Period 8 days late cramping negative pregnancy test: No Period Negative Pregnancy Test: 6 Causes

No Period Negative Pregnancy Test: 6 Causes

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Pregnancy tests have come a long way. Historically, women didn’t have a reliable method of knowing if they were pregnant without going to the doctor. It wasn’t until the first at-home pregnancy test was invented in 1976 that women could confirm that they were expecting.

But despite technological advances that let women know they are pregnant, there’s still a lot of mystery about a woman’s menstrual cycle.

A woman may have a delayed or missed period, but still have a negative pregnancy test. In those situations, she has to wonder what’s going on. Is she pregnant? Is something wrong?

Here are a few reasons your period may be late, even if your pregnancy test is negative.

If you’re trying to get pregnant, there’s good news: You may still be pregnant. Sometimes, levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) early in pregnancy aren’t yet high enough for a home pregnancy test to detect.

One study found that home pregnancy tests only have to detect hCG levels above 25 milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL) to achieve the commonly advertised 99 percent accuracy rate. The writers of a 1991 study calculated that to detect 95 percent of pregnancies, a test would have to detect levels as low as 12.4 mIU/mL. But not all home pregnancy tests were consistently sensitive enough to do so.

A woman’s cycle can vary widely, so if you conceived later in your cycle, your hormone levels may not be high enough at the time of your missed period.

There can be as much as a 13-day difference in when ovulation occurs, meaning that you may think you are 4 weeks pregnant when you’re only two weeks along. Pregnancy bleeding, recent hormonal contraceptive use, or breastfeeding can all interfere with accurately knowing your dates, as well.

If you think you may be pregnant after a missed period but got a negative result on your pregnancy test, wait a few days. Then retest. If you continue to miss your period, be sure to talk to your doctor to rule out any complications.

It’s rare, but sometimes an ectopic pregnancy can show up as negative on a pregnancy test. This happens in less than 3 percent of ectopic pregnancies.

Seek medical attention if your pregnancy test is negative and you have these symptoms:

• severe pain low in your abdomen or on one side
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• bleeding or spotting
• nausea and vomiting

Learn more: Ectopic pregnancy »

Several outside factors can wreak havoc on your menstrual cycle. Stress, for example, can delay your period. Malnutrition can affect it, too. Your cycle can fluctuate if you drink too much caffeine or don’t eat enough food.

Sudden lifestyle changes, such as intense exercise or working the overnight shift on your job, can also cause your period to be irregular.

Breastfeeding can cause some irregularities in your cycle. Even after your baby arrives and your period returns, it may take some time before your cycle goes back to normal.

Breastfeeding is also unpredictable month to month. As babies grow, their feedings may change. For example, if your baby goes through a growth spurt and suddenly increases the frequency of night feedings, it may interfere with your cycle.

Read more: Why women get irregular periods while breastfeeding »

Medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid problems may cause women to have highly irregular cycles and missed periods. Some women may have very light periods, some may have very heavy periods, and some may skip periods altogether.

Menopause for women typically begins around age 50. In some women, however, it can start prematurely, before the age of 40. It’s different for everyone. If you have missed your period for over 90 days and are not pregnant, talk to your doctor about getting tested for any underlying medical conditions.

Birth control may cause irregularities in your cycle. Other types of medications may lead to a missed period, as well. For example, blood pressure drugs or allergy medications can throw off your cycle.

There may be many different reasons for a negative pregnancy test after a missed period. You may be dealing with an undiagnosed medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, or it could be a lifestyle issue, such as extreme stress. After getting a negative test result, you should wait a few days to a week before taking another test. If you test negative a second time and still haven’t had your period, make plans to see your doctor immediately.

Q:

Should you let your doctor know if you miss your period and aren’t pregnant?

Anonymous patient

A:

Missing one’s period can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which are temporary and some of which are more lasting. Women who haven’t had their period for more than three months should bring this to their doctor’s attention. More in-depth evaluation may be necessary, with the goal of looking for potential underlying medical conditions that may be causing this, as well as addressing the ability to get pregnant, if desired.

Euna Chi, MDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

No Period Negative Pregnancy Test: 6 Causes

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Pregnancy tests have come a long way. Historically, women didn’t have a reliable method of knowing if they were pregnant without going to the doctor. It wasn’t until the first at-home pregnancy test was invented in 1976 that women could confirm that they were expecting.

But despite technological advances that let women know they are pregnant, there’s still a lot of mystery about a woman’s menstrual cycle.

A woman may have a delayed or missed period, but still have a negative pregnancy test. In those situations, she has to wonder what’s going on. Is she pregnant? Is something wrong?

Here are a few reasons your period may be late, even if your pregnancy test is negative.

If you’re trying to get pregnant, there’s good news: You may still be pregnant. Sometimes, levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) early in pregnancy aren’t yet high enough for a home pregnancy test to detect.

One study found that home pregnancy tests only have to detect hCG levels above 25 milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL) to achieve the commonly advertised 99 percent accuracy rate. The writers of a 1991 study calculated that to detect 95 percent of pregnancies, a test would have to detect levels as low as 12.4 mIU/mL. But not all home pregnancy tests were consistently sensitive enough to do so.

A woman’s cycle can vary widely, so if you conceived later in your cycle, your hormone levels may not be high enough at the time of your missed period.

There can be as much as a 13-day difference in when ovulation occurs, meaning that you may think you are 4 weeks pregnant when you’re only two weeks along. Pregnancy bleeding, recent hormonal contraceptive use, or breastfeeding can all interfere with accurately knowing your dates, as well.

If you think you may be pregnant after a missed period but got a negative result on your pregnancy test, wait a few days. Then retest. If you continue to miss your period, be sure to talk to your doctor to rule out any complications.

It’s rare, but sometimes an ectopic pregnancy can show up as negative on a pregnancy test. This happens in less than 3 percent of ectopic pregnancies.

Seek medical attention if your pregnancy test is negative and you have these symptoms:

• severe pain low in your abdomen or on one side
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• bleeding or spotting
• nausea and vomiting

Learn more: Ectopic pregnancy »

Several outside factors can wreak havoc on your menstrual cycle. Stress, for example, can delay your period. Malnutrition can affect it, too. Your cycle can fluctuate if you drink too much caffeine or don’t eat enough food.

Sudden lifestyle changes, such as intense exercise or working the overnight shift on your job, can also cause your period to be irregular.

Breastfeeding can cause some irregularities in your cycle. Even after your baby arrives and your period returns, it may take some time before your cycle goes back to normal.

Breastfeeding is also unpredictable month to month. As babies grow, their feedings may change. For example, if your baby goes through a growth spurt and suddenly increases the frequency of night feedings, it may interfere with your cycle.

Read more: Why women get irregular periods while breastfeeding »

Medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid problems may cause women to have highly irregular cycles and missed periods. Some women may have very light periods, some may have very heavy periods, and some may skip periods altogether.

Menopause for women typically begins around age 50. In some women, however, it can start prematurely, before the age of 40. It’s different for everyone. If you have missed your period for over 90 days and are not pregnant, talk to your doctor about getting tested for any underlying medical conditions.

Birth control may cause irregularities in your cycle. Other types of medications may lead to a missed period, as well. For example, blood pressure drugs or allergy medications can throw off your cycle.

There may be many different reasons for a negative pregnancy test after a missed period. You may be dealing with an undiagnosed medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, or it could be a lifestyle issue, such as extreme stress. After getting a negative test result, you should wait a few days to a week before taking another test. If you test negative a second time and still haven’t had your period, make plans to see your doctor immediately.

Q:

Should you let your doctor know if you miss your period and aren’t pregnant?

Anonymous patient

A:

Missing one’s period can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which are temporary and some of which are more lasting. Women who haven’t had their period for more than three months should bring this to their doctor’s attention. More in-depth evaluation may be necessary, with the goal of looking for potential underlying medical conditions that may be causing this, as well as addressing the ability to get pregnant, if desired.

Euna Chi, MDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

No Period Negative Pregnancy Test: 6 Causes

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Pregnancy tests have come a long way. Historically, women didn’t have a reliable method of knowing if they were pregnant without going to the doctor. It wasn’t until the first at-home pregnancy test was invented in 1976 that women could confirm that they were expecting.

But despite technological advances that let women know they are pregnant, there’s still a lot of mystery about a woman’s menstrual cycle.

A woman may have a delayed or missed period, but still have a negative pregnancy test. In those situations, she has to wonder what’s going on. Is she pregnant? Is something wrong?

Here are a few reasons your period may be late, even if your pregnancy test is negative.

If you’re trying to get pregnant, there’s good news: You may still be pregnant. Sometimes, levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) early in pregnancy aren’t yet high enough for a home pregnancy test to detect.

One study found that home pregnancy tests only have to detect hCG levels above 25 milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL) to achieve the commonly advertised 99 percent accuracy rate. The writers of a 1991 study calculated that to detect 95 percent of pregnancies, a test would have to detect levels as low as 12.4 mIU/mL. But not all home pregnancy tests were consistently sensitive enough to do so.

