Periods late by 10 days and negative pregnancy test: Late Period, Negative Tests & Pregnancy

Delayed periods Chemical Pregnancy | No Period Negative Pregnancy Test

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Srishti Ghosh Shinde

Updated: Aug 7, 2018, 12:50 IST

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Delayed periods could also mean chemical pregnancy

Missing the menstrual cycle by a day or two is normal, but there are cases of women missing their periods by 10 days or even weeks. A delayed period is not always a cause for alarm, however experts state that in some, it might be a case of chemical pregnancy.
WHAT IS CHEMICAL PREGNANCY?

A fertilised egg or a pregnancy produces a hormone called hCG i.e. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. The level of this hormone in the blood determines the health of the egg. Once the level of this hormone in the blood crosses a particular level, it is detected in the urine; this is when a urine pregnancy test results positive. It usually happens within one-two days of missing the periods. However, in the case of a chemical pregnancy , the level of hCG in the blood keeps going down as the process of pregnancy has stopped.

EXPERTS SPEAK

Dr. Rakhi Gaitonde, a gynaecologist, mentioned that a lot of women ignore delayed periods thinking it to be normal, as stress or sickness are also known to cause it.However, not many are aware of chemical pregnancy, which is also referred to as early miscarriage. This happens when a fertilised egg does not attach itself to the uterine wall. “It means that the miscarriage happened at a point of time between a missed period and biochemical tests (beta hCG estimation test). The home pregnancy test is the only evidence that the woman was pregnant as it happened before an ultrasound test could recognise it,” explains Dr. Mohan Raut, MD PGO, infertility specialist. Raut also adds that delayed periods is so normal that several women do not even suspect a pregnancy , even after missing their periods for as long as three weeks. Unlike miscarriages, which typically occur at a later stage of gestation, chemical pregnancies occur just after implantation, hence a lot of women are unaware of the occurrence.

THE SIGNS

Most cases of chemical pregnancies do not show any symptoms, whatsoever. Some women report cramps in the abdomen or slight spotting a few days before their period is due. “Since the pregnancy is premature, there are no relative symptoms like fatigue or nausea. Moreover, since the fertilised egg did not implant itself to the uterine wall, the growth of the pregnancy stops,” says Gaitonde. Only blood tests done at an early stage (within a day or two of missing periods) might reveal hCG count.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES?

Most experts assert that the reason for chemical pregnancies is the same as other miscarriages. “Abnormal chromosomes in the developing embryo is one of the most important reasons. Several factors such as poor quality of the sperm or egg, an abnormal cell division of the foetus or genetic abnormalities in either of the parents; in fact, an untreated thyroid can also lead to chemical pregnancy,” says Dr. Rohit Ramchandran, MD PGO, infertility specialist.

TREATMENT

However unfortunate it might be, chemical pregnancies cannot be prevented nor treated. “Only couples undergoing an IVF treatment understand that they’ve had a chemical pregnancy, as their blood is frequently tested,” says Ramchandran.Women who undergo chemical pregnancy are encouraged to follow-up with tests to ensure their hCG levels return to normal. However, women need not worry or stress about it, since there is no evidence suggesting that chemical pregnancies affect future pregnancies.

End of the article

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Period Late, But Negative Pregnancy Test? Find Out Why.

What does it mean if you have a late period but you’re getting negative pregnancy tests? It means that your period isn’t actually late—you probably just had a late ovulation. Without tracking your cycle, it’s impossible to know when to take a pregnancy test.

Some women have irregular cycles and are never really sure when to expect their periods. Other women have very regular cycles; their periods always seem to come at predictable intervals. If you recently came off birth control pills, you might be used to very regular cycles—but your natural cycle length might be very different from the artificial cycle length you had while taking the Pill.

If your cycle length is usually pretty consistent, it can be very alarming when your period is late. But your body is not a machine, and regular cycles in the past does not guarantee regular cycles in the future.

Does late ovulation mean late period?

The good news is, if you understand the phases of the menstrual cycle and how to track them, you will always know when your period is due.

The menstrual cycle is broken down into two phases. The follicular phase begins on the first day of your period and ends when you ovulate. The luteal phase begins after ovulation and ends when you get your next period.

