34 days late negative pregnancy test: Missed Period But Negative Pregnancy Test? (What To Do)

Missed Period But Negative Pregnancy Test? (What To Do)

Have you ever been certain you were pregnant only to be crushed by a negative test?

You’re not alone. We’ve been there too and understand the disappointment that follows. Somehow it’s a little easier to handle a negative test result when you were expecting it to be negative.

But is it still possible to be pregnant when your pregnancy test result is negative?

The pregnant body can be a mysterious thing, baffling even the most reliable tests. If you missed your period but still got a negative pregnancy test result, this is what you should know.

Table of Contents

• Negative Pregnancy Tests While Pregnant
• Negative Pregnancy Test After a Missed Period
• Causes of a False Negative Pregnancy Test
• When Should You Test Again?
• Is This a Bad Sign?
• Could My Medications Be the Culprit?
• What if I Can’t Retest?
• Tips To Get an Accurate Result
• When Should I See a Doctor?

Negative Pregnancy Tests While Pregnant

Many women can be misled by a negative pregnancy test when they are, in fact, pregnant. Pregnancy tests aren’t always as accurate as you’d think ⁽¹⁾.

Home pregnancy tests detect HCG, a hormone your body produces during pregnancy. For a positive test, the amount of HCG needs to be high enough for the test to recognize it. So if you haven’t produced enough, you’ll see a negative result.

Negative Pregnancy Test After a Missed Period

Since most pregnancy tests claim to detect early signs of pregnancy with even the slightest HCG amounts, it may seem impossible to test negative after missing your period. However, while these early detection tests work for most people, every woman is different, and the quantity of HCG in her body doubles every 2 to 3 days.

So, the short answer is yes, it’s possible to record a negative pregnancy test result after missing your period — even if you are pregnant!

If your pregnancy test is negative but you’ve missed your period, you may be testing too early, or your pregnancy has a unique condition. There are various reasons for a false negative pregnancy test, even after missing your period.

Causes of a False Negative Pregnancy Test

A negative result on a test after missing the first few days of your period does not necessarily indicate pregnancy, especially if you have irregular cycles. So unless you’re experiencing other pregnancy symptoms or instinctively feel that you may be pregnant, the test might just be right.

However, here are five of the most common reasons you may test negative even after a missed period.

1. Not enough hormones to detect

Sometimes a negative pregnancy test happens when you test before you’ve produced enough HCG to register a positive result. Some women build these hormone levels slower, and in such cases, it takes longer to test positive for pregnancy. Try a more sensitive pregnancy test that will test positive at a lower threshold.

At implantation, your HCG level may start at 1 mIU/ml. Implantation occurs between days 6 and 12. A normal pregnancy increase can take two days to get to 2 mIU/ml, another three days to get to 5mIU/ml, and on day 8, it may only be 10 mIU/ml. A normal pregnancy that implants on day 12 may only be 10 mIU/ml 8 days later. Even the most sensitive pregnancy test may only start to show a positive result more than a week after your period is due. This is rare, but it happens.

Editor’s Note:

Caitlin Goodwin, MSN, RN, CNM

2. Testing too soon

For a home pregnancy test to detect the life growing inside you, several days must have passed since ovulation. Technically, your pregnancy starts at ovulation, not when you conceive. You may ovulate later than usual due to overtraining in your fitness program, increased stress, breastfeeding another child, or several other reasons ⁽²⁾. If your ovulation occurs later in your cycle, your period may not even be considered late when you take a pregnancy test.

3. Faulty test

Every home pregnancy test should have one line that always appears. This “control” line assures you that the test is in good condition and can be trusted. Read the instructions to learn what each test line means. If the control line is absent, the test is a dud, and you’ll need to test again.

4. You’re not pregnant

There are a few reasons why your period may be late. You’d be surprised how minor changes can affect your cycle ⁽³⁾. Also, many symptoms associated with the onset of your period can mimic early pregnancy symptoms, such as breast tenderness, fatigue, and cramping, so this could be why you have such a strong suspicion of pregnancy.

5. Diluted urine

If you’ve seen the movie “Juno,” you’ll remember the scene where she downs a gallon of Sunny D before taking her test. This worked out great for the fictional teen, but it probably will lead to an inaccurate result for you.

Overconsumption of fluids before testing will dilute the test. So unless you have an abundance of HCG in your urine, you won’t be getting the concentrated amounts of HCG needed for an accurate result ⁽⁴⁾.

When Should You Test Again?

Two weeks after your missed period, there should be enough HCG to cause a positive result.

I understand that it can be so hard to wait, and maybe you can’t go that long. If that’s the case, just test again after a couple more days, especially if you suspect you may have tested too soon.

Is This a Bad Sign?

In some rare cases, a pregnancy test result that does not increase as expected might be due to an ectopic pregnancy ⁽⁵⁾.

An ectopic pregnancy is when the egg attaches anywhere outside the womb. This can be dangerous for many reasons and could affect the rise in hormone levels needed to test positive for pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies generally increase in HCG, but the numbers bounce around and do not increase in a typical fashion (doubling every two to three days).

Take Note

See a doctor to rule out an ectopic pregnancy if you continue to see negative test results and still do not get your period.

Could My Medications Be the Culprit?

Painkillers, antibiotics, or other forms of medication unrelated to fertility won’t affect your hormone levels or delay ovulation. Although fertility medications can produce false positives, they rarely produce false negative results.

However, birth control, blood pressure medications, or allergy relief meds could interfere in other ways ⁽⁶⁾. Some may change when you ovulate or create irregularities with your period, leading you to suspect pregnancy.

What if I Can’t Retest?

See your health care provider if you don’t want to wait another week before testing again or you’re 100% convinced you’re pregnant. They can test your blood to confirm your pregnancy.

A lab test is quicker and more reliable than an at-home test. It is especially advised if you’re experiencing many early pregnancy symptoms or if you usually have regular periods.

Tips To Get an Accurate Result

It’s so easy to rush through a pregnancy test either because you’re excited, nervous, or both. Slowing down and taking time to ensure you do it correctly can save you unnecessary heartbreak.

1. Read the instructions completely

Sure, you’ve done this before, and you totally get the gist of it. Pee on the stick, wait a minute, and voila! Magical answers!

But hang on. Some pregnancy tests may have a variation or unique features to watch. For example, with most tests, you shouldn’t tilt the front upwards as you pee, or even after, because that could mess up the results.

Reading the instructions carefully will help you to do the test correctly. They also often tell you how early you can take the test, how long to wait before trusting your result, and other important factors.

2. Don’t rush the process

Wait until you have to pee naturally, and not right after consuming a lot of liquids. Just pee normally, following the instructions, and then set the test aside and wait the total amount of time suggested.

Anxiously staring at the test can cause you to react too soon or even throw it away before it’s done processing. It can also lead to dropping, bumping, or damaging the stick, making the whole ordeal a waste of time.

It’s always best to wait patiently, as hard as that may be.

3. Wait until at least 24 hours after your period should have started

While some tests claim to work days before your period is even due, a test can’t force your body into producing HCG, and it doesn’t know when you ovulated.

If you decide to try those early detection tests, be prepared for a potential false negative. If your result is negative, relax until at least a day after your period should’ve started, then test again. We know that waiting is the hardest part, but it will save you time, money, and your sanity.

When Should I See a Doctor?

If two weeks have passed since your estimated period date and you still haven’t gotten a positive pregnancy test, you should seek help. Minor issues like stress or diet changes that affect your cycle could be masking a more significant problem or lead to one later on.

You’ll also need to seek care from an OB provider as soon as possible if you’re expecting, so the sooner you find out if you’re having a baby, the better.

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Causes and is it common?

Many people who miss a period will take a test to check for pregnancy. If the pregnancy test is negative, various conditions and factors may be responsible for the lack of menstruation.

The ovaries release an egg during ovulation, approximately every 28 days. If no sperm fertilizes the egg, a person’s period will usually start about 14 days later.