A woman’s cycle can vary widely, so if you conceived later in your cycle, your hormone levels may not be high enough at the time of your missed period.

There can be as much as a 13-day difference in when ovulation occurs, meaning that you may think you are 4 weeks pregnant when you’re only two weeks along. Pregnancy bleeding, recent hormonal contraceptive use, or breastfeeding can all interfere with accurately knowing your dates, as well.

If you think you may be pregnant after a missed period but got a negative result on your pregnancy test, wait a few days. Then retest. If you continue to miss your period, be sure to talk to your doctor to rule out any complications.

It’s rare, but sometimes an ectopic pregnancy can show up as negative on a pregnancy test. This happens in less than 3 percent of ectopic pregnancies.

Seek medical attention if your pregnancy test is negative and you have these symptoms:

• severe pain low in your abdomen or on one side
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• bleeding or spotting
• nausea and vomiting

Learn more: Ectopic pregnancy »

Several outside factors can wreak havoc on your menstrual cycle. Stress, for example, can delay your period. Malnutrition can affect it, too. Your cycle can fluctuate if you drink too much caffeine or don’t eat enough food.

Sudden lifestyle changes, such as intense exercise or working the overnight shift on your job, can also cause your period to be irregular.

Breastfeeding can cause some irregularities in your cycle. Even after your baby arrives and your period returns, it may take some time before your cycle goes back to normal.

Breastfeeding is also unpredictable month to month. As babies grow, their feedings may change. For example, if your baby goes through a growth spurt and suddenly increases the frequency of night feedings, it may interfere with your cycle.

Read more: Why women get irregular periods while breastfeeding »

Medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid problems may cause women to have highly irregular cycles and missed periods. Some women may have very light periods, some may have very heavy periods, and some may skip periods altogether.

Menopause for women typically begins around age 50. In some women, however, it can start prematurely, before the age of 40. It’s different for everyone. If you have missed your period for over 90 days and are not pregnant, talk to your doctor about getting tested for any underlying medical conditions.

Birth control may cause irregularities in your cycle. Other types of medications may lead to a missed period, as well. For example, blood pressure drugs or allergy medications can throw off your cycle.

There may be many different reasons for a negative pregnancy test after a missed period. You may be dealing with an undiagnosed medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, or it could be a lifestyle issue, such as extreme stress. After getting a negative test result, you should wait a few days to a week before taking another test. If you test negative a second time and still haven’t had your period, make plans to see your doctor immediately.

Q:

Should you let your doctor know if you miss your period and aren’t pregnant?

Anonymous patient

A:

Missing one’s period can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which are temporary and some of which are more lasting. Women who haven’t had their period for more than three months should bring this to their doctor’s attention. More in-depth evaluation may be necessary, with the goal of looking for potential underlying medical conditions that may be causing this, as well as addressing the ability to get pregnant, if desired.

Euna Chi, MDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

No Period Negative Pregnancy Test: 6 Causes

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Pregnancy tests have come a long way. Historically, women didn’t have a reliable method of knowing if they were pregnant without going to the doctor. It wasn’t until the first at-home pregnancy test was invented in 1976 that women could confirm that they were expecting.

But despite technological advances that let women know they are pregnant, there’s still a lot of mystery about a woman’s menstrual cycle.

A woman may have a delayed or missed period, but still have a negative pregnancy test. In those situations, she has to wonder what’s going on. Is she pregnant? Is something wrong?

Here are a few reasons your period may be late, even if your pregnancy test is negative.

If you’re trying to get pregnant, there’s good news: You may still be pregnant. Sometimes, levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) early in pregnancy aren’t yet high enough for a home pregnancy test to detect.

One study found that home pregnancy tests only have to detect hCG levels above 25 milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL) to achieve the commonly advertised 99 percent accuracy rate. The writers of a 1991 study calculated that to detect 95 percent of pregnancies, a test would have to detect levels as low as 12.4 mIU/mL. But not all home pregnancy tests were consistently sensitive enough to do so.

A woman’s cycle can vary widely, so if you conceived later in your cycle, your hormone levels may not be high enough at the time of your missed period.

There can be as much as a 13-day difference in when ovulation occurs, meaning that you may think you are 4 weeks pregnant when you’re only two weeks along. Pregnancy bleeding, recent hormonal contraceptive use, or breastfeeding can all interfere with accurately knowing your dates, as well.

If you think you may be pregnant after a missed period but got a negative result on your pregnancy test, wait a few days. Then retest. If you continue to miss your period, be sure to talk to your doctor to rule out any complications.

It’s rare, but sometimes an ectopic pregnancy can show up as negative on a pregnancy test. This happens in less than 3 percent of ectopic pregnancies.

Seek medical attention if your pregnancy test is negative and you have these symptoms:

• severe pain low in your abdomen or on one side
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• bleeding or spotting
• nausea and vomiting

Learn more: Ectopic pregnancy »

Several outside factors can wreak havoc on your menstrual cycle. Stress, for example, can delay your period. Malnutrition can affect it, too. Your cycle can fluctuate if you drink too much caffeine or don’t eat enough food.

Sudden lifestyle changes, such as intense exercise or working the overnight shift on your job, can also cause your period to be irregular.

Breastfeeding can cause some irregularities in your cycle. Even after your baby arrives and your period returns, it may take some time before your cycle goes back to normal.

Breastfeeding is also unpredictable month to month. As babies grow, their feedings may change. For example, if your baby goes through a growth spurt and suddenly increases the frequency of night feedings, it may interfere with your cycle.

Read more: Why women get irregular periods while breastfeeding »

Medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid problems may cause women to have highly irregular cycles and missed periods. Some women may have very light periods, some may have very heavy periods, and some may skip periods altogether.

Menopause for women typically begins around age 50. In some women, however, it can start prematurely, before the age of 40. It’s different for everyone. If you have missed your period for over 90 days and are not pregnant, talk to your doctor about getting tested for any underlying medical conditions.

Birth control may cause irregularities in your cycle. Other types of medications may lead to a missed period, as well. For example, blood pressure drugs or allergy medications can throw off your cycle.

There may be many different reasons for a negative pregnancy test after a missed period. You may be dealing with an undiagnosed medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, or it could be a lifestyle issue, such as extreme stress. After getting a negative test result, you should wait a few days to a week before taking another test. If you test negative a second time and still haven’t had your period, make plans to see your doctor immediately.

Q:

Should you let your doctor know if you miss your period and aren’t pregnant?

Anonymous patient

A:

Missing one’s period can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which are temporary and some of which are more lasting. Women who haven’t had their period for more than three months should bring this to their doctor’s attention. More in-depth evaluation may be necessary, with the goal of looking for potential underlying medical conditions that may be causing this, as well as addressing the ability to get pregnant, if desired.

Euna Chi, MDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Missed Period With Negative Pregnancy Test: 9 Causes

In all likelihood, you’ve got your menstrual cycle down to a science. So when you miss your period, it can immediately trigger the pressing question “Am I pregnant?”

Maybe you’re trying to conceive, so you start to get your hopes up. Or maybe parenthood part of your plans, and you’re struck with feelings of impending doom.

Whatever the case, you grab a pregnancy test at the drugstore, take it, and wait nervously for those two blue lines to show up. But the test comes out negative… and you still haven’t gotten your period. What the heck is going on? Is everything OK?

Depending on when you took the test, you could get a false negative result. Home pregnancy tests aren’t always perfectly accurate — especially if you take them too soon after your missed period. Different brands of tests have different guidelines about timing.

Even if the test you bought claims to be accurate on the first day of a missed period, you’re better off waiting at least one more day. Your body needs to have a high enough level of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for the test to detect.

Early in pregnancy, HCG levels double every few days. Since your ovulation date could be slightly different each month, it may take a week or two after conception to get a reliable pregnancy test result.

Wait several days, and if you still don’t get your period, take the test again. It’s best to take a pregnancy test first thing in the morning, before your urine has been diluted with fluids from food and water.

If the second or third test is negative, it’s time to look at other potential causes of your missed period. Amenorrhea (the scientific term for lack of menstruation) can happen for many reasons, and you may need to see a healthcare provider to get things back on track.

Here are eight possible reasons for a missed period and a negative pregnancy test.

If you gain or lose a significant amount of weight in a short time, it can mess with your hormones — and therefore your menstrual cycle. Your periods might become irregular or stop altogether.

People with eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia sometimes lose their periods as a result of these conditions.

If you think you or someone you know may have an eating disorder, contact the NEDA Helpline at 1(800) 931-2237, or instant message a representative through NEDA’s helpline chat.

High stress levels can also wreak havoc on your hormones. Try to get some rest, eat well, and remove as many anxiety triggers as you can.

You might also consider talking to a mental health professional to learn how to manage your stress in a productive way.

