Youre Having An Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg impacts in a womans body outside of her uterus.
A baby cannot grow outside the uterus so an ectopic pregnancy will not develop into a healthy fetus.
During an ectopic pregnancy, the body produces lower levels of hCG than in a healthy uterine pregnancy.
You wont have your usual period, but these low levels of pregnancy hormones mean that a home pregnancy test is less likely to detect them.
Read our blog post which answers 7 common questions about ectopic pregnancies to understand more about ectopic pregnancy, how to find out if youre having one, and how it will be treated when you go to the doctor.
Do I Have To Take The Test First Thing In The Morning
Not unless you are testing early. Otherwise your test should detect hCG any time of day if you are pregnant. However, if youre taking a pregnancy test before your missed period, its better to test first thing in the morning when concentrations of hCG are the highest.
You can also dilute the amount of hCG in your urine by drinking too much liquid, so try not to drink more than you usually would.
Discharge Lower Back Pain Mild Cramping Late Period
Guestover a year ago
For sexually-active women in their reproductive years who aren’t taking any form of hormonal birth control that is known to have the potential to lead to absent periods, pregnancy is of course the main suspect whenever a menstrual period is delayed. What if your first pregnancy test came back negative, and subsequent ones do too, but there’s still no sign of “aunt flo”, though?
On this thread, inquiring and worried minds want to know.
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When To See A Doctor
A person should see a doctor if they miss more than two periods.
Sometimes, a slight change in hormones can cause changes in the natural menstrual cycle. This is not typically a cause for concern.
At other times, symptoms such as a missed period and gassy stomach may be signs of a more serious condition that needs treatment.
If symptoms continue or get worse, a person should visit their doctor. Likewise, anyone who misses more than two periods should see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Anyone experiencing the following symptoms, along with signs of ectopic pregnancy or other potentially serious issues, should see a doctor immediately:
- pain in the lower pelvis
- abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as dark-colored blood
You Probably Have Endometriosis
Endometriosis can result in severe abdominal pain, no period or pregnancy symptoms
Within the uterus and during your period, the endometrium is washed out through the vaginal canal Sometimes, its possible the endometrium goes through the fallopian tubes into the abdomen, ovaries, and outer surfaces of the uterus.
If this happens, you should feel severe belly pain that is worse before, during and after period.
If you are experiencing cramps that are now severe while menstruating, its likely endometriosis.
Other symptoms are
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How Do I Use A Home Pregnancy Test
All home pregnancy tests come with written instructions. Depending on the brand you buy, the instructions may vary:
- You hold a stick in your urine stream.
- You pee into a cup and dip the stick into it.
- You pee into a cup and then use a dropper to put a few drops of the urine into a special container.
Different brands tell you to wait different amounts of time, although most are around 2 minutes. Depending on the brand of the test, you may see a line or a plus symbol, or the words “pregnant” or “not pregnant.” A line or plus symbol, no matter how faint, means the result is positive.
Most tests also have a “control indicator” in the result window. This control line or symbol shows whether the test is working properly. If the control line or symbol does not appear, the test is not working properly.
Look for the toll-free phone number on the package to call in case of questions about use or results.
A Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Has Affected You
Your pregnancy test might come back negative if you are pregnant, but your reproductive organs are affected by a tumor in the trophoblast.
The trophoblast is a layer of cells surrounding the newly fertilized egg or embryo after conception. It helps the embryo to implant itself in the uterus. Also, these cells make up a large part of the placentathe organ that delivers nutrients to a developing fetus.
GTD is a rare pregnancy condition in which womb cells trophoblast divide abnormally, leading to tumors. One of the most common types of GTD is the hydatidiform mole, also called molar pregnancy.
A tumor of this type seldom causes cancer, but the pregnancy usually ends in miscarriage, as the embryo cannot be formed. A GTD pregnancy is rarely successful in producing a healthy child.
Following are the few signs and symptoms of GTD:
- Bleeding lasts longer than six weeks after delivery, miscarriage, or abortion.
- An unusually large uterus when pregnant
- Overactive thyroid
- Anemia
Other conditions related to gynecology and pregnancy may also exhibit the same symptoms like those listed above. In any case, the only way for you to determine if GTD causes your symptoms is to see a doctor.
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Youre Having A Molar Pregnancy
A molar pregnancy also called Gestational Trophoblastic Disease is a very rare pregnancy abnormality. It happens when there is an extra chromosome in the male sperm, or when the sperm fertilizes an empty egg.
You can read more about molar pregnancies here.
