For couples trying to conceive, the missed period is often the first exciting sign of a positive pregnancy. But what should you think, then, when the pregnancy test is negative? Show
Causes of a Negative Pregnancy TestThere are a several possible explanations for a negative pregnancy test with a missed period that may occur in the absence of pregnancy. AnovulationWhen you are trying to conceive, it is important to determine whether you are successfully ovulating each month, as ovulatory dysfunction or anovulation may play a role in your missed period and can affect your ability to conceive. There are many causes for ovulatory dysfunction or anovulation. Just a handful of these causes include:
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)Some women may have a condition known as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). In POI, the symptoms experienced are similar to those of menopause. As the ovarian follicle count is depleted prematurity, falling estrogen levels lead to hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and an absence of menses as the woman prematurely enters menopause. Miscalculating Your PeriodThe average menstrual cycle is 28 days, but far too often we forget to note day 1 of our cycle. Additionally, cycles can sometimes vary in length from month to month. Charting Basal Body Temperature or using Ovulation Prediction Kits (OPKs) can help you get a firm grasp on your menstrual cycle to predict when you are most likely to conceive. Second, there are a few reasons why your pregnancy test may read negative when you are, in fact, pregnant. Some reasons for this may include: Home Pregnancy Test with a Low SensitivityA home pregnancy test will only detect pregnancy when the level of “pregnancy hormone,” also known as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), reaches a certain threshold, and it simply may not be sensitive enough to produce a positive result. Certain brands state that they can detect lower thresholds of hCG; depending on how soon you are taking the pregnancy test after the missed period, it may be worth trying again with a more sensitive brand, ensuring you are using the first morning urine for your test (hCG concentrations are highest in the first morning urine). Taking a Home Pregnancy Test Too SoonAnother reason for a false negative pregnancy test may simply be that you took the test too early. Pregnancy tests vary in how soon they can detect hCG in your urine. It is possible that although an egg may be fertilized, your body has not started secreting enough hCG to register as positive on a test. Your body needs time for the hormone to rise to a high enough level to be detected. Most brands instruct you to wait until the first day of your missed period to test. Remember, hCG rises differently in each woman. If you suspect you are pregnant, even though the test is negative, the test should be repeated in one week. If you are trying to conceive and your period is more than one week late with a negative pregnancy test, you should consider consultation with a fertility doctor so that you can be properly evaluated and treated, if necessary.
What is a late period?A late period is when a woman's menstrual cycle doesn't start as expected, with a normal cycle lasting between 24 to 38 days. When a woman's period is seven days late she may be pregnant although other things may cause a late or skipped period. If your period is late or you’re wondering if you’re pregnant, the days can tick by rather slowly. How long do you have to wait before taking a pregnancy test? The instructions on home pregnancy tests often talk about “your missed period.” What do they mean? In the world of pregnancy testing, a missed period means you expected your menstrual bleeding to have started yesterday, and it still has not started. The day of your expected period depends on what your normal menstrual cycle looks like and when your last period started. The menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of your period to the day before your next period starts. The average cycle is 28 days, with a pattern that looks something like this:
Some women’s menstrual cycles last the same number of days every month. These women can accurately predict the day their period will start. Other women have a menstrual cycle that is a little different each month. Your period is still considered regular as long as it comes every 24 to 38 days. Symptoms of a late period and pregnancyThe symptoms of a late period will be obvious to many women who menstruate regularly. If you were expecting your period, and it doesn’t begin, you’ll know it’s late. Not all periods arrive like clockwork, and it’s very normal for periods to occur on a slightly different schedule. Pregnancy isn’t the only thing that can cause a late or skipped period. But if you’re wondering whether your missing period might mean you’re pregnant, you can look for other early symptoms of pregnancy. During the first 8 weeks of pregnancy, many women experience: 1. Fatigue During the first trimester (weeks 0 to 13 of pregnancy), your body produces large amounts of a hormone called progesterone. This can make you feel sleepy. Even during the first week after conception, you may feel more tired than usual. 