Have you been super sick recently with the flu, mono, or another condition that put you in bed watching movies for several days straight? It could potentially affect your menstrual cycle.

As long as you get back to your normal routine, your regular period should return within a month or so.

Your daily workout routine might help you with those #BootyGains, but be careful not to overdo it.

Excessive exercise can cause your metabolism to slow down as your body tries to conserve energy, and in some cases, your period may become irregular or stop altogether. This could also happen if you’re not eating enough to balance the daily calorie burn.

Some medications, like birth control, can cause changes in your cycle and cause your periods to lighten or stop over the course of several months.

If you recently started a new antidepressant, contraceptive, or any type of hormone replacement, talk with your doctor about why your period is MIA and whether it’s something to worry about.

Prolactin, the primary hormone that supports breast milk production, also stops menstruation.

New moms who are breastfeeding a child may have light periods or no periods at all. (Kind of a win, right?)

Some health conditions can mess with your menstrual cycle by changing the levels of common fertility hormones in your body.

If you think you might have polycystic ovary syndrome or another pelvic condition, talk to your doctor for further insight on diagnosis and treatment.

In rare cases, a fertilized egg can implant itself outside the uterus, causing something called an ectopic pregnancy that can’t be detected by a normal pregnancy test.

This requires medical attention ASAP, so look out for other symptoms such as:

• sudden, sharp abdominal pain
• abnormal bleeding
• cramping in your lower back and pelvic area

If you notice these symptoms, call your doctor right away.

No period but still experiencing brownish discharge or light bleeding during odd times in your cycle? Several of the same issues we just covered could be causing this — birth control, pelvic conditions, weight changes, or stress.

Spotting can also happen due to ovulation, sexually transmitted infections, or (in rare cases) benign or malignant tissue growths. If the spotting is accompanied by fever, yellow or foul-smelling discharge, or acute pain, see your doctor.

Spotting could also mean you’re entering perimenopause, the stage when your body begins the transition to menopause. For most women, this happens between the mid-30s and 40s.

If you’ve already gone through menopause and are experiencing spotting, you should talk to your doctor about it.

When your hormones get out of balance, your cycle can change, and it may not get back to normal until you sort out the cause.

If you’re dealing with a temporary issue like stress or illness, or something prescribed by a doctor, like medication or birth control, there’s no need to be concerned.

But if you haven’t had a period in 3 months or more, or if your period happens less often than every 35 days, you should consult your healthcare provider.

It’s also a good idea to call your doctor if your period changes significantly — say, your bleeding gets a lot heavier or your cramps get way worse. In most cases, lifestyle changes or medication adjustments can help get your cycle back on track.

You are the expert on your own body, so it’s important to pay attention to your periods and bleeding patterns. During your annual OB/GYN visit (which you should definitely be scheduling, by the way!), talk with your doctor about any irregularities.

A consistent period is a good measure of overall health, so it’s worth monitoring your cycle for subtle changes from month to month.

But if you missed your period and the pregnancy test reads negative, and your menstrual cycle soon gets back to normal, you’re fine to just keep doing your thing.

My period’s late but the pregnancy test is showing negative. What’s going on?

by

Polly Logan-Banks

|

Medically reviewed

by
Karoline Pahl, GP
|

When your period is late with no sign of a positive pregnancy test, it can be upsetting and confusing. If your normally regular periods have suddenly become irregular, or stopped, think about whether anything has changed in your lifestyle.

Nine reasons you might miss your period

1. Pregnancy

It is possible to get a false negative on a pregnancy test (where the test says you’re not pregnant even though you are), particularly if you test too early, or don’t follow the instructions exactly. If you’re in any doubt about the results of your pregnancy test, try waiting a few days and testing again.

2. Stress

Severe stress can affect your hormones, which could cause changes to your menstrual cycle, or even stop your periods altogether. Learn more about how stress affects your menstrual cycle, and get tips on what to do about it.

3. Being overweight or obese

Being overweight (with a BMI of 25 or more) or obese (with a BMI of 30 or more) can also affect your hormone balance and menstrual cycle. If you’re finding it difficult to manage your weight, and it’s affecting your periods, your GP may be able to refer you to a dietitian or other local services, who’ll help you lose the weight safely.

4. Sudden weight loss

Being underweight, or losing weight very quickly, can mean that you’re not getting enough calories for a healthy menstrual cycle. If you have a body mass index (BMI) under 18.5, or are suffering from an eating disorder such as anorexia, speak to your GP. She may refer you to a specialist who can help you get back to a healthy weight, which should get your periods back to normal, too.

5. Extreme exercise

Extreme exercising puts your body under stress and reduces your levels of body fat, which can both affect your periods. If you’ve recently been doing lots of strenuous exercise, try stopping for a while to see if your periods return.

6. The contraceptive pill

If you’re taking the pill, it’s perfectly normal for you to have the occasional missed period. Provided your period returns the next time it’s due, there’s no need to worry.

Other types of contraception, such as the progestogen-only pill (mini pill), contraceptive injection and intrauterine system (IUS) can stop your periods altogether. However, your periods should return as soon as you stop using the mini pill or IUS, and within a year of the injection wearing off.

7. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that can prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg each month. Symptoms of PCOS include:

• irregular periods, or no periods
• difficulty getting pregnant
• extra hair growth on your face, chest, back, bottom or tummy
• thinning hair on your head
• unexplained weight gain
• oily skin or acne

Learn more about PCOS, including how it’s treated.

8. Other health conditions

If you have a long-term health condition, such as thyroid problems, diabetes or coeliac disease, this can also affect your menstrual cycle. Some types of medication, such as antidepressants and epilepsy medication, can also affect your hormones. So if you have any kind of health problem, it’s worth speaking to your GP to see if this could be affecting your periods.

9. The menopause

The menopause is when a woman stops having periods naturally, as part of the ageing process. It usually happens after the age of 45, and is often accompanied by symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and difficulty sleeping.

If you are going through the menopause, your periods won’t return, and you won’t be able to get pregnant naturally. However, it’s still worth seeing your GP, who can confirm the menopause and prescribe medication to help with any symptoms you may be experiencing. She can also give you information about other options for having a child, such as adoption or surrogacy.

What to do if your periods have stopped

If you miss more than three periods in a row, and pregnancy tests are negative, see your GP. She’ll ask you some questions about your medical history, and may arrange for you to have some tests, such as a blood test, to find out exactly what’s causing your missed periods. If necessary, she’ll refer you to a specialist who’ll make sure that you get the care you need.

More information:

• Learn more about how your menstrual cycle works.
• Find out if fertility drugs could restart your periods.
• Think you might be pregnant? Check out the top 10 signs of pregnancy.

Polly Logan-Banks

Polly Logan-Banks is an experienced editor with a keen interest in producing evidence-based content. Polly is passionate about ensuring that every child gets the best start in life.

The first signs of pregnancy | Kotex®

Although pregnancy tests and ultrasound are the only ways to accurately determine pregnancy, there are a number of signs and symptoms to watch out for. The first signs of pregnancy include not only the absence of a period, but may also include fatigue, sensitivity to smells, and morning sickness. It is worth remembering that these are POSSIBLE signs of pregnancy, they can appear in both pregnant and non-pregnant women and are associated with ovulation and menstruation.

When do symptoms appear?

Oddly enough, the first week of pregnancy is determined by the date of the last menstruation.

Your last period counts as the first week of pregnancy, even if you haven’t actually been pregnant yet. The estimated due date is calculated from the first day of your last period.

Taking a home pregnancy test is the cheapest and easiest way to find out if you are pregnant. Remember that home pregnancy tests measure the level of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine, and there is usually less of it in the urine than in the blood.

The test gives the most accurate results from the moment of missed menstruation.

The menstrual cycle is considered delayed if the menstruation did not begin within 5 or more days after the day of their expected start.

However, it is worth remembering that even the day after the expected delay, more than a third of women have such home tests come back negative, and if you test too early, the result can be negative, even if you are already pregnant. You can do another test at home after a couple of days to get a more accurate result.

Signs and symptoms of pregnancy

If you are pregnant for the first time, then you may not notice these first signs of pregnancy or confuse them with symptoms of impending menstruation.

It is not worth spending long hours looking for answers on the forums in experiences, in any case, your research will not change what has already happened or has not happened, but mood and sleep can thoroughly spoil.

Slight lower abdominal pain and spotting

Absence of menstruation

Fatigue

Nausea

Breast swelling

Frequent urination

Constipation

Vertigo on motion

Mood swings

Temperature changes

High blood pressure

Pain and slight bleeding

From weeks 1 to 4, changes in a woman’s body are still happening at the cellular level. A fertilized egg creates a group of cells filled with fluid, which is called a blastocyst, which, after pregnancy, will have to turn into organs and body parts of the fetus.

Approximately 10-14 days after conception (4 weeks), the blastocyst attaches itself to the endometrium lining the uterine wall. This process can cause some bleeding, which can be confused with light menstruation.