While a missed period is one of the first signs of pregnancy, there are various other reasons why it can occur.

Menstrual irregularities, such as missed or late periods, occur in 14–25% of women of childbearing age. They can result from a range of conditions besides pregnancy, including hormonal imbalances, hormonal birth control, stress, weight loss, trauma, and certain health conditions.

This article discusses what can cause a person to miss their period and how common this is.

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation during a person’s reproductive years. Someone may have this condition if they miss their period for 3 months in a row or have not had their first period by the age of 15.

This condition affects 3–4% of women.

Amenorrhea usually happens when the ovaries stop making enough of the hormone estrogen. A range of factors can cause a lack of estrogen.

Several health factors and conditions can cause a person to miss their period.

Short-term causes of missed periods

Irregular periods are common, especially during the first few years of a person’s period. Many circumstances may affect the regularity of the menstrual cycle, including:

Weight changes due to an eating disorder

The rapid gain or loss of a significant amount of weight can lead to hormonal imbalances. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa may cause dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which causes changes to hormone levels and may cause periods to be irregular or stop altogether.

Eating disorders can severely affect the quality of life of people living with these conditions and those close to them. Early intervention and treatment greatly improve the likelihood of recovery.

Anyone who suspects that they or a loved one has an eating disorder can contact the National Eating Disorder Association for advice and support via:

• phone or text at 800-931-2237
• online chat, by going to this link

These services are only open during specific hours. Someone in crisis can text “NEDA” to 741741 at any time to get support from a trained volunteer at Crisis Text Line.

Alternatively, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) run a Disaster Distress Helpline that people can contact on 800-985-5990 for 24-7 support.

Many other resources are available, including:

• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
• The Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness
• F.E.A.S.T., who provide support and educational resources to friends and family who want to help someone living with an eating disorder

Stress

Intense stress can affect the part of the brain that controls the reproductive hormones. This can cause ovulation and periods to stop.

Once the cause of the stress eases or the person learns coping strategies to manage it, their regular cycle may return.

Producing too much prolactin — breastfeeding

Prolactin is a hormone that the body usually makes during breastfeeding. It can affect menstruation and is why most people who breastfeed do not have periods. Periods typically return once a person stops breastfeeding.

A milky discharge from the nipples can signify that the body is making an abnormally high amount of prolactin in people who are not breastfeeding. Doctors can treat excessive prolactin production with medication.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

People with PCOS have a hormonal imbalance that can affect their overall health and appearance, in addition to causing ovarian cysts. This can cause a person to have irregular periods or stop having them entirely.

Up to 10% of women of childbearing age have PCOS and may have enlarged ovaries with clusters of small, benign cysts.

People with PCOS may experience other symptoms as well as missing periods. These include:

• very light, very heavy, or unpredictable bleeding during periods
• skin conditions, such as acne, dark patches, or skin tags
• being overweight or having obesity
• thinning hair
• sleep apnea
• difficulty getting pregnant
• excess hair on the face, back, or thighs
• increases in vaginal discharge
• cramping

Excessive exercise

Amenorrhea is common among athletes who train intensely. Intense exercise causes the body to release stress hormones, which can interfere with the production of reproductive hormones and cause irregular or missed periods.

Exercises that may cause a person to have low body weight, such as long-distance running or intensive ballet, are more likely than others to cause amenorrhea.

Hormonal birth control

Hormonal birth control works by suppressing ovulation, which means a person may experience changes to their period, including having periods that are early, late, or stopped altogether.

Long-term causes of missed periods

Some underlying health conditions may cause a person to stop having periods altogether.

Thyroid problems

The thyroid is a gland that produces hormones to control the body’s metabolism.

Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is when the thyroid does not produce enough of these hormones. Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, results in the levels of thyroid hormones in the body being too high. Both conditions can affect the frequency of a person’s period.

Doctors can usually diagnose thyroid problems using a simple blood test.

Thyroid disorders can cause a person to miss their period but may also cause other symptoms, including;

• fatigue, or extreme tiredness
• hair loss
• unexplained weight gain or loss
• always feeling cold or being warm all the time

Perimenopause

People enter menopause when they have not had a period for at least 12 months. The average age of people entering menopause in the United States is 52 years old. However, the transition to menopause, known as perimenopause, may cause symptoms that begin at a younger age.

Other symptoms of perimenopause include:

• heavier or lighter periods
• hot flashes
• problems sleeping
• mood swings or irritability
• vaginal dryness
• reduced interest in sex

Diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of irregular menstrual periods due to anovulation, which happens when an ovary does not release an egg into the fallopian tube. When this occurs, a person will not get their menstrual period.

Learn more about diabetes and periods here.

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

POI is when a person’s ovaries stop working as expected before they reach 40 years old. POI is not the same as early menopause or perimenopause. People with POI may not get their monthly periods or may experience irregular periods.

Cushing’s syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal condition that occurs due to exposure to too much cortisol or medications similar to cortisol. People with Cushing’s syndrome may experience irregular or stopped periods.

Missed period with discharge

Some people may experience vaginal discharge alongside missed periods.

Potential causes of this include:

• hormonal birth control
• PCOS
• delayed ovulation

Missed period with cramps

In some instances, a person may experience abdominal cramps and missing periods.

Potential causes of this include:

• delayed ovulation
• PCOS
• uterine fibroids

Home pregnancy tests can sometimes give a false negative result, indicating that someone is not pregnant when they are. The accuracy of a home pregnancy test varies depending on how and when a person takes it.

Some of the reasons a test may give a false-negative result include:

Taking a test too soon

Home pregnancy tests look for the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine. Although some tests can detect hCG from the first day of a missed period, they are generally more accurate later on.

Low hormones

Tests are usually more precise first thing in the morning because the urine is less diluted at this time, making hCG easier to detect.

If a person starts to experience irregular periods, they should contact their doctor immediately. This includes having periods more frequently than every 24 days or less often than every 38 days.

Individuals may miss a period due to several causes, including specific medical conditions, so it is essential to get a proper diagnosis.

To ensure that a home pregnancy test is accurate, people should follow the instructions on the packaging and wait until at least 1 week after the first day of the missed period before taking the test.

Menstrual irregularities such as missed or late periods are common, especially in younger people who are menstruating. If a person misses a period and is not pregnant, it could be due to situational factors such as increased stress, intense exercise, starting new hormonal birth control, or experiencing sudden weight changes.

In some cases, a missed period may be due to a chronic condition such as a thyroid condition, type 2 diabetes, Cushing’s syndrome, or PCOS.

If a person misses more than three periods in a row, they should contact a healthcare professional to make sure their reproductive system is healthy and functioning properly.

Negative Pregnancy Test but No Period?

Reviewed by

Dr Joanna Pike

on Feb 27, 2019

Written by Jennifer Walker.

When you miss your period, you may be wondering ‘Am I pregnant?’ Perhaps you’re feeling a little nauseous, your breasts are tender, or you’re experiencing other early signs of pregnancy, but you’ve taken the test, and the results say you’re not pregnant. You may be asking: Can I trust the results? Sometimes you can get a false negative on your pregnancy test – meaning you’re pregnant, but the test says otherwise. On the flipside, you can miss your period, but you’re not pregnant. Read on to find out what a negative pregnancy test result means. 

Table of Contents

1. Why did I get a negative test result?
2. Rise of pregnancy hormone (hCG) in early pregnancy
3. Is it possible to be pregnant and get a negative pregnancy test result? 
4. What is happening when my pregnancy test is negative, and I missed my period? 
5. When is it too early to test?
6. Do I have to take the test first thing in the morning?
7. Can I do the test wrong?
8. What if there is something wrong with the test? 
9. I got a negative result, what should I do next? ​

• A pregnancy test works by detecting the hCG hormone, which is usually only present in your body if you’re pregnant.
• Your hCG levels will increase over time if you are pregnant.
• A negative pregnancy test result means the test hasn’t detected hCG in your urine.
• If your period is very late, or you’ve skipped your period, and you get a negative result, you are unlikely to be pregnant.
• If you are testing before the date of your expected period, you may be pregnant but your hCG levels are too low for the test to detect.
• You may get a negative result when testing early if you’re not using the first urine of the day, you drank too much liquid, or the test is not sensitive enough for early testing – even if you’re pregnant.