During ovulation, an egg bursts out of a follicle in your ovary. The spent follicle transforms into something called a corpus luteum, which is a temporary structure that secretes progesterone. The progesterone helps thicken your uterine lining. After about two weeks, the corpus luteum stops producing progesterone, your uterine lining can no longer be sustained, and it sheds during your period.

The luteal phase ranges from 10 – 16 days, but it doesn’t vary much in individual women. If your luteal phase is usually 12 days, it may occasionally be 11 or 13 days, but it will probably never be 16 days.

The follicular phase, on the other hand, is more likely to be variable from cycle to cycle. Things like travel, stress, illness, and changes in diet and exercise can delay ovulation. Since the length of the luteal phase is usually fixed, a longer follicular phase will mean that your period arrives later than normal—but it will still be the same number of days after ovulation.

How to Never Be Surprised by a Negative Pregnancy Test

The best pregnancy tests can be accurate starting from around 5 days before your period is due. But when your period is due depends on when you ovulated:

• If you typically ovulate on cycle day 14 and have a 14-day luteal phase, you might be able to get an accurate result from a highly sensitive pregnancy test by cycle day 24—4 days before your period is due.
• Let’s say you were sick with the flu, and as a result, you didn’t ovulate until cycle day 20.
• In this case, you shouldn’t expect an accurate pregnancy test result until cycle day 30 at the earliest. If you’re not pregnant, your period would likely arrive around cycle day 34.

Bottom line: if you ovulate late …

1. Your period will be late if you’re not pregnant
2. If you are pregnant, you won’t be able to get an accurate result on a pregnancy test until later in your cycle (testing too early will give you a false negative pregnancy test)

By Lindsay Meisel | Jun 9, 2017

Tags: follicular phase, luteal phase, menstruation, pregnancy

ᐉ 10 Reasons for delayed periods other than pregnancy ➡ And what to do?

A woman’s period can be delayed at any age. This problem is one of the most common reasons to visit a gynecologist. The reason for the absence of menstruation is not only pregnancy – with a delay, the test may be negative. Then it is possible that the failure of the menstrual cycle indicates serious problems in the female body. What could be the reasons for the delay in menstruation, other than pregnancy, and how to normalize the menstruation cycle – read our article. nine0003

Women’s cycle: how many days of delay – within the normal range

Each woman’s body is characterized by an individual rhythm of the menstrual cycle, duration and volume of bleeding and other features. If the menstruation did not go on time, the girls ask themselves: is this normal, how many days can there be a delay? Normally, the cycle of menstruation lasts from 21 to 35 days, a slight delay within 7-10 days is not a cause for concern. If the menstruation disappeared for a longer period, while the test is negative, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist and find out the reasons for the delay. nine0003

What are the reasons for the delay in menstruation?

The reasons why there may be a delay in menstruation are often physiological (stress, climate change, unbalanced diet, obesity) or pathological (hormonal imbalance, inflammation, STIs). One way or another, the failure of the menstrual cycle is an alarm, and in no case should it be ignored. Let’s figure out what are the reasons for the absence of menstruation other than pregnancy.

Hormonal imbalance

A common cause of missing menstruation is endocrine disruption or imbalance of hormones. There are more than 60 of these biologically active substances in the human body. All of them interact with each other, regulating the functioning of organs and body systems. Violation of the synthesis of one hormone affects the concentration of another, causing an imbalance. Delayed menstruation is one of the symptoms of a malfunction in the endocrine system. As provocateurs usually act:

• follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones produced by the pituitary gland, their function is to regulate the process of maturation of the follicle and the release of the egg from it; nine0018
• thyroid hormones – affect the synthesis of sex hormones;
• hormones produced by the adrenal cortex (corticosteroids).

Jumps in hormone levels and, as a result, a delay in menstruation, occur in girls during adolescence, in women after 45 years of age during perimenopause, as well as after long-term use and then abrupt withdrawal of hormonal drugs.