Here are some signs of such bleeding:

• color can be red, pink or brown

• bleeding: usually comparable to normal menstruation, usually lighter

• painful sensations

• usually lasts about three days

No period

After the blastocyst attaches to the walls of the uterus, the body begins to produce a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, which tells the body that it is time to stop releasing eggs from the ovaries every month. Most often, after conception, menstruation disappears at 4 weeks of pregnancy.

If you’re late, it’s worth taking a home pregnancy test, especially if you have irregular periods.

Fatigue

Fatigue may appear at any time during pregnancy. During pregnancy, progesterone levels rise, and this hormone can make you feel sleepy. If you feel tired, then make sure you get enough sleep.

Morning sickness and vomiting

Nausea and morning vomiting usually develop between 4 and 6 weeks of gestation. In fact, such symptoms can occur not only in the morning, but in general at any time of the day. This symptom is typical for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you often feel sick, then you need to make sure that you drink enough water to avoid dehydration.

Breast swelling and tenderness

Breast changes may begin at 4-6 weeks of gestation. They are also associated with changes in hormone levels. Most often, the breast swells somewhat and becomes more sensitive than usual. Usually these symptoms disappear in the future, when the body gets used to the changed hormonal background.

Frequent urination

During pregnancy, blood flow increases and this causes the kidneys to process more fluid than usual, which can cause frequent urination even in the early stages of pregnancy.

Constipation and bloating

This symptom is similar to the typical menstrual symptom and is also caused by hormonal changes, which can slow down the digestive processes, which causes bloating and constipation.

High blood pressure and dizziness during pregnancy

Most often in the early stages of pregnancy in women, blood pressure drops, which can cause a feeling of dizziness due to vasodilation of the brain. High blood pressure in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy usually means that there are some health problems that occur along with pregnancy. Such a symptom may have been present unnoticed prior to pregnancy, or it may have developed during the process. In such cases, it is especially important to monitor your blood pressure and consult your doctor.

Mood swings

Since estrogen and progesterone levels are elevated during pregnancy, this can cause changes in your emotional background and you may become more sensitive than usual. They can cause such strong feelings as depression, irritability, euphoria and anxiety.

Increase in basal body temperature

Basal body temperature is the lowest body temperature it reaches during rest or sleep. It is determined by measuring the temperature in the early morning by inserting a thermometer into the rectum. Normal body temperature may also rise, especially during heat or physical activity. It is important to consume enough liquid in such cases. Make sure you don’t get too hot to sleep.

Causes of delayed menstruation with a negative pregnancy test – Dobrobut Clinic

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Medical Library Dobrobut

Publication date: 2020-02-20

Possible causes of missed periods

Problems with the menstrual cycle can occur in women at any age. Why is there a delay in menstruation with a negative pregnancy test? Each gynecologist will answer that this indicates some kind of disturbance in the functioning of the body, and this may be associated not only with the reproductive system.

Possible causes of delayed menstruation

During normal functioning of the body, a woman’s menstrual cycle lasts 21-30 days. How many days can be a delay in menstruation is normal? Gynecologists say that a week of delay in the absence of pregnancy is a reason for a full examination. Such a failure in the menstrual cycle does not pose a threat to health, although in the first days of the delay the woman will feel discomfort. Many note that even in the absence of pregnancy, they experience discomfort in the mammary glands and abdomen. Why does the chest hurt and the lower abdomen hurts against the background of the absence of pregnancy and a short delay in menstruation? Only a doctor can give a competent and informative answer to this question, since pain can be associated with the growth of a benign tumor, and with problems in the hormonal system.

In general, doctors list possible causes of missed periods in a separate list:

• weight disorder – obesity of 2-3 severity, underweight;
• strict diet;
• emotional “outbursts”, stressful situations;
• inflammatory processes in the internal genital organs;
• infectious diseases of an acute or chronic nature.

In addition, a woman’s body can react with a malfunction in the menstrual cycle to a sharp change in climate, long-term use of hormonal contraceptives. Many women are interested in whether there may be a failure of menstruation after taking antibiotics – yes, this is quite likely. After all, any intervention in the work of the body (even if it is carried out with good intentions) provokes stress, the functionality of organs and systems is disturbed. Of course, if antibiotics lasted 5-7 days, then this cannot be the reason for the delay in menstruation, but with a long course of therapy (15-20 days) it is quite possible.

Delay due to hormonal disorders

The main reason for delayed menstruation in the absence of pregnancy is hormonal disorders. And they can appear in the background:

• started taking hormonal contraceptives;
• abrupt withdrawal of oral contraceptives;
• endometriosis;
• progressive uterine fibroids;
• the presence of malignant neoplasms.

Hormonal delay in the monthly cycle in adolescents is normal and does not require any treatment. The fact is that in adolescence, the menstrual cycle is just beginning to stabilize, at the same time the body grows and the secretion of hormones increases. These changes lead to a delay in menstruation.

How to solve the problem

Many women are interested in how to induce menstruation with a delay. There are indeed such specific means, but it is strictly forbidden to take them on your own! Firstly, the woman herself will never find out the true reason for the delay in menstruation – this is the work of a gynecologist. Secondly, you need to know the dosage of drugs so as not to provoke uterine bleeding. Thirdly, even if a pregnancy test shows a negative result, this does not mean a 100% absence of conception.

What should I do if my period is too late? You need to seek qualified medical help, undergo an examination, and only after that take some therapeutic measures. As part of the diagnosis, gynecologists prescribe to patients not only laboratory tests of blood and smears from the vagina / cervical canal, but also an instrumental study. An ultrasound examination will be informative enough – the doctor will be able to see either a pregnancy that does not appear on the tests, or a tumor in the uterine cavity. A blood test for hormone levels will help determine the exact cause of menstrual irregularities.

If your period is delayed by more than a week, then this is cause for concern. Unfortunately, many women do not pay attention to such violations and do not visit a gynecologist, and this can lead to serious consequences. For example, a tumor in the uterus of a benign or malignant nature progresses for a long time asymptomatically, a violation of the menstrual cycle may be the only sign of pathology.

Any questions about the delay in menstruation, as well as ways to solve the problem, can be discussed with a gynecologist. Contacts of experienced, practicing specialists can be found on our website https://www.dobrobut.com/.

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Early symptoms of pregnancy – blog of the medical center ON Clinic

The only true solution in detecting pregnancy at home is a test. But certain signs that are important to know can also indicate conception.

Signs of pregnancy before missed period

Conception causes many changes in a woman’s body, stimulates the restructuring of her body systems and affects the appearance of early signs of pregnancy. First symptoms of pregnancy before missed period:

• blood stain on underwear. It usually occurs due to implantation bleeding: the attachment of the embryo to the uterus occurs 6-12 days after conception, during this period some women experience spastic pain in the abdomen;
• morning sickness is a characteristic symptom of pregnancy. As a rule, nausea occurs between the second and eighth weeks after conception, and may be accompanied by vomiting. Gagging occurs in the first trimester, but some women experience nausea throughout the entire period of childbearing;
• breast changes may occur 1-2 weeks after conception. The mammary glands become swollen and tender, there is a tingling sensation around the nipples due to increased blood flow;
• fatigue is a typical symptom of pregnancy. In the first week after conception, many women complain of a feeling of weakness.

The earliest signs of pregnancy include psycho-emotional changes associated with increased irritability, fatigue, tearfulness.

Pregnancy by week

During 40 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus makes a rapid development from one cell to a newborn child, so many changes occur in a woman’s body every day. Signs and features of the course of pregnancy by weeks:

A woman can also keep a pregnancy calendar in which she will mark her well-being every day or several times a week. Such a calendar can be useful during subsequent visits to the gynecologist, and will also remain a memory of an important period in a woman’s life.

Do all women experience early pregnancy symptoms?

Every woman is unique in her nature. Therefore, it is impossible to determine the same symptoms for everyone, everything passes quite individually. And sometimes it happens that in the same woman one pregnancy is significantly different from the other.

In addition, early symptoms are very often similar to the period before and after menstruation. Some signs of pregnancy can be mistaken for menstruation. Thus, the girl may not realize that she is in a position.

the first signs of pregnancy

It is worth noting that you cannot refer only to the signs, because they can indicate completely different reasons. Sometimes a pregnancy test can give an erroneous result, so an ultrasound of the pelvic organs will show the most accurate answer.

Pregnancy heartburn

Pregnancy heartburn is caused by uterine pressure on the stomach and relaxation of the esophagogastric sphincter by sex hormones. Heartburn tends to get worse at night.

Heartburn appears in the 2nd or 3rd trimester. To get rid of heartburn during pregnancy, you should:

• eat small meals;
• have dinner no later than 2 hours before bedtime;
• give up carbonated drinks;
• to sleep with a raised headboard.

Your doctor may also prescribe tablets for heartburn. If the cause of heartburn is gastritis or reflux disease, you should consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist and undergo treatment.