Why did I get a negative test result?

You can get a negative result on your pregnancy test for two reasons: You are not pregnant or you are pregnant, but you tested too early for the pregnancy test you used to pick up the hCG ‘pregnancy’ hormone in your body.  

Pregnancy tests work by picking up (detecting) a hormone known as hCG (human Chorionic Gonadotrophin), which is produced when you get pregnant and will continue to increase over the first couple of months of pregnancy. You can see how hCG levels increase from ovulation to your missed period in the graph below. 

Rise of pregnancy hormone (hCG) in early pregnancy

Relative hCG
concentration

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

Ovulation

hCG can start to appear in urine around this time

First day you can test with Clearblue® Early Detection Pregnancy Test

Expected
period

Missed
period

Days before missed period

View Full Screen

Adapted from: Gnoth C. and Johnson S. Strips of Hope: Accuracy of Home Pregnancy Tests and New Developments. GeburtshilfeFrauenheilkd 2014;74(7):661–669.

If you test too early, a test may not pick up enough hCG to turn positive. If you’re testing before the day of your expected period, you may see a negative result – even if you’re pregnant – if:  

• Your test wasn’t sensitive enough for early testing. 
• You didn’t use the first urine of the day, so concentration of hCG in your urine wasn’t high enough.
• You drank too much liquid before testing and you diluted the hormone in your urine. 

But what if you got a negative result, and your period is late? Chances are you are not pregnant and your period may be late or you may even skip it due to stress or illness. If the test is negative and you didn’t test early, you may have missed your period if:

• You’re breastfeeding
• You’ve been ill
• You have irregular periods (e.g., due to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, often called PCOS)
• You’ve been travelling
• You’ve not been sleeping properly
• You’ve been under very high stress
• You’re on fertility medication like Clomid®
• You haven’t had a period for months
• You’re menopausal or peri-menopausal

See your doctor for further advice if you’re worried about a missed or skipped period. 

Is it possible to be pregnant and get a negative pregnancy test result? 

Yes, it is possible.  Getting a negative result doesn’t mean you’re not pregnant, it may just mean your hCG levels are not high enough for the test to detect the hormone in your urine. Even the most sensitive, ‘early detection’, pregnancy tests available can only detect pregnancy up to six days before your missed period (which is five days before you expect your period) and even then, these tests won’t be able to detect every pregnancy that early. 

Also, if you’re testing very early, your test may only detect hCG in your urine in the morning when it’s most concentrated. This is also why it’s important not to drink too much water before using a home pregnancy test, as this can dilute your hCG levels as well. 

Other reasons you may get a negative result on a test when you’re pregnant could be because you’re using a test that has expired (check the packaging for the date) or has not been stored properly (you need to keep your test between 2-30°C). 

There is also the incredibly rare chance you have an ectopic pregnancy that doesn’t give a positive result– fewer than 3% of ectopic pregnancies show a negative result.  

If you get a negative test result and you think you are still pregnant – take another test on the day you expect your period.  If your period is overdue, test again three days later.  If you are still unsure, see your doctor. 

What is happening when my pregnancy test is negative, and I missed my period? 

It’s easy to jump to the conclusion a missed period means pregnancy, but sometimes your period is late for other reasons. To start with, your menstrual cycle length can vary between cycles and, in fact, 46% of cycles can vary by seven days or more. Your period can be very late or you may even skip your period due to:

• illness
• travel
• poor sleep 
• very high stress

You may also experience irregular periods after you’ve had a baby and you’re breastfeeding. If you’ve recently given birth and are breastfeeding, your periods may not start again until you’ve stopped breastfeeding – but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get pregnant so don’t forget to use contraception if that’s not in your plan!

Another reason you may have irregular or absent periods is you’re entering menopause. But even if you’re over 45 and you’ve noticed your period is late, it’s still a good idea to take a pregnancy test just in case.

Birth control pills can also affect the regularity of your periods when you come off them. This is because hormonal contraceptives actually control your menstrual cycles while you’re taking them so you may be irregular for the first couple of months as your body ‘recalibrates’. 

If you haven’t had a period for months and you’re not pregnant, this could be due to an imbalance in your hormone levels, a side effect from medication, excessive exercise, or being severely over or underweight. If you haven’t had your period for months, see your doctor to find out the cause. 

When is it too early to test?

It depends on the test. Some tests are sensitive enough to detect hCG in your urine six days before your missed period (which is five days before you expect your period). Read the instructions on the pack to understand what the brand of test you’re using means by early detection. Some women still prefer to test on the day they expect their period, when all home pregnancy tests claim to be over 99% accurate.   

Conception usually happens around two weeks before your period would normally be expected. If you’re trying for a baby you can use an ovulation test not only to know your peak fertile days, but it will inform you about your cycle, so you know when it’s best to take the test. This can help you feel more confident in the results you see.

Do I have to take the test first thing in the morning?

Not unless you are testing early. Otherwise your test should detect hCG any time of day if you are pregnant. However, if you’re taking a pregnancy test before your missed period, it’s better to test first thing in the morning when concentrations of hCG are the highest. 

You can also dilute the amount of hCG in your urine by drinking too much liquid, so try not to drink more than you usually would.

Can I do the test wrong?

It’s important you read the instructions that come with your test carefully and follow them. This way you can be sure you can trust the result. Some tests are easier to read than others – for a test that gives a result in words such as ‘pregnant’ or ‘not pregnant’, is clear – whereas visual tests where you have to interpret lines can be harder to read and can leave you wondering whether you’re pregnant or not. If you doubt you’re reading the result correctly and the uncertainty makes you feel anxious, then get a test that is easy to read, like  the Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test, so you can be sure of the result you see. 

You can see what a negative pregnancy test result looks like in our infographic below. 

What if there is something wrong with the test? 

You can get a false negative with a pregnancy test that has passed its expiry date, so check the packaging before use. 

I got a negative result, what should I do next? ​

If you’re still not sure about the result, you wait until the day of your expected period to test, or test again in three days’ time if you’ve missed your period, with a pregnancy test from a reliable brand and follow the instructions carefully. You can also go to your doctor if you have doubts. You may get tested at the clinic or your doctor may recommend another brand of test to use.  

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Sources:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pregnancy-test/
How Regular Is Regular? An Analysis of Menstrual Cycle Regularity Mitchell D Creinin et al. Contraception. Oct 2004
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How Late Can a Period Be Without Being Pregnant?

For many, a late period can trigger thoughts of potential pregnancy. But a late period doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re pregnant.

How many days late can a period be before worrying about pregnancy?

Everyone’s cycle is different. Healthy cycles can range in length from 21 to 35 days, and how long a cycle lasts can vary from cycle to cycle. Unless you have irregular cycles due to a medical condition, you probably have at least a rough idea of when to expect your next period.

A period is considered late if it hasn’t started within seven days of when you expect it. Most pregnancy tests will be able to give you accurate results by the time your period is late. If you get a negative pregnancy test after missing a period, and your period is more than a week late, you may want to see your health care provider to figure out what’s going on. 

If you get a negative pregnancy test result, still haven’t gotten your period, and start to experience early pregnancy symptoms, consider taking another test. Sometimes, home pregnancy tests can give a false-negative result if it’s taken too early in the pregnancy to detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. In these cases, it can take a bit longer to know you’re pregnant after a late period. The earliest hCG detection can be done with an hCG serum test performed by a doctor as early as 8 to 10 days after ovulation.