2. Spotting Implantation bleeding is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. It is very light bleeding, often called “spotting”, that happens as a result of the fertilized egg implanting (attaching) to the uterine wall. Implantation is usually 6 to 12 days after conception, or the moment the egg is fertilized by a sperm. Some women also have mild abdominal cramps during implantation. Other women don’t notice any symptoms with implantation. 3. Breast Changes You may see changes in your breasts as early as 1 to 2 weeks after conception. Your breasts may be swollen and tender to the touch. You may have soreness or a feeling of fullness in your breasts. 4. Headaches The rapid rise in hormones and blood flow during pregnancy can lead to mild headaches even before a missed period. 5. Missed Period This is often the first symptom women notice. If you are pregnant, you will probably not have regular menstrual bleeding. Some women do have spotting during pregnancy, but it would probably be much lighter and shorter than your usual period. 6. Nausea Morning sickness typically shows up 2 to 8 weeks after conception and goes away by about 14 weeks. Though it is called morning sickness, nausea during pregnancy can happen at any time of the day or night. For many women, symptoms are the worst when they first get up in the morning. Some women experience vomiting with morning sickness, but others do not. 7. Frequent urination Around 6-8 weeks after conception, you may start to feel like you have to pee much more often than usual. This symptom is likely to continue for the rest of your pregnancy. Causes of a late period and pregnancyPregnancy happens when an egg is fertilized by a sperm. But pregnancy is not the only reason for missed or late periods. Some other possible causes include:
QUESTIONThe first sign of pregnancy is most often: See AnswerDiagnosis and tests for a late period and pregnancyHome pregnancy tests check your urine for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) that is only present when you’re pregnant. The body starts making hCG at implantation, and many home pregnancy tests can detect hCG around the day of your expected period. However, it is common to get a false negative in the first few days after a missed period. The amount of hCG in your body increases daily in early pregnancy. If you test too early, there might not be enough hCG for a positive test. Testing one week after a missed period is most likely to give you accurate results. If you’ve had two home pregnancy tests come back negative and still think you’re pregnant, check with your doctor. They can order a blood test that looks for the same hormone but can detect it earlier in the pregnancy. Blood tests can give accurate results as soon as 6 to 8 days after ovulation. If your pregnancy tests come back negative, but you still haven’t had a period, talk to your doctor to determine what might be the cause and if any additional tests or treatment are needed. If you’re trying to conceive, your doctor can perform additional tests or make other suggestions. Treatments for a late period and pregnancyIn general, if you’ve missed a period and you know you’re not pregnant, you don’t need specific treatment or care. However, if you were having a regular cycle and you’ve stopped, if you’re experiencing bleeding at unexpected times, if it’s been more than 45 days since your last period, and if you have additional symptoms that point to other concerns, your doctor will likely look into treatment options. Depending on the cause, your doctor may prescribe hormone therapy like birth control pills or other medication, or they might be able to suggest lifestyle changes to help you have a regular period cycle. If your late period is a sign of pregnancy, your doctor can help you come up with a treatment plan to be sure you receive the proper care and regular checkups throughout your pregnancy. Health NewsHow many days after my period can I get pregnant?Ovulation or the fertile window occurs between days 12 and 20 of your cycle, and studies have reported that you are more likely to become pregnant during this time because an egg is released from your ovary. The exact time depends on the length of your cycle.
You can use fertility awareness as a natural birth control method. This means that if you have a period that lasts between 26 and 32 days, the days 8 through 19 will be the most fertile days. This method, however, works best if you have regular menstrual cycles. There is a one to five percent chance of getting pregnant. Though the fertile window is when you have the best chance of becoming pregnant, you can become pregnant outside of it. Not every woman's cycle is the same number of days and neither is their window. Is there a possibility to get pregnant just after my period has finished?Getting pregnant right after your period is unlikely but not impossible. The chances of becoming pregnant are lower immediately following periods than a few days or a week later.