Discharge during pregnancy

Normal discharge from the genital tract during pregnancy is clear or slightly yellowish. Green, cheesy, and foul-smelling discharge during pregnancy can be a sign of a genital tract infection.

The appearance of bloody or brown discharge during pregnancy may be a sign of termination of pregnancy (miscarriage). Bleeding is also a symptom of abruption and rupture of the placenta, so if bleeding occurs, you should immediately seek medical help.

Weight gain during pregnancy

Weight gain during pregnancy is a natural process and is normally 11.5-18 kg. The weight of a woman increases due to the growth of the fetus, an increase in the uterus and mammary glands, and the formation of the placenta. There is also fluid retention and an increase in circulating blood volume. The recommended rate of weight gain for women is 400 grams per week. The norm of weight gain for overweight women is 230-270 grams, since excessive intake of nutrients to the fetus can provoke the development of congenital diabetes mellitus. It is impossible to reduce weight without harm to the health of the child, however, adhering to a balanced diet, you can lose weight during pregnancy in volumes (arms, hips).

Temperature during pregnancy

An increase in body temperature during pregnancy is usually a sign of a viral or bacterial disease. Infectious diseases can adversely affect the bearing of the fetus, so a pregnant woman should immediately consult a doctor if a fever occurs.

In the first trimester, viral diseases are dangerous for the formation of fetal malformations. Fever in the second half of pregnancy can provoke a premature onset of labor. An increase in basal temperature during pregnancy can also be a sign of an inflammatory process in the pelvis and cuts off visits to the gynecologist.

“Menstrual” cramps during pregnancy

After fertilization, the egg attaches to the endometrium of the uterus. This can cause some bleeding and cramping in the lower abdomen, one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Bleeding caused by conception is called implantation bleeding, since at this time the egg is implanted to the uterine mucosa. The attachment period takes place in the first 6-12 days after conception. Implantation bleeding can be confused with menstruation, but the cramps are less pronounced.

In addition to blood, a woman may notice profuse vaginal discharge (similar to white milk clots) caused by fetal development at the cellular level and thickening of the vaginal walls, as well as increased cell growth.

White discharge during pregnancy can accompany a girl throughout pregnancy, they are harmless and do not require any treatment. But if an unpleasant odor, burning and itching appear in the vagina, you need to contact a gynecologist who will check for the presence of a bacterial (colpitis, trichomoniasis, vaginosis) or fungal infection (for example, candidiasis). Untimely treatment of gynecological diseases threatens the life and health of both the woman and her fetus.

Breast changes in early pregnancy

Breast changes during pregnancy appear first of all due to serious changes and changes in the hormonal background after conception. The body prepares for lactation, the structure of breast tissues changes, and after a few weeks, tingling and pain in the mammary glands can be observed.

A particular change in breast size is not immediately noticeable: the mammary glands begin to swell, become heavier, fuller, the areola area may darken. The sensitivity of the nipples may increase, as a result of which even a slight touch will cause discomfort.

There are other reasons that affect changes in the mammary glands: from weight gain to the phase of the menstrual cycle. But during pregnancy, the first few months of discomfort in the chest can be regular; but later the pain and tenderness should subside.

Fatigue during pregnancy

Due to changes in the level of progesterone, a pregnant woman may feel very tired, which is normal, because already in the first weeks after fertilization, the body spends a lot of energy and resources not restructuring and changing.

Other factors also contribute to constant fatigue: increased blood circulation, increased production of blood, low sugar in the body, lowering blood pressure, as well as lack of sleep due to other unpleasant symptoms of pregnancy (nausea, back pain, frequent urination, etc. .).

An exhausted state can change into a significant burst of energy. These two opposite sensations can regularly replace each other, depending on changes in the hormonal background.

If fatigue is severe, brings a lot of trouble and interferes with a full life, you can pay attention to the diet: eat as many foods rich in protein and iron as possible – this will help reduce fatigue.

Nausea due to pregnancy

Nausea is the most common symptom of pregnancy and most often occurs between the fourth and sixth weeks until the beginning of the second trimester (but in some cases it manifests itself throughout the period of childbearing).

The cause of nausea during pregnancy is an increase in the hormone HCG (hCG), produced by the tissue of the fetal egg after implantation of the embryo. Chorionic gonadotropin provokes nausea in two ways: by sending signals through the digestive system and to the brain.

Also during pregnancy, nausea occurs due to aversion to certain dishes: the very thought of a product that you do not like can lead to an attack of vomiting.

Despite the urge to vomit, it is important for a pregnant girl to receive nutrients and vitamins. It is necessary to consult with your doctor and choose a diet that will take into account individual preferences and intolerance to certain products. Healthy nutrition is one of the foundations for the proper development of a child.

Missed period during pregnancy

The most obvious symptom of pregnancy is a missed period, but not all delays indicate conception. The cause of menstrual irregularities can be hormonal failure or diseases associated with the reproductive system (ovarian dysfunction, cervical pathology), sudden weight gain or loss.

In addition, some women experience bleeding during pregnancy that may be confused with menstruation. In order to distinguish the norm from the pathology, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist.

Frequent urination due to pregnancy

Frequent urination during pregnancy appears in the middle of the first trimester. A woman may feel a constant need to empty her bladder even when it is not full, resulting in constant trips to the toilet and involuntary release of small amounts of urine during laughing, coughing, sneezing, etc.

The main cause of frequent urination in the second and the third trimester is an increased pressure of the uterus on the bladder, which is not a pathology. However, it is important to be observed by a gynecologist and inform him of changes in the body, since a regular desire to go to the toilet can be caused by infections of the female genital organs. Also, changes in the pelvis and a decrease in immunity in pregnant women increase the risk of developing urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis.

To avoid the constant urge to empty your bladder, try to reduce your intake of coffee, tea and other diuretic drinks. It is not worth reducing the amount of water you drink, because it is important for the health of a woman and the normal development of a child.

It is also worth paying attention to the sensations during urination. You should immediately contact a female urologist if the following symptoms appear:

• burning in the vagina;
• pain and discomfort when going to the toilet;
• blood in urine.

Urine in small portions, change in its color, the appearance of a strong odor and pain in the lower abdomen or lower back may indicate cystitis, a complication of which may be an infectious inflammation of the kidneys.

Constipation during pregnancy

Pregnancy is often accompanied by problems with defecation, which in the first trimester is caused by a change in the level of progesterone in the body. In the second and third trimesters, the growing uterus compresses the large intestine, causing congestion and a decrease in peristalsis (the intestine pushes food more slowly due to the relaxed muscles of its walls). Also, constipation may appear in connection with the use of vitamin complexes and iron.

Eat fiber-rich foods and plenty of water to help with bowel movements. It is important to eat often (3-5 times a day) and in small portions, as well as to exercise. Charging directly affects the mechanical processing of food.

Mood swings in pregnant women

In the first trimester, due to the restructuring of the body, the woman’s body experiences severe stress. The nervous system becomes more vulnerable, and any unpleasant event is perceived stronger and harder than before pregnancy.

Nervousness and emotional lability occur in almost every pregnant woman. It is important to try to avoid stressful situations, take time to rest, relax physically and emotionally. In the early stages of pregnancy, the nervous system of the baby is formed. It is important that as few factors as possible have a negative impact on its development.

Headaches and backaches due to pregnancy

Pregnant girls may experience headaches and backaches. Back pain, most often in the lower back, is affected by a greater load on the kidneys: in the first trimester, the body removes toxins more thoroughly, the kidneys work more actively, which can lead to discomfort.

The severity of pain during pregnancy is influenced by various factors: a large amount of estrogen, physiological depression, sleep disturbances, the effect of estrogen on platelets, the appearance of thrombosis.

Dizziness and fainting in pregnancy

Pregnancy is often accompanied by a decrease in blood pressure. Girls exposed to significant pressure drops as a result of cardiovascular disease often feel dizzy and may faint.

Signs of a missed pregnancy

A missed pregnancy is one in which the fetus dies in the womb. Signs of a missed pregnancy are the absence of fetal movements (after 20 weeks of pregnancy) and pain in the lower abdomen.

Missed pregnancy leads to inflammation in the uterus and intoxication. As a result of intoxication, weakness, aches and fever can also occur. Frozen pregnancy without timely treatment can lead to sepsis (blood poisoning).

When should I take a pregnancy test?

It is important to take a pregnancy test at the first sign of pregnancy. In order to avoid false results, it is necessary to do a pregnancy test correctly, which will determine the level of the hCG hormone in the urine. They have different sensitivities and performance techniques; the minimum level of hCG in the urine is always indicated on the test package. The lower the level, the more sensitive the test. Pregnancy tests in the early stages have an indicator of 10 mU / ml.

Pregnancy test should be carried out during the first days of missed period, preferably in the morning, with the first portion of urine (during the day, the concentration of hCG in the urine decreases). If there is still a lot of time before menstruation, a pregnancy test before the delay can be carried out at least 7-12 days after the intended conception. HCG levels double every two days after conception. Therefore, if the result of a pregnancy test after unprotected intercourse is in doubt, then testing should be repeated after 2-3 days.