Inflammatory diseases in the genital area

Inflammation of the reproductive organs (endometritis, adnexitis) is another common cause of delayed menstruation, except for pregnancy. Along with menstrual irregularities, inflammatory processes in the genital area are accompanied by atypical vaginal discharge, pain in the lower abdomen, and fever. This condition requires immediate medical attention. Running inflammation in a feminine way leads to infertility and other complications. nine0003

Severe, long-term stress

Possible causes of missed periods are constant exposure to severe stress. When a person is nervous, the level of cortisol and adrenaline in the blood rises, inhibiting the synthesis of sex hormones. The result is a violation of the menstrual cycle, the absence of menstruation.

Colds

Quite often, the cause of delayed menstruation is ARVI, flu, tonsillitis. Viral and bacterial infections weaken the body, affect the pituitary and hypothalamus, cause hormone imbalance and, as a result, a delay. nine0003

Diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2

Metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus (DM) types 1 and 2 – such pathologies of the endocrine system also cause menstrual cycle failure, delayed menstruation, menstrual pain. The main factor in the development of diabetes is a violation of the pancreas and its function to produce the hormone insulin, without which the body does not absorb glucose. In type 1 diabetes, insulin is not synthesized in the right amount. In type 2 diabetes, insulin is produced, but cells and tissues become insensitive to it (insulin resistance develops). The connection of insulin with sex hormones (progesterone, estradiol, testosterone) causes a delay in menstruation in diabetes. nine0003

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a pathology of the female reproductive system associated with a violation of the process of egg maturation. The disease develops against the background of hormonal failure, namely, increased synthesis of the male hormone testosterone and reduced production of progesterone and estradiol. Polycystic ovary syndrome is another possible cause of persistent missed periods and difficulty conceiving.

Malfunctions of the liver and biliary tract

Liver dysfunction leads to inhibition of the process of inactivation of steroid hormones, which include thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland, female and male sex hormones, insulin. As a result, an excessive amount of unsplitted hormones enters the bloodstream, which is the cause of various pathological conditions, including delayed menstruation and reduced fertility.

Obesity or underweight

Normal body mass index (BMI = height squared in meters / body weight in kg) from 18.5 to 25. Overweight BMI over 25, obese over 30. Underweight observed with a BMI below 18.5. nine0003

The work of the female body is negatively affected by deviation from the norm, both up and down:

Adipose tissue performs the functions of an endocrine gland: like in the ovaries, estrogens are produced in it. Obesity leads to excessive estrogen synthesis, which means to hypersecretion of luteinizing hormone and, in a chain, to excessive stimulation of androgen production. An imbalance of hormones causes the absence of monthly or excessive uterine bleeding, over time, polycystic ovaries, chronic anovulation and endocrine infertility may develop. nine0003

Starvation, lack of nutrients, sudden weight loss – all this often leads to severe stress, hormonal shake-up, metabolic disorders. And it can cause the disappearance of menstruation.

Change of climate, daily biorhythms

The process of adaptation of the body to changing climatic conditions (difference in temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure) may be accompanied by a menstrual cycle failure. The same applies to changes in the usual daily biorhythms – wakefulness at night, work in night shifts. nine0003

Taking certain medications

Uncontrolled intake, incorrect dosage of certain drugs – antidepressants, anticonvulsants and hemostatics, neuroleptics, glucocorticoids, antibiotics, antihypertensive pills can be the reason for the delay in menstruation.

What to do: when you need to worry about delayed menstruation

Delayed menstruation is accompanied by an imbalance of hormones, a decrease in the adaptive capacity of the female body and can signal serious health problems. It is impossible to establish a hormonal background without high-quality diagnostics, determining the level of hormones in the blood. Remember that it is strongly not recommended to take actions related to cycle shifts without consulting a specialist. Any attempt to independently induce menstruation can cause serious harm to the reproductive system and the entire body. nine0003

Take care of your health. If the delay in menstruation with a negative test lasts more than 10 days, be sure to contact a gynecologist or gynecologist-endocrinologist, do an ultrasound of the pelvic organs, take tests for hormones. If necessary, heal.

why this can happen and what to do

Delay of menstruation by 5 or more days is a variant of the physiological norm. We will tell you why it can occur and when it is still worth taking care of your health. nine0003

