You Might Have Pcos Or A Hormonal Imbalance
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 havepolycystic 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 cant be detected by a normal pregnancy test.
This requires medical attention ASAP, so look out for other symptoms such as:
- sudden, sharp abdominal pain
- cramping in your lower back and pelvic area
If you notice these symptoms, call your doctor right away.
You Are Pregnant But You Have Irregular Periods And Late Ovulation
If you have irregular menstrual cycles, then having a negative test but no period might mean that your ovulation was simply late this month. This will ultimately delay the implantation date, which might have caused you to miscount the number of days when you can finally take the test.
This is why it’s advisable to test a week or two after the day you were expecting your period. If you conceived late in the month, your hCG levels could very well be lower than the pregnancy test can detect, therefore resulting in a false negative.
Your menstrual cycle can be divided into two phases: the follicular phase, which begins on the first day of your period and ends when you ovulate, and the luteal phase, which begins after ovulation and ends when your next period starts.
The luteal phase usually lasts 11-13 days and doesn’t vary much, but the follicular phase could be affected by physical or mental changes, such as exercise, stress, diet, etc.
A negative test and no period could just mean that your period is late because your ovulation started later. Women with irregular periods have a longer window for ovulation, and thus, are particularly prone to miscounting and even having skipped periods.
If you keep getting a negative test but still have no period, then you should consult with your doctor. Major changes in your cycle can be symptoms of other conditions, including but not limited to pregnancy.
Why Does Implantation Bleeding Happen
About 10-14 days after conception , the embryo will implant itself into the wall of the uterus. This movement may break down some blood vessels within the uterus wall and cause some bleeding.
Menstruation occurs around 11-14 days after ovulation , which is another reason why the two are often confused with one another. Some women may simply believe their period is a few days early. Implantation bleeding typically happens within the week before the expected period.
For example, if you are sexually active and expect your period on January 25th, then you might question any spotting you have between Jan. 18th Jan. 25th as possible implantation bleeding. It is not common that implantation bleeding would occur before this time or after a period is expected or missed. However, if one experiences ovulation early in the fertility window and the implantation process is quick, or one experiences ovulation late in the fertility window and the implantation process is slow, it is possible.
Women know what their normal menstrual flow looks like, and as long as they are not on any kind of new medication or have a change in stress level, then their menstrual blood flow, color, and consistency are usually the same. So, when this lighter, pink spotting occurs, it will appear a bit out of place.
Pregnancy is the most typical cause of absent or delayed period in women.
How does pregnancy occur?
Other signs of pregnancy are
- Soreness of the breast
What to do?
Recommended Reading: What Best Describes Fixed Period Settlement Option
Am I Pregnant : : Unprotected Intercourse
So for the last year or so ive been on the depo provera birth control. I have not gotten my last injection due on the 16th of march. And was very lightly bleeding for about a week during that time for the next shot then it stopped for a few days and then started bleeding heavy for the next five days. Finally stopped on april 3. Keep in mind My periods have never been normal. I had unprotected sex on the 8th and 12th and now am lightly spotting. Can i be pregnant?
Dont Miss: Can You Donate Blood While Menstruating
Signs You Might Be Pregnant
What, you hadnt heard of breathing for two?
We at Bustle love giving you tips for how to tap into your sexual potential and troubleshoot when things arent going your way in the bedroom. But what about finding solutions to those stressful sexual health situations that inevitably crop up when youre getting down? Emma Kaywin, a Brooklyn-based sexual health writer and activist, is here to calm your nerves and answer your questions. No gender, sexual orientation, or question is off limits, and all questions remain anonymous. This weeks topic: how to recognize the signs you might be pregnant.
Q: I had sex a couple weeks ago and the condom broke. We only figured it out after. When I talked to my friends about it a few days later, they told me I should have taken the morning after pill, but that now it’s too late. Now my body is feeling all weird, and I’m totally stressed I might be pregnant … but maybe I’m just being paranoid. Is there a way to know without going to the doctor? Are there, like, symptoms of early pregnancy you can detect before a missed period? I know I should go to the gyno to take the test but I’m so nervous and I really don’t want to have to explain all this.