In the event that conception occurred shortly before menstruation, and there is a delay, a negative pregnancy test may be false. We must wait 5-7 days and repeat the test: it is possible that the level of hCG has not reached the desired concentration in the urine.

A pregnancy test is considered positive if two lines appear on the test. With the right technique, pregnancy tests are highly accurate.

During pregnancy, as a rule, menstruation is absent. If a pregnancy test during menstruation turned out to be positive, you should pay attention to the expiration date of the test and make sure it was done correctly: the result is probably wrong. After all, the test responds to the level of hCG, which is produced only during pregnancy. If during pregnancy bloody discharge, similar to menstruation, and abdominal pain appear, you should definitely consult a gynecologist.

Pregnancy without an early pregnancy test can be determined by blood tests for hCG levels. And with the help of ultrasound machines, the fetal egg can be seen already on the 14th day after fertilization. A woman can feel changes in her body already in the first trimester of pregnancy. External signs of pregnancy in a woman appear much later, in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Popular questions

1. Is it possible to make love during pregnancy?

It is possible to make love during pregnancy if there are no contraindications. Contraindications to sexual activity during pregnancy may be the threat of interruption, bleeding or infectious diseases of the genital tract in one of the partners. Contraindications to sexual activity are determined by the gynecologist.

2. Can I dye my hair during pregnancy?

You can dye your hair during pregnancy. Hair dye is not absorbed into the bloodstream through the scalp and does not affect fetal development. Dye fumes can be dangerous, so staining should be carried out in a well-ventilated area.

3. How to control appetite during pregnancy?

In order to manage appetite during pregnancy, it is necessary to eat small meals 4-5 times a day, consume sufficient fluids and fiber. A constant feeling of hunger can also be a sign of a vitamin or micronutrient deficiency. To diagnose and eliminate deficiencies, you must consult a doctor and, if necessary, take tests.

4. How to calculate the duration of pregnancy?

There are several ways to calculate the duration of pregnancy: by the calendar method or by the results of an ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the fetus. In the 1st trimester of pregnancy, the gynecologist will determine the gestational age and the estimated date of birth, based on the date the last menstruation began. In the second and third trimester of pregnancy, the period may be changed depending on the determination of the age of the fetus by ultrasound.

5. What are the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy?

The initial signs of physiological and ectopic pregnancy are similar in many ways. When pregnancy occurs, menstruation is delayed, and indirect signs of conception appear (breast enlargement, white discharge instead of menstruation). Home pregnancy tests and a blood test for hCG (human choriogonadotropin) will also be positive. With an ectopic pregnancy, pain in the lower abdomen on one side may begin, followed by spotting from the genital tract. An ectopic pregnancy can be reliably diagnosed by ultrasound of the pelvic organs (gynecological ultrasound).

6. When is a pregnancy test done?

Thanks to modern sensitive pregnancy tests, you can find out about pregnancy on average two weeks after conception. There are home tests that show pregnancy 1-2 days before the expected period. It is necessary to take a pregnancy test if there is a delay or if indirect signs appear that may indicate the onset of pregnancy (for example, if the chest hurts and pulls the lower abdomen, but there is no menstruation).

7. What are the discharges during pregnancy?

Physiological discharge during pregnancy, as a rule, mucous, white. Allocations may appear in the early stages, in the first days after a delay in menstruation, and accompany a woman throughout pregnancy. Normal discharge during pregnancy has a neutral odor and does not bring discomfort. If there is an unpleasant odor, itching and burning, you should consult a gynecologist.

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Ask your question to the gynecologist

“ON Clinic”

reasons, pulling the lower abdomen, discharge, chest pain

When menstruation does not come on time, many girls and women immediately begin to get nervous – someone is afraid of an unplanned pregnancy, someone of pathologies. The most popular reason for a missed period is, of course, pregnancy, but there are dozens of others. Most of them are a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

Reasons for missed period by week

Pregnancy test negative at seven days late? So, you need to look for the cause further: they can be harmless and quite serious.

Adolescence

During the first couple of years after the first menstruation, periods may be irregular in adolescents. This is due to the fact that during this period the woman’s reproductive system is still being formed, and the ovaries do not produce an egg every month. Hence – a downed menstrual cycle and a sudden onset of menstruation.

Stress and anxiety

Stress and constant anxiety have a negative impact on overall health. This is due to the fact that the activity of the pituitary gland is disrupted, which affects the organs responsible for the production of hormones, in particular the adrenal glands and ovaries.

Further down the line – poor ovarian function leads to a problem with the production of estrogens, hormones that are involved in the process of monthly thickening of the uterine lining and preparing a woman’s body for a potential pregnancy. If the ovaries are disrupted, this can lead to delays in changing the length of the cycle and even missed periods.

Of course, it is impossible to exclude stress from life. But you need to try to avoid them and find ways to cope with it.

Pathology

The harmless reasons for delaying menstruation by a week were listed above, but there are also negative ones – these are diseases of the female system. A week delay may be due to ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, hormonal failure. To understand the exact reason, you need to contact a gynecologist.

What to do if your period is delayed by a week

First of all, you need to take a pregnancy test, modern test systems are able to show an accurate result even with a delay of only a few days. If the test is negative, and you are not pregnant, then it is necessary to identify the cause of menstrual dysfunction. To do this, it is recommended to make an appointment with a gynecologist, undergo an ultrasound scan to exclude the most likely causes of menstrual irregularities. They can be polycystic ovary syndrome, functional ovarian cyst, fibroids, etc.

If your period is delayed by a week or more in the last 6 months, your specialist may recommend a hormonal profile assessment. In order to identify the exact cause of the delay, the gynecologist, in addition to examination on the chair and ultrasound of the small pelvis, may prescribe the following studies: an analysis for STIs (to exclude mycoplasmosis, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis), ultrasound of the adrenal glands, a blood test for the level of hCG, pituitary hormones, ovaries and other hormones.

Prevention of missed periods

A girl and a woman need to visit a gynecologist once or twice a year, even if she has no complaints. In case of problems with the cycle, in addition to the gynecologist, it is also recommended to visit an endocrinologist and get tested for sex hormones.

To maintain a healthy state, including the female genital area, you should stop smoking, alcohol, drugs, overeating, lead an active lifestyle and engage in light sports.

Be sure to pay attention to your diet: whether there is protein, carbohydrates and the right fats in the plate, which are necessary for women’s health. Good fats include olive oil, egg yolks, butter, avocados, lean fish, and nuts.

In order not to have problems with the cycle, it is necessary to select safe hormonal contraceptives with the help of a gynecologist-endocrinologist (not on your own!).

A woman should consult a gynecologist if the absence of menstruation is a week or more.

Popular Questions and Answers

According to obstetrician-gynecologist Anna Bykova , menstrual irregularity is an underestimated symptom of a worsening reproductive condition, and subsequently, possibly, a woman’s somatic health. Diagnostic search for violation of the menstrual cycle should begin with the exclusion of a possible pregnancy. For this purpose, an express pregnancy test or blood test is performed with a quantitative assessment of the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), as well as an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs. We asked Anna Bykova a few more questions.

Why does the lower abdomen pull when a week is delayed?

Complaints of nagging pains in the lower abdomen in case of a delay in the next menstruation with a negative pregnancy test require the exclusion of the pathology of the uterus and its appendages, diseases of other pelvic organs (urinary tract, intestines), as well as diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

In some cases, despite a negative pregnancy test result, a woman may be advised to repeat the test (or blood test for hCG) with an interval of several days.

What causes white, brown or bloody discharge after a week delay?

The appearance of bleeding from the genital tract, which differs from the “usual” menstrual flow for this patient, may be a manifestation of the pathology of the pelvic organs (for example, the presence of cysts or tumors of the ovaries, endometriosis, polyp or endometrial hyperplasia), as well as functional disorders of the endocrine system, blood coagulation system, inflammatory process.

Do not forget about the possible side effects of drugs and dietary supplements (BAA). Often, patients report taking “herbal” preparations, the name, composition and effect of which are unknown to either the patient or the doctor, and there is no way to find out from available information sources. Accordingly, the influence of these drugs on the state of the organs of the reproductive system, endocrine function, and the nature of the menstrual cycle cannot be excluded.

Can chest pains occur with a delay of a week?

If the change in the menstrual cycle is the result of hormonal disorders (including dysfunction of the ovaries, thyroid gland, some parts of the brain that regulate the function of the endocrine system), as well as hormone-producing tumors, then one of the clinical complaints indicated by patients there may be an increase in sensitivity, an increase in volume, soreness of the mammary glands. Side effects of some medications can cause menstrual irregularities and breast tenderness.

What is the reason for the increase in temperature with a delay of a week?

