspicious and you never know he might surprise you and be supportive. It's worth thinking about and wouldn't it be so much better to face whatever the outcome together. Either way it's your decision. Sending you hugs x
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Thanks for updating us MollyBee. I agree with Yammy that it would be better to share this with your husband. He surely needs to know that his vasectomy may have failed as he may need tests and a scan himself to see what is happening in his body. You need to go through this together.
It's interesting that you did have the pituitary symptoms before but nothing was picked up on MRI. Did the scan doctor know this?
Taz x :hug:
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I agree with you ladies, I wish I'd told him from the start now, I think I was in my own little panic whirlwind and thought I could deal with it alone.
Taz.. no, I never mentioned the mri at the scan, I didn't consider it to be relevant at the time as it was a few years ago and it came back clear - although I do still suffer the smoke smell very frequently to the point where it makes my eyes water they never investigated further and I never chased it up but with hindsight I probably should have. I will mention it on Thursday when I go for the next scan.
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It's a good idea to mention it I think just so they can rule it out.
Taz x
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Hi Mollybee. I agree with the other girls. Do tell your husband but maybe be informed before you do as to why he might actually be the problem so that he will be more supportive. Vasectomies are not always full proof. Good luck with everything
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Hi Mollybee. Just wondering how you are getting on :bighug:
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Me too - wondered in the night when I was unable to sleep.