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How do you know if your period is late?

Whether you’re busy or just have a lot on your mind, it’s easy to forget when you should expect your period to start. But if you’re not sure when to expect your period, it’s hard to know if it’s late.

A period tracking app like Flo can help. By logging your usual menstrual cycle dates, Flo can predict when you can expect your period. This information can also be very useful if you need to go to your health care provider when you miss your period. Having information about your cycle can help them understand what’s happening inside your body.

Reasons for a late period (other than pregnancy)

There are lots of causes for a late period that aren’t pregnancy. Some of the most common causes of late periods include:

Hormonal birth control

One of the ways that hormonal birth control prevents pregnancy is by thinning the uterine lining. This lining, or endometrium, is where an embryo would implant itself if you got pregnant. It’s also the layer that sheds from your uterus during menstruation each month. Since birth control makes this layer thinner, many people experience lighter periods while they’re taking it. 

In some cases, the endometrium gets so thin that menstruation doesn’t happen. Everyone is different, and as long as you’ve been taking your birth control correctly, missing a period on birth control shouldn’t be a cause for concern. If it will ease your mind, you can always take a pregnancy test if you’re not sure.

Stress

Stress affects everyone differently. When you experience chronic or extreme stress, hormones like cortisol can interfere with your menstrual cycle. However, it’s hard to determine exactly how much stress you have to experience for this to occur, since everyone reacts to stress differently.

If you have an underlying health condition, stress could be an added factor that makes your cycles even more irregular. Creating healthy lifestyle habits can help keep both your mind and body in good shape.

Weight fluctuations

Being overweight or underweight can cause hormonal imbalances since fatty tissue plays a role in synthesizing hormones. Additionally, gaining or losing a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time can affect your hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is part of one of your body’s systems responsible for hormones. If the function of your hypothalamus is disrupted from an abrupt weight change, it can disrupt ovulation and cause a late or missed period. 

Medications

Certain medications, such as certain antipsychotics, can create hormonal imbalances that can cause a late or missed period. Check with your health care provider or pharmacist about the possible side effects of any medications you’re taking.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that can cause irregular periods because it affects your ovulation. Other symptoms of PCOS include:

• Excessive body hair growth (hirsutism)
• Scalp hair loss
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Acne on the face, chest, and upper back
• Difficulty getting pregnant
• Darkening of skin, particularly along neck creases, in the groin, and underneath breasts

If you believe that you could have PCOS, a health care provider can give you a proper diagnosis and prescribe the treatment that you need.

There are other conditions that can cause late or missed periods other than pregnancy. These conditions include:

• Perimenopause
• Thyroid disease
• Pituitary tumors
• Breastfeeding
• Change in sleep schedule
• Dietary changes
• Excessive exercise

Having a late period doesn’t always mean that you’re pregnant. In some cases, such as when you’re experiencing stress, your cycles could return to normal once you’re feeling better. However, if you’re worried about the underlying cause of your late period, it’s always helpful to take a pregnancy test and/or contact your health care provider if other symptoms arise.   

I Have No Period and a Negative Pregnancy Test

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I Have No Period and a Negative Pregnancy Test — Now What?

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It’s very frightening when your period is late, and you think you might be unexpectedly pregnant. Fear quickly morphs into confusion when you take a pregnancy test, and the result is negative — but still no period. Now what?

Read on and learn more about why you could have a negative pregnancy test but miss your period. We’ll also discuss causes for a false-negative pregnancy test and reasons other than pregnancy that may cause your period to be late.

Lastly, we’ll suggest what steps to take next when your pregnancy test is negative, and you still don’t see your period.

Why Would I Have a Negative Pregnancy Test but No Period?

The most probable explanation for having a negative pregnancy test and no period is that you aren’t pregnant, and something else is delaying your period. We’ll discuss this possibility in the next section.

It’s also possible that you got a false negative pregnancy test result. There are several reasons this can happen, which include [1]:

• You are pregnant, but the pregnancy test can’t detect the pregnancy hormones because the levels are too low or very high.
• You are pregnant, but a medical issue is causing a negative pregnancy test.
• You are pregnant, but the pregnancy test is defective.

How Can I Have a Negative Pregnancy Test and Still Be Pregnant?

Here we’ll discuss possible reasons you can precisely follow pregnancy test directions, get a negative test, and still be pregnant.

1. The pregnancy test can’t detect pregnancy hormones because the levels are too low (or very high).

It takes at least ten days after conception for your body to produce enough of the human chorionic gonadotropin pregnancy hormone (hCG) for a home pregnancy test to detect [2].

There are several reasons hCG levels can be too low to register a positive result, and they include:

• You tested too early

Even if you’ve already missed your period, you can get a false-negative result. It’s not common, but it could happen if ovulation occurred later in your cycle than usual.

For example, you usually ovulate on day fourteen of your cycle. But this month, you were under a lot of stress and ovulated on day twenty instead. So, if you became pregnant, it would have happened about six days later in your cycle than usual, which means you won’t get a positive pregnancy test until six days later.

If you get a negative result and suspect you’re pregnant, try testing again in a few days if you still don’t get your period.

• Your urine was diluted

You can also get a false-negative result if your urine is too diluted when you take your pregnancy test. For this reason, it’s best to use first-morning urine or test after you haven’t had any fluids to drink for about six hours.

A rare phenomenon called the “hook effect” can also lead to a false-negative pregnancy test result [3]. A hook effect occurs when hCG levels are so high that the pregnancy test can’t read it.

Situations that could cause a false-negative pregnancy test due to a hook effect include:

• Being pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets, etc.)
• Rare medical conditions such as a molar pregnancy

2. A pregnancy-related medical issue is causing a negative pregnancy test.

• Ectopic pregnancy is when the pregnancy is located outside of the uterus — often in one of the fallopian tubes. An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical care.

3. The pregnancy test is defective.

An expired or defective pregnancy test can also cause a false-negative result. Always be sure the control line is present when you read the results window. If you don’t see it, take a follow-up test.

Reasons You Might Miss a Period Other Than Pregnancy

As we stated earlier, the most probable reason your pregnancy test was negative is that you aren’t pregnant. But if you aren’t pregnant, you wonder why your period is late. Here are possible reasons:

• Breastfeeding
• Hormonal birth control
• Illness
• Medications or medical problems
• Perimenopause
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Poor sleep
• Stress
• Thyroid conditions
• Too much exercise
• Travel
• Weight changes

Still, No Period and a Negative Pregnancy Test?

So, what should your next steps be if you have a negative pregnancy test but no period? Late or missing periods signal that your body needs attention.

Your first step is to repeat the pregnancy test then reach out to your healthcare provider to determine when they prefer to see you.

Seek medical attention immediately from a medical professional or emergency room if you have any of the following symptoms because they could indicate a severe medical problem:

• Severe pain on one side of your abdomen or pelvic area
• Pain in one shoulder
• Vaginal bleeding that isn’t a period
• Dizziness or fainting
• Nausea or vomiting

Pregnancy Care Center Offers Compassion and Answers

You don’t have to continue worrying about what’s happening with your body. Pregnancy Care Clinic offers no-cost services to help you get the answers you deserve.

We can save you money by providing you with a medical-grade pregnancy test. If your test is negative, we are happy to repeat it for you. However, if your next pregnancy test is also negative with no period — or if you have signs indicating a medical issue, we will recommend additional follow-up.

If your pregnancy test is positive, we can walk with you step-by-step, so you are empowered to make an informed pregnancy decision. This may include a limited ultrasound, education, and information about your options for an unexpected pregnancy.

Our licensed healthcare providers at Pregnancy Care Clinic are compassionate and skilled. You can visit us with confidence, knowing that you will never be judged here. So contact us for your confidential appointment today.

Resources:

[1] Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021, February 24). Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results? Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940.

[2] Cleveland Clinic Staff. (2021, January 26). Pregnancy tests. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9703-pregnancy-tests.