A slight (in most cases imperceptible to patients) increase in body temperature in the second phase of the menstrual cycle is physiological. In other cases, an increase in body temperature requires the exclusion of the inflammatory process of any localization, systemic autoimmune diseases and dysfunction of the endocrine system.

Which signs of pregnancy can and cannot be trusted

You can listen to a short version of the article. If it’s more convenient for you, turn on the podcast.

The most reliable signs of pregnancy are a positive blood test for hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and an ultrasound confirming the fact of conception. But sometimes you want to clarify the situation before going to the doctor or pharmacy. And this can really be done with high accuracy if you know which symptoms and in what period to pay attention.

At what time do the first signs of pregnancy appear

Let’s say right away: stories like “I realized that I was pregnant the very next morning after a night of love!” or “we slept together, and after three days morning sickness appeared and everything became obvious” – this is something like an urban legend. They have nothing to do with science.

The earliest signs of pregnancy appear at best after 6 days ^{What are some common signs of pregnancy? / US Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health after conception. And it’s not for all women.}

The reason is physiology. For a pregnancy to occur, the egg must meet with the sperm in the fallopian tube. This should happen within one or two days after ovulation – the maturation of the egg in the ovary. The fertilized egg then travels to the uterus to attach to it.

This process takes at least a few days – on average from 6 to 10. Moreover, until the egg begins to fix itself in the endometrium lining the uterus, no changes in well-being can be noticed. Simply because they are not and cannot be.

Actually, it is the implantation (introduction) of the embryo into the wall of the uterus that doctors consider the beginning of pregnancy. And this is logical. If a woman is taking oral contraceptives or has an intrauterine device, implantation will not occur. Accordingly, pregnancy will not occur and will not be able to make itself felt with any symptoms.

Conclusion: it is useless to look for signs of pregnancy earlier than 6 days after unprotected intercourse. But after this period, you can already begin to listen to yourself.

Which early signs of pregnancy you can trust

There are traditional signs of pregnancy related to well-being: morning sickness with or without vomiting, painful breasts, changes in taste… And most of them are really worthy of attention.

Patricia A. Yost

OB/GYN, MD

It’s enough that you feel a little different than usual to suspect pregnancy ^{5 Reliable Early Pregnancy Signs / Cleveland Clinic.}

But at the same time, these symptoms may have other causes. The real signs of pregnancy manifest themselves in strictly defined terms – this is due to the physiology, which we talked about above.

Therefore, if any change in your health seems suspicious to you, be sure to check how much time has passed since the alleged conception (or the first day of the last menstruation – the so-called obstetric period is counted from it).

Here are the most popular and reliable symptoms that you are pregnant. Not all of them may be present specifically for you. But the more of them, the higher the likelihood that you are in a position.

1. Mild cramps in the lower abdomen

• Onset : 6-12 days after conception (4-5 weeks after last period).

When a fertilized egg implants in the wall of the uterus, some women experience mild cramping pain in the lower abdomen. It can last 1-2 days until the implantation process is completed. These sensations are also enhanced by increased blood flow to the uterus.

However, pain in the lower abdomen often occurs before menstruation, when the uterus is preparing to reject the thickened endometrium that is not needed this time. If you are not pregnant, after a couple of days these cramps will end with menstruation. But if the stomach hurt and stopped and menstruation did not come, you should be wary.

2. Spotting spotting

• When appears: 6-12 days after the expected conception, that is, on the days of the expected menstruation (4-5th week from the beginning of the last menstruation).

The process of egg implantation in the uterine wall can be accompanied not only by pain, but also by the so-called implantation bleeding. It is small and usually consists of small, light red or brownish discharge that stops within a couple of days.

Sometimes women overlook this symptom, thinking it is simply too weak menstruation. But menstruation cannot be “too weak”, this is important. If the monthly bleeding of your usual volumes did not come after the spotting discharge, you are most likely pregnant.

3. Heavy, painful breasts

• When does it appear : after 6–12 days ^{What are some common signs of pregnancy? / US Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health after conception (4-5 weeks from the beginning of the last menstruation).}

This is how the mammary glands react to hormonal changes in the body that begin after the implantation of the egg. This is a fairly common and characteristic symptom. According to survey ^{Early Pregnancy Symptoms / American Pregnancy Association, conducted by the American Pregnancy Association, for 17% of women, swollen breasts were the first sign of their new condition.}

At the same time, breast enlargement and soreness can also be associated with approaching menstruation – the so-called premenstrual syndrome.

4. Unmotivated weakness, fatigue

• When appears: 6-12 days after the expected conception (4-5 weeks from the beginning of the last menstruation).

During and after the implantation of the egg, the body begins to produce progesterone, a hormone that helps maintain the pregnancy. A side effect of its increased level is sudden weakness, drowsiness, laziness, unwillingness to do anything. Later, when the female body adapts to the changed hormonal background, vigor will return. But at the very start of pregnancy, weakness is most noticeable.

However, concluding that you are pregnant just because you suddenly want to get under the covers and do nothing is not worth it. Unmotivated fatigue can have dozens of different reasons – from banal overwork or ordinary SARS to much more dangerous diseases. Keep monitoring your condition.

5. Delayed period

• When appears: about 14 days after conception (weeks 5-6 from the beginning of the last period) in a normal 28-day cycle.

Absence of menstruation is the key and most understandable symptom of pregnancy. Nearly 30% of women surveyed by the American Pregnancy Association said ^{Early Pregnancy Symptoms that this is what prompted them to take the test.}

Nevertheless, the delay in menstruation is still not an unambiguous sign. It can be related to a host of other factors besides pregnancy: stress, weight loss, exercising too intensely, jet lag, certain medications.

6. Nausea (early toxicosis)

• When appears: about 14 days after conception (5-6 weeks from the beginning of the last menstruation).

They like to show this sign in films so that the viewer understands that the heroine is pregnant. But nausea appears no earlier than 2 weeks after conception. Scientists do not fully understand what this process is connected with, however, they suggest that this is the body’s reaction to a changed hormonal background.

If you feel sick 3-7 days after sexual intercourse, it is more likely a problem with digestion, and not early toxicosis, because at this time the level of hormones does not change significantly.

7. Sensitivity to smells

• When appears: about 14 days after conception (5-6 weeks from the beginning of the last menstruation).

This symptom is caused by the same hormonal changes as nausea. Sometimes it appears even before the delay of menstruation. For example, you become unbearable smell from smoking colleagues. Or he begins to feel sick from the aroma of his favorite flowers, perfumes, dishes. This is a good reason to at least buy a pregnancy test.

8. Bloating and constipation

• When appears: 6-12 days after conception (4-5 weeks from the beginning of the last menstruation).

Progesterone causes some muscle relaxation. This also applies to the muscles of the intestines. For this reason, the digestive process slows down, stool remains in the intestines longer. Which often causes a bursting sensation in the abdomen and constipation.

However, be aware that bloating and constipation can have dozens of other causes besides pregnancy. Therefore, it makes sense to consider this symptom only in combination with others.

9. Frequent urination

• When appears: 14-21 days after conception (5-6th week from the beginning of the last menstruation).

In the first weeks of pregnancy, the body actively produces the hormone hCG. It increases blood flow to the pelvis, causing women to run to the toilet more often.

10. Increased basal temperature

• When appears: 14-21 days after conception (5-6th week from the beginning of the last menstruation).

Basal body temperature is measured in the mouth, rectum or vagina. It rises during ovulation – that is, during the period when the egg leaves the ovary into the fallopian tube. During pregnancy, basal temperature can also increase. But this happens not earlier than the sixth obstetric week.

11. Mood swings

• When appears: 7-10 days after the start of the delay of menstruation (from the 6th week from the beginning of the last menstruation).

Mood swings are caused by hormonal changes that a pregnant woman goes through. However, these changes increase gradually and become significant after a delay in menstruation.

If irritability, anxiety, tearfulness occur much earlier, most likely, it is not about pregnancy, but about banal PMS or stress.

12. Dizziness

• When appears: from 14-21 days after conception (from 5-6 weeks from the beginning of the last menstruation).

In the early stages of pregnancy, blood pressure often drops. This is due to the fact that the uterus requires more blood supply, the blood vessels dilate to provide the necessary blood flow, and the heart is not yet ready to pump the required volumes. The pressure decreases, this process is accompanied by dizziness.

However, dizziness can have other causes, including dangerous ones. If you begin to regularly “sickness”, consult a general practitioner or (if pregnancy has already been established) a gynecologist.

13. Accelerated pulse

• When appears: from the 8th to 10th week from the beginning of the last menstruation.

During pregnancy, the heart has to pump more blood to keep the growing uterus and fetus healthy. Therefore, it begins to work more actively. An increased heart rate is a common symptom in pregnant women, but it occurs already at those times when pregnancy is in most cases obvious.

But again, keep in mind that an accelerated heartbeat (tachycardia) can also occur for other reasons – for example, with cardiovascular diseases. In any case, such conditions, if they began to manifest themselves regularly, require consultation with a general practitioner, gynecologist or cardiologist.