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Not getting your period when you expect it can make anyone nervous, even if it’s just the first day of a missed period. What can we say about the delay of menstruation by 5 days – and with a negative test, there is something to worry about, especially if there are some additional symptoms besides the pause in the cycle itself. Even if menstruation still came after a delay of 5 days, such failures may mean that something is wrong in the body, and it would be better to figure out in time whether this is a one-time action (for example, due to stress) or the violation is systemic character and requires treatment. In addition, of course, the absence of a period can mean that you are still pregnant, the tests do not give a 100% guarantee. nine0003

What to do if your period is delayed by 5 days or more

First of all, you need to exclude pregnancy, since this is one of the most likely reasons why menstruation does not come. If you had sexual contact with a person of the opposite sex within the last cycle, regardless of the contraception you used, there is some possibility of conception. No remedy gives a complete guarantee, except abstinence. In this case, it is worth buying a pregnancy test at a pharmacy and using it for its intended purpose. nine0003

If the test shows a negative result with a delay of menstruation by 5 days, pregnancy should be excluded with the help of additional examinations – take a blood test for the level of human chorionic gonadotropin. If this level is high, then the test was false negative. If the concentration of hCG is low, most likely, the reason for the delay is not that you will soon become a mother, but something else.

5 days late period: probable causes other than pregnancy

There are several factors that can affect your cycle by delaying your period.

• Stress. The hormones that are released during it put your body on high alert. In this mode, all functions that are not aimed at saving from possible danger are suppressed, including reproductive.
• Weight loss or gain. An abrupt change in weight category leads to a hormonal imbalance, and this imbalance, in turn, causes a failure in the cycle. Malnutrition can also interfere with the natural course of things – calorie restriction affects the part of the brain that controls hormones, so with anorexia and other eating disorders, periods can disappear altogether. nine0018
• Intense training, such as preparing for a competition. If you lose too many calories too often, again there is a hormonal imbalance. When returning to normal mode, the cycle also returns.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome. This disease is characterized by irregular periods as a result of hormonal disorders.
• Hormonal contraceptives. While you are taking them, you may even be able to synchronize your watches, but after the end of the intake, the cycle will take some time to come back to its natural limits. nine0018
• Perimenopause is a transitional period before menopause. The amount of estrogens, female hormones that control menstruation, is decreasing, and the first sign of perimenopause is just the delay in menstruation. This usually happens around the age of 45.
• Early menopause – actually menopause, which came ahead of time. The body stops producing estrogen, the cycle first becomes irregular, then the periods disappear.
• Diseases of the thyroid gland. This is another important organ that is involved in the hormonal balance, respectively, if there are problems with it, then with the balance too. nine0018
• Certain chronic diseases. Irregularity of the cycle is a symptom, for example, of such diseases as celiac disease and diabetes. However, for the latter, this is relevant if you do not control the level of sugar in the blood (which is unlikely).

We have described nine reasons why menstruation is delayed by 5 days, the tenth reason is pregnancy. In general, a missed or missed period can be a sign of both life changes and medical problems. If your cycle is usually quite regular and you don’t often have to worry about delays, they are most likely caused by some one-time situations, and everything will return to normal when these situations cease to exist. If problems with the cycle continue for more than two months in a row, you should consult a doctor. nine0003

It is also necessary to visit a doctor if…

• …when menstruation is delayed by 5 days, it pulls the stomach or lower abdomen – this may be a sign of some disease, inflammatory process. However, in some women, pulling sensations in the abdomen appear just before menstruation.
• …you have an unusual discharge. Sometimes this can be a sign of ovulation, but more often it turns out that there are some disturbances in the reproductive system.
• …subfebrile temperature is observed for a long time. If there is no menstruation, and the temperature lasts for a long time, this may indicate an implicit inflammatory process. nine0018
• … you feel sick, vomit, bleeding too much or too long, severe pain, high fever; and also if something similar to menstruation began after a year of nothing similar due to menopause. Everything described in this paragraph are symptoms of serious disorders of the reproductive system.

It will be good if you can show the doctor detailed records of your cycle: when and how much was the delay, what preceded it, what changed in life (competitions, holidays, stress at work, illnesses). Then it is much easier for him to diagnose.