[3] Winder, A. D., Mora, A. S., Berry, E., & Lurain, J. R. (2017). The “hook effect” causing a negative pregnancy test in a patient with an advanced molar pregnancy. Gynecologic oncology reports, 21, 34–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gore.2017.06.008

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Pregnancy tests | Office on Women’s Health

If you think you may be pregnant, taking a pregnancy test as soon as the first day of your missed period can help you get the care and support you need. A home pregnancy test can tell whether you are pregnant with almost 99% accuracy, depending on how you use it. If a pregnancy test says you are pregnant, you should see your doctor for another test to confirm the pregnancy and talk about next steps.

How soon can I use a home pregnancy test?

Some home pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others and can be taken before your missed period. But you may get more accurate results if you wait until after the first day of your missed period.

This is because the amount of the pregnancy hormone, called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, in your urine increases with time. The earlier you take the test, the harder it is for the test to detect the hCG.

hCG is made when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This usually happens about 10 days after conception (when the man’s sperm fertilizes the woman’s egg).¹

My pregnancy test says I am pregnant. What should I do next?

If a home pregnancy test shows that you are pregnant, you should call your doctor to schedule an appointment.

Your doctor can use a blood test to tell for sure whether you are pregnant. Seeing your doctor early in your pregnancy also means you can begin prenatal care to help you and your baby stay healthy.

My pregnancy test says I am not pregnant. Could I still be pregnant?

Yes, it is possible you could still be pregnant. It’s possible to be pregnant and to have a pregnancy test show that you are not pregnant.

The accuracy of home pregnancy test results varies from woman to woman because:

• Each woman ovulates at a different time in her menstrual cycle.
• The fertilized egg can implant in a woman’s uterus at different times.
• Sometimes women get false-negative results when they test too early in the pregnancy. False negative means the test says you are not pregnant when you are.
• Problems with the pregnancy can affect the amount of hCG in the urine.

If a test says you are not pregnant, take another pregnancy test in a few days. If you are pregnant, your hCG levels should double every 48 hours.¹ If you think you are pregnant but more tests say you are not, call your doctor.

What if I can’t tell whether my pregnancy test is positive or negative?

Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether the test is positive or negative. The line may be faint, or you may worry whether you peed too much or too little on the stick.

No matter how faint the line or plus sign, if you see it, you are most likely pregnant. The faintness of the line can mean you are early in your pregnancy and your hCG levels are still low.

Also, the pregnancy test should have a control line that tells you whether the test was done correctly. If the control line is blank, then the test did not work and you should take another test.

What should I consider when buying a pregnancy test?

• Cost. Home pregnancy tests come in many different types. Most stores sell them over the counter (without a doctor’s prescription). The cost varies depending on the brand and how many tests come in the box.
• Accuracy. Most tests can be taken as soon as you miss your period. Some newer, more expensive tests say they can be used 4 or 5 days before your period. Even so, they claim the best accuracy only after the date of your expected period.

What are the different types of pregnancy tests?

Pregnancy tests check for the hCG hormone in two ways:

• Urine test. This type of pregnancy test can be done at home or at a doctor’s office.
• Blood test. This type of pregnancy test can only be done at a doctor’s office. It takes longer than a urine test to get results, but it can detect a pregnancy earlier than a urine test (about 10 days after conception, compared to typically 2 weeks or more for a urine test). Your doctor may use one or both types of blood tests:
  • A quantitative blood test (also called a beta hCG test) that measures the exact amount of hCG in your blood. It can find even tiny amounts of hCG. It can also tell you and your doctor how many weeks you are pregnant.
  • A qualitative hCG blood test checks to see whether the pregnancy hormone is present or not. The qualitative hCG blood test is about as accurate as a urine test.

How do I use a home pregnancy test?

All home pregnancy tests come with written instructions. Depending on the brand you buy, the instructions may vary:

• You hold a stick in your urine stream.
• You pee into a cup and dip the stick into it.
• You pee into a cup and then use a dropper to put a few drops of the urine into a special container.

Different brands tell you to wait different amounts of time, although most are around 2 minutes. Depending on the brand of the test, you may see a line or a plus symbol, or the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant.” A line or plus symbol, no matter how faint, means the result is positive.

Most tests also have a “control indicator” in the result window. This control line or symbol shows whether the test is working properly. If the control line or symbol does not appear, the test is not working properly.

Look for the toll-free phone number on the package to call in case of questions about use or results.

How accurate are home pregnancy tests?

Most home pregnancy tests claim to be up to 99% accurate. But the accuracy depends on:

• How you use them. Be sure to check the expiration date and follow the instructions. Wait up to 10 minutes after taking the test to check the results window. Research suggests that waiting 10 minutes will give the most accurate result.
• When you use them. The amount of hCG or pregnancy hormone in your urine increases with time. The earlier you take the test, the harder it is for the test to detect the hCG. Most home pregnancy tests can accurately detect pregnancy after a missed period. Also, testing your urine first thing in the morning can boost the accuracy.
• Who uses them. Each woman ovulates at a different time in her menstrual cycle. Plus, the fertilized egg can implant in a woman’s uterus at different times. Your body makes hCG after implantation occurs. In up to 10% of women, implantation does not occur until after the first day of a missed period. This means home pregnancy tests can be accurate as soon as 1 day after a missed period for some women but not for others.
• The brand of test. Some home pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others. For that reason, some tests are better than others at detecting hCG early on. Talk to your pharmacist about which brand may be best for you.

I have irregular periods and don’t know when my next period will start. When should I take a pregnancy test?

Most pregnancy tests claim to be the most accurate after a missed period. But irregular periods can make it hard to predict when to take the test.

Periods are considered irregular if:

• The number of days between periods is either shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
• The number of days in the menstrual cycle varies from month to month. For example, your cycle may be 22 days one month and 33 days the next month.

If you have irregular periods, try counting 36 days from the start of your last menstrual cycle or four weeks from the time you had sex. At this point, if you are pregnant, your levels of hCG should be high enough to detect the pregnancy.

If your test says you are not pregnant, but you still think you may be pregnant, wait a few more days and take another pregnancy test. Or, call your doctor for a blood test.

Can anything affect home pregnancy test results?

Yes. If you take medicine with the pregnancy hormone hCG as an active ingredient, you may get a false-positive test result. A false positive is when a test says you are pregnant when you are not.

Some examples of medicines with hCG include certain medicines for infertility. If you are taking medicine to help you get pregnant, you may want to see your doctor for a pregnancy test.

Most medicines should not affect the results of a home pregnancy test. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medicines such as birth control and antibiotics. Also, alcohol and illegal drugs do not affect pregnancy test results.

How do pregnancy tests work?

All pregnancy tests work by detecting the pregnancy hormone, hCG, in the urine or blood. This hormone is present only when a woman is pregnant. If the pregnancy test detects hCG, it will say you are pregnant.

hCG is made when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This usually happens about 10 days after conception (when the man’s sperm fertilizes the woman’s egg).¹ The amount of hCG builds up quickly in your body with each passing day you are pregnant.

So if you take a home pregnancy test too soon after implantation, your hCG level may not be high enough to detect the pregnancy. If the test says you are not pregnant, take another pregnancy test in a few days.

Did we answer your question about pregnancy tests?

For more information about pregnancy tests, call the OWH Helpline at 1-800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations:

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA), HHS
  Phone Number: 888-463-6332
• American Pregnancy Association
  Phone Number: 972-550-0140
• Planned Parenthood Federation of America
  Phone Number: 800-230-7526

Sources

1. Medline Plus. (2012). Pregnancy Test.

All material contained on these pages are free of copyright restrictions and maybe copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.

Page last updated:
February 22, 2021

9 very first signs of pregnancy

It draws on salty and all the time I want to cry – you can find out about the onset of pregnancy before the appearance of the cherished strips on the test and the delay in menstruation. We analyze the early signs that indicate that a woman will soon become a mother.