Don’t Miss: How To Stay Fresh During Your Period
Can I Miss My Period For Two Months And Not Be Pregnant
Depending on the cause, yes. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian failure, chronic diseases, and malnutrition can make you miss consecutive periods. Some oral contraceptives can also stop your periods. However, its always a good idea to take a pregnancy test in these cases. If the test is negative, make an appointment with your health care provider to determine the cause of your missed periods.
When To See Your Gp
See your GP if you have not started your periods by the time youre 16. Your GP can assess whether youre going through the normal stages of puberty.
Its also a good idea to see your GP if you have not developed any signs of puberty at all by the age of 14.
You may be advised to wait and see. In many cases your periods will start naturally by the time youre 18.
Your GP may recommend having blood tests to check your hormone levels.
You may be referred to a specialist . Theyll try to establish the cause and will be able to recommend any appropriate treatment.
Recommended Reading: How To Make Period Cramps Go Away
Discharge Before Period: What You Need To Know
The days leading up to a menstrual period are often associated with PMS symptoms such as cramping and bloating.
But the shifts in hormone levels also cause many people with vaginas to experience changes in vaginal discharge.
Most of the time, this increase or decrease in discharge is normal.
However, sometimes discharge before a period may be a sign of infection or pregnancy.
To help you determine when to see a doctor, in this article, Ill first explain what causes discharge before a period.
Then Ill discuss when this discharge may be a concern.
Ill also share how vaginal discharge changes during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
When Should I Call The Doctor
If your PMS is severe, your doctor can help with treatments, including medicine. Call the doctor if you:
- dont feel better after trying home treatments
- feel very sad or hopeless
- ever think about hurting or killing yourself
- cant do your usual activities because of your PMS symptoms
- have PMS symptoms that dont go away after the first few days of your period
Recommended Reading: How Do You Count Your Period Days
Most Common Reasons For Missed Period Negative Pregnancy Test Cramping White Discharge
A one-week late period doesnt always indicate pregnancy. At the same time, a negative pregnancy test doesnt automatically mean youre not pregnant. Most women receive a true positive pregnancy test after 3 weeks of pregnancy, while others get a clear result at the first try. The only way to be sure if youre pregnant is to take a pregnancy test at the right timing or to do a more accurate pregnancy blood test.
If youre experiencing a missed period, cramping, and white discharge with a negative pregnancy test, here are the most common reasons that could explain your condition.
How Many Days After A Missed Period Is A Pregnancy Test Positive
Once youve missed your period, most pregnancy tests are accurate. But some people might have lower hCG levels that cant be detected by tests quite so soon. You can repeat a test 5 to 10 days after missing your period for more accurate results. A blood test can also accurately measure your hCG levels.
References
You May Like: My Periods Are Irregular How Can I Calculate Ovulation
What You Should Know About Pregnancy Discharges
If you become pregnant, even before you miss a period, you may notice an increase in discharge.
In some cases, this discharge may be brown or pink, causing some to confuse it for the start of a period.
Discharge throughout pregnancy is normal.
However, discharge may also indicate an infection.
Because STIs can cause pregnancy complications, and yeast infections are more common during pregnancy, tell your healthcare provider about any discharge changes.
Normal pregnancy discharge should never be green, gray, yellow, or foul-smelling.
I Am Having Cramps Late Period And Got A Negative Pregnancy Test
Light cramps are signs of PMS and may mean that your menstruation will start soon. If it doesnt start in a few days, take a pregnancy test again. If the result remains negative, talk with your doctor about the possible cause. For instance, if youre experiencing serious abdominal pain, it might be a sign of more serious conditions like an ectopic pregnancy, so you should consult a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
You May Like: What Age Can You Get Your Period
The Truth About False Negatives
Depending on when you took the test, you could get a false negative result. Home pregnancy tests arent 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, youre better off waiting at least one more day. Your body needs to have a high enough level of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin 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 dont get your period, take the test again. Its 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, its time to look at other potential causes of your missed period. Amenorrhea 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.
How Home Pregnancy Tests Work
Pregnancy tests are made to detect if a hormone unique to pregnancy called human chorionic gonadotropin is in your urine or blood. This hormone is released by the placenta soon after a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus.
