Although melatonin won't affect the accuracy of a pregnancy test, this hormone can affect the outcome by interfering with fertility. Before you decide to try this supplement, speak with a doctor. Even though your body produces melatonin naturally, taking melatonin in supplement form isn't safe for everyone.
About Melatonin
The hormone melatonin is produced naturally in your body by your brain's pineal gland and also is produced synthetically in supplement form. This hormone plays a part in the regulation of your body's "internal clock" and helps establish your body's daily sleeping and waking rhythms. Melatonin supplements are commonly used to treat such sleep problems as insomnia and jet lag, although melatonin is also used to treat such other conditions as headaches and anxiety.
About Pregnancy Tests
When you become pregnant, your body begins producing large amounts of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG. Traditional home pregnancy tests check for the presence of this hormone through a urine sample. If the hormone is detected, you'll get a positive result. Sometimes, however, you may get a false negative result if you test too soon, before you have adequate amounts of HCG in your body. Because of this, you should wait a week after your missed period before taking a pregnancy test. False positive test results are more rare, although they may occur due to menopause, ectopic pregnancy or ovarian cysts. Taking fertility drugs may also cause false positive pregnancy test results.
Melatonin and Pregnancy
Although no scientific studies exist that show a clear relationship between melatonin and the accuracy of pregnancy tests, women who are trying to get pregnant and women who are already pregnant should avoid the use of melatonin. Because of melatonin's hormonal effects, this supplement may interfere with ovulation and make conceiving a child more difficult. Further, taking melatonin supplements while pregnant can cause an increase in the risk of developmental disorders in fetuses.
Considerations
The Mayo Clinic notes that melatonin supplementation has also been shown to cause both decreased sperm count and decreased sperm motility in men, which may also make it harder to conceive a child. These effects are not permanent, however, and sperm count and motility generally returns to normal after stopping supplementation.
Suggestions
Always talk to your health care provider about the safety of the supplements you're taking and don't take a supplement or medication unless you know it's right for you. Because other conditions may cause inaccurate pregnancy test results, see a doctor to get a more accurate diagnosis. If you're taking melatonin and are attempting to get pregnant, stop taking melatonin immediately and talk to your doctor about safer ways to achieve the benefits of melatonin supplementation while trying to start a family.
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