What causes symptoms of pregnancy

The first signs of pregnancy are due to the body’s reaction to the embryo and can vary significantly from woman to woman. But there are some of the most common symptoms that can be used to suspect conception even before a delay. These are nausea, which occurs more often in the morning, mood swings and increased sensitivity of the breast.

Signs of pregnancy before a delay generally resemble the manifestations of premenstrual syndrome, so girls often take them as a signal of the upcoming menstruation. Moreover, one of the typical precursors is spotting. But they are not caused by the rejection of the endometrium, as during menstruation, but by the implantation of the fetal egg into the uterus.

How to understand that you are pregnant before the delay

Pregnancy in the first days after the embryo is attached to the uterine wall is rarely clinically manifested. Changes in well-being are usually noticed only by especially sensitive women who may complain of an unstable mood or toxicosis, although the latter often appears no earlier than the second week after fertilization.

A number of experts associate the feeling of pregnancy symptoms in the first days, first of all, with a psychological factor, without excluding the role of the hCG hormone synthesized by a fertilized egg.

The vast majority of pregnant women in the first week do not observe any new sensations and feel good. Some see increased pigmentation, “freckling” of the nipples and note an increase in the sensitivity of the breast.

Possible signs of pregnancy in the early days:

• spotting from the vagina, which may be accompanied by mild pain in the lower abdomen;
• engorgement, soreness of the chest;
• fatigue, drowsiness;
• mood lability;
• delay of menstruation;
• bouts of nausea, which can provoke even smells, and not just food;
• frequent urination;
• heartburn, craving for certain foods or, conversely, aversion to any food;
• stool retention.

Pregnancy can be indicated not only by analyzes and tests, but also by some external manifestations. However, many of them are easily confused with other conditions – premenstrual syndrome, hormonal disruptions, infectious diseases. Our doctors can remotely help you interpret your symptoms and answer any questions about the normal course of your pregnancy.

Bleeding

Approximately 3 out of 10 women can find out that they are pregnant by unusual discharge and discomfort in the lower abdomen. This is nothing more than implantation bleeding that develops in the process of attaching the embryo to the uterus.

The release of blood occurs due to damage to the vessels of the endometrium, the cells of which are dissolved by the enzymes of the embryo for its successful implantation. Normally, the volume of outgoing blood does not exceed 5 ml, so the discharge is smearing in nature and has a pinkish or brownish tint.

If bleeding occurs in the first 2 weeks of gestation, a woman may mistake them for menstruation and not even realize that she had a miscarriage.

Many people think that menstruation is coming, considering hormonal failure to be the culprit, and they are very surprised to find the gasket clean the next day. Implantation lasts about 40 hours and starts 5-7 days before the start of a new cycle.

Therefore, it seems to a woman that menstruation begins ahead of time. In fact, this fertilized egg is introduced into the uterine layer on the 3rd day after ovulation. The process may be accompanied by a pulling pain in the lower abdomen of low intensity.

If you believe the reviews, at this time there is often a metallic taste in the mouth and weakness in the body.

However, no more than a third of women can determine pregnancy before a delay by implantation bleeding. But it is from this moment that physiological changes begin in the body.

Important! Bleeding as a harbinger of pregnancy cannot be profuse, and the stomach should not be very painful. With severe spasms and heavy bleeding, you should consult a doctor to rule out spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) and ectopic pregnancy.

Breast engorgement and tenderness

You can understand that a girl is pregnant by the characteristic thickening and soreness of the mammary glands. Similar sensations are characteristic of PMS, but in pregnant women they are somewhat more pronounced. This is due to the sensitivity of the glandular breast tissue to any fluctuations in hormones due to its preparation for lactation.

The pain soon passes, as the body gets used to the new hormonal status. However, for many women, the breasts gradually increase, so it is better to purchase a bra one size larger than usual in advance. It is also recommended to abandon lace underwear.

Sometimes the first sign of pregnancy after conception is, on the contrary, the absence of chest pain, whereas before they always appeared before menstruation. Thus, the endocrine system can also respond to hormonal changes.

If you look closely, then at an early stage of pregnancy you can see the darkening of the nipples. Note that the signs of conception from the chest are not always primary. Sometimes the increase and soreness of the mammary glands become noticeable only in the later stages.

Easy fatigue and drowsiness

It is impossible to determine pregnancy solely by this indicator, but it is included in the list of its typical symptoms. Especially suspicious will be constant fatigue in women who have not experienced fatigue during periods of PMS before.

An annoying feeling of weakness should draw attention to itself. Girls often write about him on various forums, who early guessed about their “position” only thanks to their unusual fatigue.

Increased fatigue is due to the rapid growth of the fetus, which requires nutrition and energy. And all this is provided by the maternal organism, forced to restructure its work at a pace. Hence the lack of strength, drowsiness. If against their background there was also a delay, then you can go to the pharmacy for a test.

Case study:

A 22-year-old girl turned to a therapist with a complaint of constant fatigue that had been haunting her for the past week. Analyzes revealed an increased level of hCG, pregnancy 5.5 weeks.

Read also
Why do you always want to sleep

Mood lability

You can find out about pregnancy before a delay by mood swings, which suddenly begin to change from euphoria to tears. And this can happen several times a day. However, mood swings are also characteristic of the last days of the cycle and are not always a sign of pregnancy.

The hormonal background during the period of the luteal – the second – phase of the cycle changes twice, and the hormone progesterone has a significant effect on the female psyche: it partly suppresses emotions, but gives instability to the perception of events that quickly succeed each other.

Suppressing the depth of the mother’s emotions is necessary, and nature provides for this in order to keep the child in the womb. But it takes time to adapt the psyche, so the primary signs of pregnancy often include nervousness, tearfulness, absent-mindedness. Mood swings from excellent to very bad are typical.

But if PMS is more characterized by a tendency to depression, then pregnancy is manifested precisely by mood swings without aggravating any of the two polar states.

Important! Mood swings are associated with hormonal changes in the body of a pregnant woman. This symptom usually appears 10-12-1 days after fertilization.

Delay

It is the delay in menstruation that is perhaps the most accurate symptom that a woman has become pregnant. But even here the guarantee is not one hundred percent, unless, of course, we are talking about a super regular cycle, when menstruation comes day after day.

However, even 1-2 days of delay may well be the first signs of pregnancy, so you should immediately take a test. But it is important to understand that a delay is still “officially” considered to be a delay of menstruation by 5 days or more. And here you should not completely trust home tests, since they do not always give accurate results in the early stages.

Delayed menstruation is one of the main signs of pregnancy, but it can also indicate other disorders in a woman’s body. Our doctors will remotely help you deal with the symptoms and tell you what other tests you need to undergo if the pregnancy test is negative.

Attacks of nausea

Nausea haunts almost all women, 85% of pregnant women feel sick at different intervals, but most often in the morning. Nausea often turns into vomiting, especially after eating. It can haunt the entire first trimester or appear from time to time.

The cause of nausea is the reaction of the body to the embryo as to a foreign body. Moreover, in some women it occurs with enviable regularity, often at the same time, while others only slightly and occasionally feel sick.

Early signs of conception may include increased salivation due to the influence of the hormone progesterone. Most often it disturbs at night, and in the morning a woman finds a wet pillow. Salivation is often combined with vomiting.

Attention! If you experience nausea, drink enough fluids to make up for the loss. You can minimize these pregnancy symptoms by eating small meals, not lying down after eating, and not gorging yourself at night.

Frequent urination

Frequent urination in a small way also often appear along with the first signs of pregnancy due to fluid retention in the body. Despite its small size, the uterus is already beginning to put pressure on the bladder.

The most important thing is not to reduce the amount of fluid you drink in order to run to the toilet less, otherwise there is a risk of dehydration!

Heartburn and new tastes

Strange desires for unusual food, eating a certain product in large quantities, aversion to any food – these are also typical symptoms of early pregnancy (and not only).

