Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. One concern that sometimes arises is whether this condition can lead to inaccurate results on home pregnancy tests. These tests detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by the placenta after implantation of a fertilized egg. A false positive would indicate a positive result despite the absence of pregnancy.
The potential for hormone imbalances in PCOS is well-documented. The elevated levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and androgens are characteristic of the syndrome. However, it is important to understand that standard home pregnancy tests specifically target hCG. Although some conditions and medications can cause elevated hCG levels even without pregnancy, PCOS itself does not directly cause the production of hCG. This distinguishes it from situations like certain tumors or ectopic pregnancies, which can interfere with test accuracy.