This commonly occurs 6 days after the sperm fertilizes the egg. Every 2-3 days, the hCG levels of pregnant women rapidly increase and double the longer you wait, the more likely a home pregnancy test will detect the hCG in your urine. If you have a regular 28-day cycle, hCG in your urine can be detected 12-15 days after ovulation, or around the time of your missed period.
There are two main types of pregnancy tests:
Also Check: Medicine To Make Your Period Stop
You Are Pregnant But You Have Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
This is extremely rare. Gestational trophoblastic disease occurs when tumors form in the layer of cells called thetrophoblastthat normally surrounds an embryo. The most common form of GTD is called the hydatidiform mole, also known as a molar pregnancy.
These tumors are rarely cancerous, but the pregnancy usually ends in miscarriage because the embryo cannot form. Very rarely can a healthy baby emerge from a GTD pregnancy.
Feeling Nauseous And Sick
Morning sickness affects everyone differently. It can be feelings of nausea or make you physically sick, and it can start a few weeks after conception or even after just a few days. If youre lucky, you may not experience morning sickness at all.
And dont be fooled by the name morning sickness can strike at any time of day or night, not just in the mornings!
Also Check: Getting A Brazilian Wax On Your Period
Why Is It Negative
While home pregnancy tests have improved over the years and are an extremely accurate predictor of pregnancy, there have still been many instances of a test giving a false negative result.
What Counts As Spotting
Spotting is considerably lighter than most bleeding during your period. You may notice it on your underwear or when you wipe. It is usually dark brown or red and lasts up to a few days.
If you’re not having the typical symptoms that you have during your period, like cramps or breast tenderness, that’s an indicator that the bleeding is spotting.
You may spot at the very beginning or end of your period. It’s also very common to spot early in a pregnancy.
You May Like: Yellow Discharge Before Period Could I Be Pregnant
Home Pregnancy Test Accuracy
If used correctly and at the right time, home pregnancy tests are fairly accurate at detecting pregnancy. Used correctly means that you read the directions and follow them. Each test has slightly different directions, so if using different brands, its important to read the directions. Also, using the test at the right time makes a difference in accuracy. Women who test too early will get inaccurate results.
The absolute best time to take any pregnancy test is a few days after a missed period. This is when the hormone hCG, the pregnancy hormone produced by the growing balls of cells if there is indeed a pregnancy, is most easily detected by home pregnancy tests. Too soon before that and you may get a false negative as your body has not produced enough hCG.
Some tests do claim that they can get you early results, meaning results before your next expected period. If you truly read their statements, however, youll find that the early results are only possible for a small percentage of women, not every woman. Its most likely a marketing ploy to encourage you to take more tests and hence spend more money.
I have had three different experiences with home pregnancy tests. With my first pregnancy, I saw a positive result on the day of my expected period. With my second pregnancy, I didnt get a positive result until almost my sixth week of pregnancy . With my third, I was able to test two days before my expected period and get a positive result.
Why Am I Not Getting My Period At All
The medical term for absent periods is amenorrhea, and is considered to occur when a woman who has previously had normal periods stops menstruating for six months or more. Many of the causes of amenorrhea are the same as those for a skipped period. Your period can be absent for a number of reasons:
Pregnancy
The most common reason to not get your period is because you are pregnant. A home pregnancy test can quickly tell you if that is the reason.
Menopause
Most women stop getting their periods in their late 40s or early 50s. The average age is 51 years old.
Breastfeeding
If you breastfeed frequently, including at night-time, you may not get a period for many months. Be aware that you will ovulate prior to getting your period back, so birth control is important if you are not ready to be pregnant again.
Stress
While a sudden stressful life event can result in a single missed period, ongoing, high level stress and anxiety can cause your period to stop altogether. Managing stress though self-care, counselling, changing your life circumstances, medication, or other strategies can help you return to having normal periods.
Weight loss
Ongoing, dramatic weight loss, from low intake, excessive exercise, gastric bypass surgery, or eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia can stop your period. This happens because the hormones required for ovulation are not produced.
Underweight
Recommended Reading: Can I Still Be Pregnant After My Period