By the way, the desire to eat chalk or whitewash, lime often indicates a lack of calcium and other problems that are best addressed with a doctor.

As for heartburn, this is also the effect of progesterone, which relaxes the sphincter muscles between the stomach and esophagus. As a result, the contents of the stomach enter the esophagus, causing an unpleasant burning sensation behind the sternum.

Concomitant symptoms of pregnancy may occur in women in varying degrees. This may be a variant of the norm, but it may be a signal that the pregnancy is not proceeding quite normally. Our doctors remotely help to understand the feelings of a woman and answer any questions about the course of pregnancy.

Delay chair

And again, progesterone, which has the ability to slow down intestinal motility. It is possible to distinguish constipation during pregnancy from the “usual” one by the time of its occurrence. With PMS, intestinal problems end 3-4 days before menstruation, as the corpus luteum ceases to exist, and progesterone synthesis is completed.

If these are the first symptoms of pregnancy, then stool retention lasts longer, along with heartburn.

Attention! The risk of constipation and flatulence is increased if a woman takes iron supplements.

All symptoms in early pregnancy in one table

Women experience these sensations during pregnancy to one degree or another, but in some they are mild and may even be absent.

FAQ

Are there dizziness in early pregnancy?

+

It happens because of a decrease in blood pressure, which in pregnant women especially often decreases in the first months. The head may feel dizzy with a sudden movement or change of position.

When is the best time to take a pregnancy test?

+

Manufacturers advise using tests from the first day of a delay, but some ultra-sensitive systems are able to recognize signs of pregnancy before a missed period, 3-4 days in advance.

When can I go for an ultrasound?

+

The earliest period at which the embryo is visible is 5 obstetric weeks. That is, these 5 weeks must pass from the beginning of the last menstruation, counting from the first day. Simply put, you should go for an ultrasound no earlier than a week after the delay.

Why do pregnant women often get headaches?

+

Headaches are more often noted in the early stages, and they are mainly associated with hormonal changes. The cause can also be stress, overwork, dehydration due to frequent vomiting, and even a sharp rejection of coffee.

Expert opinion

If you notice the first signs of pregnancy, schedule a visit to the gynecologist in the near future, but not earlier than 2-3 weeks after the delay. He will put you on record, give you directions for the necessary tests, studies and visits to narrow specialists, and also write out a detailed action plan for the next 9 months.

When a rapid pregnancy test is wrong, a gynecologist from Mechnikov University explained

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Gynecologist Research Institute of Medical Mycology. Kashkin SZMGU them. Mechnikova

Life is priceless. Women have been given the ability to create life. My task is to help them appreciate and keep this gift.

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All rapid tests, regardless of price and method of operation, are based on the same principle – they determine the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine. This is a hormone that begins to be produced in the female body 7-10 days after the fertilized egg begins to develop. It is believed that when pregnancy occurs, hCG can be determined already in the first days of the delay in the menstrual cycle.

There are special substances in the tests that capture the hormone and react to it by changing the color on the strip or the inscription on the screen of the electronic device: pregnon or non pregnon (“pregnant” or “not pregnant”).

Why a negative answer can be false

If the concentration of gonadotropin is insufficient, the test result may turn out to be a false negative. This can happen when conception occurred shortly before the onset of menstruation, and hCG has not yet had time to accumulate in a perceptible amount. By the way, with a period of more than 12 weeks, an express test will also be useless: hCG ceases to be produced.

False-negative test may be in ectopic pregnancy and threatened miscarriage. With excessive fluid intake, the concentration of hCG in the urine may also decrease, which means that the result of the analysis may be unreliable. Therefore, before the test, experts advise not to drink a lot of fluids and not to use diuretics. This is especially important in the short term, when a woman does a test in the first days after a delay. And it is best to determine the level of the hormone in the morning.

“Some tests say that the time of day at which it is carried out does not matter,” says Yulia Dolgo-Saburova. — As a rule, such tests are positioned as highly sensitive. But no matter what the instructions say, a few days after the delay, I would still recommend doing the test in the morning, since a noticeable amount of hCG appears in the urine throughout the day around the third week of embryo development.

Why a positive answer can be false

In addition to false negative results, rapid pregnancy tests can also show false positives. This happens when taking drugs containing hCG, for example, ovulation-stimulating Pregnil and Profazi. At the end of treatment with these drugs, high hCG levels can persist for up to two weeks. Therefore, the test will have to wait for this period. After miscarriages, abortions, removal of an ectopic pregnancy, the hormone does not leave immediately – it still remains in the body for some time, and tests may give false positive answers.

The test can also show pregnancy where it is not present in various tumor processes.

How to avoid error

In addition, false results, both positive and negative, rapid tests may show for “technical” reasons.

The test may be of poor quality or expired. Therefore, it is always necessary to check the expiration date, the tightness of the packaging and do not hesitate to ask for a certificate. You can only use a well-packed device and print it out before direct use. Violation of storage conditions can also be misleading. In order not to doubt the correct storage of tests, it is better to buy them at a pharmacy.

Failure to follow test instructions and use of stale urine can also change the result. But much more often it happens that one day the test is positive, and after a while it becomes negative. But this is not a mistake. This happens when the pregnancy freezes for a very short period, and a miscarriage occurs. Usually a woman does not even notice it: everything happens like a normal menstruation, only with a slight delay.

Three types of tests – three degrees of accuracy

There are three groups of rapid tests: strips, flatbeds and inkjet. The most popular ones are test strips . The principle of operation is simple: you need to lower the test strip into a small amount of urine and after 5-10 minutes the answer will be known. If the second strip is colored – the test is positive, if not colored – negative. It happens that the second strip has changed color barely noticeably, such a result is considered weakly positive. And gynecologists advise to repeat the test in three days. Test strips are the cheapest, but also less “truthful” compared to the rest. The inaccuracy of the results is due to the fact that the strip can be underexposed or overexposed.

Tablet tests are slightly more expensive, but the quality of their results is considered to be higher. The test consists of two windows: in the first you need to drop a few drops of urine with a pipette, and in the second, after a while, the answer will appear.

For inkjet tests, you do not need to collect urine separately – just place the device under the urine stream, as indicated in the instructions. After a few minutes, the result will appear on the display. Inkjet tests are considered the most expensive, but also the most sensitive – they can be used to determine pregnancy even a few days before the start of the expected menstruation.

No matter how much you test, you still have to go for an ultrasound

– If the pregnancy test was carried out in accordance with all the rules and there are no internal reasons in the body that could affect its reliability, it does not matter what type of tests a woman uses: in 99% of cases, he can be trusted, says gynecologist Yulia Dolgo-Saburova. – In my many years of practice, there were only two or three cases when the tests were wrong.

However, the only irrefutable proof of pregnancy is considered to be only an ultrasound, which shows the fetal egg. And you can see it no earlier than a week after the delay.

If the pregnancy test is negative on the first or second day of delay, the specialist advises to repeat it after 3 days. If it is positive, this is a definite reason to contact a gynecologist. If the test remains negative, it should be carried out in another three days. And if it turns out to be negative for the third time, and menstruation does not begin, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Elena Rtishcheva

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• Pregnancy and childbirth

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When to do a pregnancy test? Maternity hospital Leleka | Blog

Pregnancy in the life of every woman is a significant event and most often unexpected.

But, even if the pregnancy came as a “surprise”, you must definitely confirm your suspicions or refute them. And you can do this with the help of an instant express pregnancy test, in a matter of seconds.

The most informative are digital and tablet tests (the strip is placed on a plastic device with two “windows”). However, strip tests remain the most popular, which means that the price of the test does not affect the result.

If there is any doubt after the test, you should make an appointment with a gynecologist.

How the pregnancy test works

Despite the whole range of pregnancy tests, the principle of action is the same for everyone – to determine the level of hCG (the first hormone of pregnancy) in the urine.