14. Pimples

• When appears: usually not earlier than the 11th week from the beginning of the last menstruation.

Increased blood volume and increased hormone levels increase blood flow. This leads to the fact that the sebaceous glands of the body begin to work more actively than usual. Acne is often a side effect of this activity.

However, acne has many other causes, so do not rush to write off pimples for pregnancy. You may be able to quickly get rid of them if you make small changes in your lifestyle.

Signs of pregnancy to avoid

1. Diarrhea

Liquid, watery stools are also sometimes considered a sign of pregnancy. But it is not. On the contrary, you are more likely to become constipated in the early stages of pregnancy. Exclusively for hormonal reasons, which we wrote about above.

If you do develop diarrhea, it is likely caused by other factors: you may have eaten something wrong or caught a rotavirus infection.

2. Abrupt changes in taste preferences

There are legends about the love of pregnant women for peaches with herring or strawberries with soy sauce. But there is little convincing scientific evidence that women experience cravings for unusual flavor combinations during pregnancy.

Rather, we are talking about some changes in appetite ^{Pregnancy signs at two weeks / BabyCenter associated with early morning sickness and sensitivity to smells. So, you may want to give up your usual coffee or fried foods – simply because their pungent smell will become disgusting.}

However, there is still a craving for non-standard dishes. As a rule, it is associated with the fact that the body of a pregnant woman is deficient in certain essential vitamins and minerals. And he tries to cover their shortage by making the hostess want chalk (this may be a sign of iron deficiency) or, for example, pickles (deficiency of some salts) with raspberry jam (vitamin C deficiency). But such food perversions occur at solid terms of pregnancy, when it is already obvious.

3. Dreams about fish and other signs

But these options have nothing to do with evidence-based medicine at all, no matter at what moment they appear. Also, do not try to detect pregnancy with the help of fortune-telling and waving a ring on a string.

How to establish pregnancy for sure

To begin with, listen to yourself, but don’t go crazy. If you have a couple of reliable signs, invest in a quality pharmacy test. With its help, you can determine pregnancy as early as 10–12 days after fertilization.

If you want to be clear sooner, take a blood test for hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). It can be done in any certified medical laboratory, and the results will be ready within a few hours.

Lia Moss

Nurse Midwife at Northwestern University School of Medicine

An hCG blood test can detect pregnancy as early as 7 to 10 days after conception. But beware: testing too early can lead to false positives ^{Are You Pregnant? 12 Early Signs of Pregnancy / Live Science .}

If the test is positive, go to the gynecologist. The doctor will conduct an examination and prescribe a follow-up ultrasound to confirm your new position.

If the tests are negative, but the symptoms of pregnancy seem obvious to you, repeat the test in 1-2 days. And if necessary – again after the same period of time.

By the way, a negative result in this case will also be a result. If the signs of pregnancy persist or increase, and the test claims that there is no embryo in your body, this is a serious reason to see a gynecologist again. There are hormonal diseases that give symptoms similar to pregnancy. And it’s important not to miss them.

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First signs of pregnancy before delay, early symptoms

Significant hormonal changes occur during pregnancy. This causes a number of symptoms. Some women experience pregnancy symptoms right away, while others may only have a few. About the first signs of early pregnancy and when exactly the first signs of pregnancy appear we tell in the article.

At what time do the first signs of pregnancy appear

The answer to the question of when the first signs of pregnancy appear is rather ambiguous, because some women do not feel any signs at all during the first few weeks. At what week do the first signs of pregnancy appear in others? When do the first signs of pregnancy appear after conception? Symptoms of very early pregnancy (such as breast tenderness) may appear before a missed period, as early as six to seven days after conception, while other early signs of pregnancy (such as spotting) may appear about a week after ovulation. We will tell you more about the first signs of pregnancy before menstruation and when the signs of pregnancy appear.

What are the earliest signs of pregnancy?

The first signs of pregnancy in the early stages:

• delayed menstruation – 29%;
• nausea – 25%;
• mood swings – from 14 to 23%;
• breast changes – 17%;
• pain in the lower abdomen – 15%;
• depression – 15%;
• fatigue, drowsiness – 13%
• decrease in immunity – 6%;
• the first signs of pregnancy – discharge or implantation bleeding – only 3%.

Physiological first signs of pregnancy

What are the very first symptoms of pregnancy?

The most common physiological signs of pregnancy include:

• Tender and enlarged breasts. Signs of pregnancy in the first days after conception include breast changes (1-2 weeks after conception). The area around the nipples, called the areola, may also darken.

• Drowsiness and fatigue. Fatigue is also among the signs of pregnancy in the first days after conception. During early pregnancy, levels of the hormone progesterone rise dramatically, which can cause drowsiness.

• Nausea with vomiting. When do these signs of pregnancy appear? Morning sickness, which can appear at any time of the day or night, often appears between the second and eighth weeks after conception.

• Dizziness and fainting . This may be due to dilation of blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

• Spasms. Some women experience symptoms of pregnancy in the early days, such as slight cramps in the uterus.

• Headaches and back pains. Many pregnant women complain of frequent headaches and others experience back pain.

• Insomnia – another first sign of pregnancy before the test. Causes can include stress, physical discomfort, and hormonal changes.

• Change in taste preferences. Like most other symptoms of pregnancy, these eating habits can be attributed to hormonal changes.

• Temperature. Early signs of pregnancy include fever (37-37.5).

• Delayed menstruation. How long does it take for the first signs of pregnancy to appear? If you are of childbearing age and a week or more has passed without your expected period, you may be pregnant. However, this symptom can be misleading if you have an irregular menstrual cycle.

• Bloody discharge – the first signs of pregnancy . This bleeding, known as implantation bleeding, occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, approximately 10 to 14 days after conception.

• Bloating, heartburn. Hormonal changes can cause problems with the stomach and esophagus – these are common signs of pregnancy at 2 weeks.

• Constipation . Hormonal changes cause the digestive system to slow down, which can lead to constipation (signs of pregnancy after a delay).

• Frequent urination. You may urinate more than usual, which is a common sign of pregnancy at 5 weeks. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in the body increases, causing the kidneys to process excess fluid that enters the bladder.

• Runny nose. The appearance of this symptom is associated with excessive production of the hormone estrogen.

• Exacerbation of chronic diseases. This is a sign of pregnancy after ovulation.

• Increased salivation. Also associated with hormonal changes.

• Sense of smell enhancement . Signs of pregnancy in the first two weeks may cause sensitivity to certain smells and the sense of taste may change.

Emotional first signs of pregnancy

The first signs of pregnancy before the delay (the earliest signs of pregnancy) include psycho-emotional symptoms.

1. Mood swings.
2. Irritability.
3. Vulnerability, tearfulness.
4. Capriciousness.
5. Depression.

These are all emotional signs of early pregnancy that many women report. They describe feelings of heightened emotion or even bouts of crying, which are associated with rapid changes in hormone levels in the body. Also, signs of pregnancy at week 4 can make you feel PMS-style cranky. In addition, about 15% of women suffer from depression or anxiety during pregnancy. And after childbirth, these conditions suffer even more. In this case, it is better to seek help from a doctor.

Do everything you can to improve your mood: get plenty of rest, eat well, get enough sleep, do things you love, and pamper yourself.

However, be aware that mood swings can be caused by a number of conditions other than pregnancy.

Influence of early pregnancy on daily routine

Early signs of pregnancy, mainly those that bring discomfort, may cause a change in daily routine. Here are some tips on what you can do with some of them:

1. In case of toxicosis, avoid too hot or too cold food – this provokes an attack of vomiting. Eat often – at least 5-6 times a day, but in small portions.
2. For nausea or vomiting, try ginger, chamomile, or vitamin B6.
3. Drink plenty of water, in small sips between meals, to replenish lost fluids. Teas, juices, fruit drinks are also suitable.
4. For back pain, wear shoes or shoe insoles designed for pregnant women and avoid high heels. Sleep on a firm mattress.
5. For chest discomfort, wear a special bra that supports enlarged breasts.
6. For constipation, eat more fiber-rich foods such as wheat bran and fresh vegetables and fruits.
7. If you suffer from headaches and mood swings, try stress reduction techniques such as yoga or meditation.
8. Be outdoors more often, at least half an hour a day. This helps to reduce the symptoms of toxicosis, calm the nervous system.
9. Maintain your daily physical activity for as long as it is convenient for you to perform certain activities.
10. Eat a balanced diet with enough protein, fat and carbohydrates.

Important! All these tips are advisory in nature, be sure to consult your doctor if you encounter discomfort.

What to do if you find early signs of pregnancy

To make sure the signs of pregnancy are accurate, you can use the following methods to diagnose early pregnancy:

1. Donate blood for hCG. This method can be used a few days after conception. This type of pregnancy test is done using a small sample of blood that is analyzed in a hospital. It determines whether there is a pregnancy hormone in your body and in what quantity. Its accuracy is 99%.
2. Use test strip.