SLIDESHOW16 Early Signs & Symptoms of Pregnancy: Could You Be Pregnant? See SlideshowOvulation calculatorHow to use this ovulation calculator tool
5 symptoms of ovulationThe female reproductive process of releasing a mature egg from the ovaries and transferring it to the fallopian tubes for insemination is called ovulation. Every month, about two weeks after menstruation begins, one egg is released. The following are some common signs of ovulation:
Ovulation and calendar charting may not be perfect, but they may be fairly accurate. If you are unsure about your last menstrual period or have irregular cycles, the results could be incorrect. The calculators can provide an estimate of the most likely ovulation time. Combining them with ovulation symptoms may be beneficial. These tools are based on averages, and even if you are accurately charting your periods, cycle length and ovulation date may vary with each cycle. These tools are especially useful if you have irregular periods because they calculate average cycle length and give them a wider fertility window in which to conceive. Subscribe to MedicineNet's Pregnancy & Newborns NewsletterBy clicking "Submit," I agree to the MedicineNet Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also agree to receive emails from MedicineNet and I understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet subscriptions at any time. How early can I know my symptoms of pregnancy?Each woman's early pregnancy symptoms are usually unique. You may notice the first signs of pregnancy within a week or two of conception, whereas others may not notice anything for months. It depends on your ability to detect changes in the body and how sensitive you are to those. A blood test, which can detect pregnancy as early as one week after conception, is always an option. During studies, women trying to conceive kept daily records of their symptoms from the time they stopped using birth control until they were eight weeks pregnant. This was based on the first day of their last menstrual period. The outcomes were:
Some pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, can appear as early as a few days after conception, even before a positive pregnancy test. Spotting or cramping
Hormonal changes
Morning sickness and tiredness
Raised basal temperature
Frequent urination
To increase your chances of getting pregnant, try to have sex during the fertile window. It is necessary to engage in sexual activity regularly. Pregnancy rates are the highest among partners who have intercourse every two to three days during the month. Avoid smoking and alcohol and limit your caffeine intake. Tobacco and alcohol use in men can impair sperm quality and thus reduce fertility. It is critical to maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight or underweight can hurt ovulation. FromMedically Reviewed on 2/25/2022 References SOURCES: American Pregnancy Association: "Early Signs of Pregnancy." Kids Health: "Irregular Periods." Office on Women's Health: "Knowing If You are Pregnant." Office on Women's Health: "Your Menstrual Cycle." Office on Women's Health: "Prenatal Care and Tests." National Health Service: "How can I increase my chances of getting pregnant?" University of Michigan: "Missed or Irregular Periods." Fertility Coalition. Your Fertility right time for sex. https://www.yourfertility.org.au/everyone/timing American Pregnancy Association. Can You Get Pregnant on Your Period? https://americanpregnancy.org/can-i-get-pregnant-if/can-you-get-pregnant-on-your-period/ Wilcox AJ, Dunson D, Baird DD. The timing of the "fertile window" in the menstrual cycle: day specific estimates from a prospective study. BMJ. 2000;321(7271):1259-1262. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC27529/ Journey House Pregnancy Resource Center. How Soon After Sex Can I Know If I’m Pregnant? https://journeyhouseenid.org/how-soon-after-sex-can-i-know-if-im-pregnant/ WebMD. Ovulation Calculator. https://www.webmd.com/baby/healthtool-ovulation-calculator Can you get a negative test at 7 days late?The earlier after a missed period that you take a home pregnancy test, the harder it is for the test to detect HCG . For the most accurate results, repeat the test one week after a missed period. If you can't wait that long, ask your health care provider for a blood test.
Why is my period a week late and negative pregnancy test?It is possible that although an egg may be fertilized, your body has not started secreting enough hCG to register as positive on a test. Your body needs time for the hormone to rise to a high enough level to be detected. Most brands instruct you to wait until the first day of your missed period to test.
Is 7 days late too early to test?You should wait to take a pregnancy test until the week after your missed period for the most accurate result. If you don't want to wait until you've missed your period, you should wait at least one to two weeks after you had sex. If you are pregnant, your body needs time to develop detectable levels of HCG.
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