Pregnancy test procedure

Pregnancy test is carried out no earlier than the first day of missed period or approximately 2 weeks after the expected day of conception. Until the zygote attaches to the wall of the uterus, hCG is not released, which means that before ten days of pregnancy, it is not advisable to carry out a test or any other tests.

At the beginning of the test, you should carefully study the instructions for its use. Although the principle of operation is always identical: one part of the test (paper) is immersed in a container with urine, the other (with a chemical indicator) determines the result in the form of red / blue stripes, the symbols “+” / “-” or the words “yes” / “no” “. The result is evaluated after the time specified in the instructions (from 1 to 5 minutes).

Sometimes there are mini-pipettes for metered distribution of urine in the tests, which are very convenient to use.

But putting the test under the urinary stream is not recommended, since this method can technically disrupt the express screening and give an error.

When to take a pregnancy test

In order not to be confused by the numbers, dates and know exactly when it is appropriate to take a pregnancy test, you need to keep a calendar, control your well-being and know the basic process of how the egg is fertilized .

In every woman with a regular monthly cycle, the egg goes through several physiological stages of development, one of which is called “ovulation”.

Ovulation is the process where a mature egg is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube to join the sperm. If there is no sperm in the tube, the egg dies and menstruation occurs.

If during ovulation the spermatozoa were inside the woman’s genitals and conception still occurred, the fertilized egg (zygote) begins to “move” into the uterine cavity, with the help of the ciliated epithelium and the muscles of the fallopian tube itself.

This whole process takes about 1 week.

After a fertilized egg enters the uterine cavity, it attaches there, hCG rises in the blood, cells divide and further development of the fetus occurs.

Some rapid tests can determine the presence of the hormone as early as the fourth day, but it is still better to check after at least 1.5 weeks. Then the level of the hormone becomes high enough to confidently determine the condition of the woman.

When is a pregnancy test false?

Two strips on the test do not always cause delight in women, since pregnancy is not a cherished dream for all women, for most it is a surprise.

However, if you really do not plan a child and your test suddenly becomes “striped”, do not rush to panic, since a result error is not ruled out here.

False-positive or false-negative responses can range from a technical failure of a screening test to the identification of serious gynecological pathologies.

As you can see, pregnancy is not the most “terrible” thing that a test can determine, so we once again emphasize the importance of a gynecological examination.

Be that as it may, a positive test result is only the first step towards determining pregnancy. The second step is a visit to the gynecologist, who must confirm / refute the information received. Since there are situations when express screening gives a false positive answer.

Main reasons for a false positive result

A false positive result is a result that indicates the presence of pregnancy, in the absence of it.

Causes:

1. Incorrect express test.

Incorrect use of the test is the main cause of a false positive response. Therefore, you always need to read the instructions and follow the specified algorithm of actions. The evaluation of the result should be carried out strictly within the specified time range, from 3 to 10 minutes. After this period, a weak second strip may appear on the test (due to evaporation of urine), and the woman will perceive the result as a pregnancy.

2. Marriage.

A defective test is a very rare occurrence, but no one is immune from such a situation. Knowing this, women buy several tests from different brands and thus the problem is leveled.

3. Postpartum period.

Pregnancy test remains positive throughout pregnancy and 3-4 weeks after delivery. Therefore, if the test after the recent birth of a child shows a positive answer, and you are not planning children of the same age, you should not worry. However, you still need to check with your doctor about the absence of pregnancy.

4. Miscarriage, abortion.

After a miscarriage, miscarriage or medical abortion, the level of hCG cannot immediately decrease, it takes time. And, as a rule, this process takes from 2 to 4 weeks. Therefore, doing a pregnancy test during this period simply does not make sense, since the result will be false positive.

5. Preparation for IVF.

Some women dream of pregnancy so much that they take tests even when they don’t have to. As, for example, when preparing for IVF.

During this period, ovulation is stimulated with hormonal preparations, which also increase the level of hCG, although there is no pregnancy itself yet. Therefore, a pregnancy test done during this period can misinform a woman.

6. Oncopathology.

Sometimes a positive pregnancy test, in its absence, indicates serious pathological processes that increase the level of hCG. These are ovarian tumors, lung, brain, breast or stomach cancer.

Main causes of a false negative test

A false negative is a result that indicates no pregnancy, if any.

Causes:

1. Fertilization occurred before the start of menstruation, and the level of hCG did not have time to rise to the desired concentration.
2. There is a threat of miscarriage.
3. The woman is taking diuretics (diuretics).
4. Technical damage to the test.

If a pregnancy test shows a negative result, but the woman has specific pregnancy symptoms (morning sickness, dizziness, frequent urination, pain in the lower abdomen and chest), you need to see a doctor.

What to do if in doubt?

There are situations that make a woman doubt the correctness of a pregnancy test. For example, different tests give different results, spotting is present (similar to menstruation), screening gave a positive response, and there are no specific symptoms of pregnancy.

What to do in this case?

1. Do not look for the cause yourself, but go for a consultation with a gynecologist and approach the solution of the problem comprehensively.
2. Do not dispose of unwanted and unconfirmed pregnancies yourself.
3. Find the exact reason why the test showed a false positive result in the absence of pregnancy.

The Leleka maternity hospital is a modern medical institution where you will always receive specialized, highly qualified obstetric-gynecological and neonatological medical care at the level of world standards.

Only timely diagnosis and competent treatment will help preserve the reproductive health of a woman and there are no other options here.

🔍 popular pregnancy questions and answers

4 days of delay

Complain

26 April 2018 12:49 at I want a baby

Girls, maybe someone had . .. Today is 4 days of delay, there are no sensations of approaching menstruation. I did a test for 3 dz-negative, the breasts usually fill up 3-5 days before menstruation, the chest seems to have filled up yesterday, but not like usual, it’s not painful at all …. I don’t know what to think anymore, I can’t get to the doctor yet … with a sound mind, I understand that there is no point in hoping, PA was very rare in this cycle … What can give a delay ?! This has never happened before. Cycle usually 28-29, the maximum was 31

0 59231

4 day delay

Complain

July 19, 2016 00:37 at Personal journal

Girls! I am confused. My period was supposed to start 4 days ago. And the tests are negative. Only I can see the ghost of the second stripe. Before, it was always day to day. no crashes. This month, no protection was given. The stomach sips, but not like before the monsters, weaker. I came to the conclusion that I need to go to the doctor. But when do you think? Has anyone had a girl that she is pregnant and the tests at such times are negative?

0 9691

Delayed

Complain

November 2, 2018 03:31 am at Personal Journal

Good day everyone, two years ago I had a miscarriage and my cycle has always been normal this year they come like clockwork, but the fact is that this month we decided to try to conceive a baby again, and now there are 4 days of delay and the test is negative, the only thing that hurts my chest and this is a sign for me because last week I was precisely because of chest pain I thought about the fact that I was pregnant and went to buy a test and it turned out that I really was pregnant, since I never noticed PMS behind me, and now I don’t even know what to think. Has my cycle gone wrong again or is it just late ovulation? Has anyone had a similar experience? Tomorrow I’ll go and do a blood test for hCG, but I never have …

0 18297

4 days delay help!

Complain

May 13, 2013 11:32 am at I want a baby

today is already 4 days late the test was negative yesterday, today I didn’t do it, a week before menstruation the temperature rose 36.8-37.5 jumps, turned to the therapist. sent for analyses. Urine is normal, blood is also normal, with the exception of lymphocytes 52, and the norm is 25-30. He said that intestinal dysbacteriosis. but where is the connection between my delay and this dysbacteriosis!? I don’t understand anything, can anyone help? Can I still hope for B? or has it already passed?

0 15810

4 days delay

Complain

20 January 2018 08:33 at and from the first day of the delay, my breasts began to ache, and today my nipples became somehow sensitive and my breasts puffed up .. what’s wrong with me??? 3285