Its uncommon for an embryo to grow at the same time as a molar pregnancy and if there is an embryo, it is highly unlikely to develop into a surviving fetus.
As molar pregnancies dont typically cause a rise in the pregnancy hormone hCG, home pregnancy tests will not usually detect them.
So Am I Pregnant Or Not
It is possible to miss a period and not be pregnant.
But its also possible to have a negative pregnancy test but no period when you are pregnant.
Pregnancy hormones and the tests that detect them are delicate and easily affected by a variety of factors.
Whether youre trying to get pregnant or not, dont panic.
Take a deep breath.
Take another pregnancy test a few days after the first one if you can manage to wait.
And if youre still unsure, head to the doctor to get a conclusive answer.
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Could It Be Menopause
OK, this ones probably pretty unlikely as the average age for periods ending due to menopause is around 50.
However, in extreme cases, missed or erratic periods can begin as early as a womans 30s or as late as her 60s.
Wed say this probably isnt one to think on too much unless youve missed loads of periods, completely abnormally, or you have a family history of early menopause.
You Are Pregnant But Your Hormone Levels Are Low
Home pregnancy tests work by picking up on a pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin .
Levels of this hormone rise quickly in your body as soon as the egg implants into the wall of the uterus.
If youre testing quite early either before the first day of your missed period, or just a few days after the levels of hCG in your urine may not be high enough for a positive test result even if you are pregnant.
Some HPTs can detect the hCG hormone at very low levels but many of them are not so sensitive.
In addition, in very early pregnancy if you use a pregnancy test late in the day when youve already consumed lots of water or other fluids, the strength of the hormones in your urine will be diluted.
Thats why its best to use your first wee of the day for a pregnancy test.
This is one of the most common reasons for a negative test in early pregnancy. Wait a few days and then test again.
Heres a short video about Pregnancy Hormones you can look into:
At the beginning of a healthy pregnancy hCG levels double every day, so if you are pregnant it wont be long before a home pregnancy test can confirm it.
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Ectopic Pregnancy Delays Hcg Production
Another rare cause of false-negative pregnancy results is ectopic pregnancy.
Typically, an egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube and implants in the uterus wall. But, in some cases, the egg implants and growth are other than the uterus wall. Mostly it happens in the fallopian tube but can also occur in the ovary, abdominal cavity, or cervix.
Therefore, the body will not produce enough hCG and other pregnancy hormones but can cause severe pain in the lower abdominal cavity. Consequently, it can result in a negative pregnancy test.
Nevertheless, it may cause a positive pregnancy test, but it is not normal. Indeed, a fetus cant grow normally in this case. The fallopian tube can rupture if the fertilized egg remains in it for a prolonged period. It is likely to cause heavy bleeding in the abdomen.
Even though it is a rare cause, it can be life-threatening. Therefore, it should be diagnosed and cured early to prevent serious consequences.
Following are a few symptoms of life-threatening ectopic pregnancy:
- Missed period
- Vaginal bleeding
Can A Baby Survive An Ectopic Pregnancy?
As I mentioned earlier, fertilized eggs implant outside the uterus wall in ectopic pregnancy. Sadly, this pregnancy is fatal for the mother and fetus.
Certainly, the uterus is perfectly suited for the growing egg because it can expand and stretch as the baby grows. On the other hand, the fallopian tube and other reproductive organs are not flexible.
Period 4 Days Late With A Negative Pregnancy Test
My menstrual cycle is 4 days late. I have been having a lot of backache and abdomen pain. I have been under a lot of stress lately, especially wondering if Im pregnant. So I purchased an EPT pregnancy test. Within 1 minute it showed 1 line which means you are not pregnant. Do you think this is precise? I also have been taking Fema Fresh, a feminine capsule, that helps females feel fresh and a few times I have used the Norforms feminine deodorant suppositories. Can these products affect my cycle as well as stress? Andrea
Andrea,
I dont believe Fema Fresh or Norforms Suppositories would affect your cycle. Too much stress definitely can. However, dont base everything on one urine pregnancy test, especially one taken only 4 days after your period was late. Though EPT pregnancy tests are known for being accurate and can be taken the day you expect your period, I would still recommend you take the pregnancy test again. The amount of the pregnancy hormone hCG, which is what makes urine pregnancy tests work, can vary based on the individual. After having your period late for one week, Id recommend repeating the test in the morning when your hCG levels would be highest.
If the results are still negative, set up an appointment with your family doctor and see if something else is causing the backaches and abdominal pain. There very well may be something else which is causing an adverse reaction in your body.
