When a man takes a pregnancy test—designed to detect the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)—it will almost always come back negative. That hormone is produced during pregnancy. But in rare cases, a man might get a positive result. That doesn’t mean he’s pregnant; it signals a serious medical issue.
One of the most common explanations is certain types of cancer. For example, testicular cancer can cause the body to produce hCG, which is then picked up by the test. So a positive pregnancy test in a male should be considered a red flag for doctors, who will investigate further.
To protect male reproductive health, doctors suggest several steps:
- If a man suspects something is wrong (e.g. positive test, pain, swelling), he should consult a doctor and get proper medical tests.
- Lifestyle changes: giving up smoking and alcohol helps, since these can negatively affect sperm health and increase risk of certain diseases.
- Maintain hygiene, especially of the genital area, to prevent infections which can otherwise worsen reproductive problems.
- Eating well, exercising regularly, managing weight, and reducing stress are all advised to support reproductive system health.