Best of luck,
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Symptoms Shared Between Pms And Early Pregnancy
So what symptoms commonly happen during both early pregnancy and PMS? According to Count Down to Pregnancys surveys of pregnant and non-pregnant women, at 12 DPO , which is usually two days before your period is supposed to start, its common for both pregnant and non-pregnant women to experience:
- Tiredness. Im always so, so tired in the day or two leading up to my period. Likewise, I found myself worn out just from doing my hair in the morning during the early days of both of my pregnancies.
- Slight cramps. With my first daughter, I had so many signs that I was about to start my period that, including cramps that felt just like the start of my menstrual cycle, that it didnt occur to me to take a pregnancy test until I was already late.
- Gas and bloating. If youre suddenly bloated and gassy it can be easy to suspect pregnancy, but these symptoms are also super common right before your period starts.
If youre wondering why so many PMS symptoms are similar to early pregnancy symptoms, its because progesterone increases before your period starts and it increases in early pregnancy. So whether youre pregnant or not, theres certain symptoms youre almost certain to experience right around the time your period is due each month and oftentimes the only way to tell if theyre due to pregnancy or PMS is if you miss your period.
How Soon Can You Take A Pregnancy Test
The sensitivity of each pregnancy test is variable, but the soonest the most sensitive test can detect a pregnancy is at least 12 days after conception. Conception happens around the time a woman ovulates and, in a typical 28-day cycle, ovulation happens on or around day 14. This means that if you have a 28-day cycle, the earliest time you can take a test and get an accurate result is four weeks after the first day of your last period.
Long and Irregular Cycles
Many women have long or irregular cycles. If you have not been carefully tracking your ovulation cycles, or if you can’t predict it, it is hard to say when the earliest possible time is for an accurate result is. For women with long or irregular cycles, or if you don’t know exactly what your cycle is, it is best to wait for the day the next cycle is supposed to begin to take the home test.
Wait a Week
It’s hard to play the waiting game, but try to wait for a week to see if your period starts. If not, take a new test.
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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.
Late Period But Negative Pregnancy Test & No Symptoms
Late period negative pregnancy test no symptoms mean that you are not pregnant.
There are many reasons for late period negative pregnancy test no symptoms.
Late period negative pregnancy test no symptoms mean that you are not pregnant. If you have Late period negative pregnancy test no symptoms but feel extreme pain, then consult a doctor.
Late period negative pregnancy test after IVF is because your body needs time to build up hCG. It is nothing to worry about.
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Your Ovaries Aren’t Working Properly
Sometimes, the ovaries simply fail to work. Which really does suck. Especially when you dont know why.
Fortunately, if this ends up being the case, there are drugs that can help give your ovaries a boost like Clomid and Metformin.
These drugs are only available on prescription, and are usually thought of as the first step to other fertility treatments.
When To Take A Pregnancy Test
A woman should take a pregnancy test whenever she thinks she may be pregnant. Since it can take up to a week for hCG levels to rise, it is best to wait a good seven days or so after a missed period to take a home pregnancy test.
Levels of hCG can also be measured by a blood test. But this is usually done in a healthcare providers office. If you get a negative result, you can recheck in a week or so with another at-home test to be sure.
Take a pregnancy test seven days after your missed period. Recheck in another week if the test is negative.
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Wait Until At Least 24 Hours After Your Period Should Have Started
While some tests claim to work days before your period is even due, a test cant force your body into producing HCG, and it doesnt know when you ovulated.
If you decide to try those early detection tests, be prepared for a potential false negative. If your result is negative, relax until at least a day after your period shouldve started, then test again. We know that waiting is the hardest part, but it will save you time, money, and your sanity.
Low Levels Of Hcg Hormone Produced By The Placenta
The reason for getting a negative pregnancy test is that hCG levels are still not sufficient enough. It could be because your placenta is taking more than normal time to form.
It is the placenta that secrets the hormone hCG. Pregnancy tests detect this hormone. If your body doesnt produce enough hCG, then pregnancy test will not detect it.
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Light Bleeding In Early Pregnancy
Some light bleeding or spotting, like a light period, can be a sign of pregnancy. Some women say they also have some cramps in their lower tummy. This is called implantation bleeding and happens when the embryo plants itself in the wall of your womb.
This type of bleeding often happens around the time your period would have been due. It shouldnt be enough to soak through pads or underwear.
If you are bleeding and know you are pregnant, call your GP, midwife or Early Pregnancy Unit. They can check you over, just in case. Find out more about bleeding in pregnancy.