My Period Is Late But I Have Cramps

Home Pregnancy Test Accuracy

I missed my period and have cramps, but the pregnancy test is negative. What’s happening?

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, it’s 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, you’ll find that the early results are only possible for a small percentage of women, not every woman. It’s 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 didn’t 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.

Can You Miss A Period And Not Be Pregnant

Yes! Pregnancy isnt the only thing that can cause a missed period. Hormonal imbalances, such as those caused by polycystic ovary syndrome or follicular cysts, can make you miss your period. Stress, hormonal birth control, excessive exercise, malnutrition, breastfeeding, chronic diseases, and certain drugs can all cause you to miss a period.

How Soon Can You Tell If You Are Pregnant

Most health care providers recommend that you wait until the first day of your missed period to take a pregnancy test, because taking a test too soon after conception can lead to a false-negative result. However, some tests are more sensitive than others and can be taken as soon as 7 to 12 days after conception. The most precise way to determine pregnancy is to take a blood test to measure your level of hCG.

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Late Period: Everything You Need To Know

Having a late period might come as a surprise, especially if youre not trying to get pregnant. Should you take a pregnancy test? The truth is, there are many reasons for late periods other than pregnancy. Your health, age, diet, stress, and exercise can all affect the regularity of your menstrual cycle. In this article, well look at the most common late period causes and go over some common questions about delayed menstruation.

You Had Your Baby Terminated

I Have Cramps And Light Bleeding But No Period

Its possible you never attempted to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, got pregnant and had an abortion.

If this happens, your hormones will get disrupted for a while and your period will not show up as usual.

In most women who undergo an abortion, it takes about 1 2 months for period to return. Sometimes, if youve had a complication during a D & C, your period may be delayed too due to Asherman syndrome.

Ten days late period is not abnormal after an abortion and your period will come in few days time. Talk to your doctor if period gets missing for two months.

Read Also: What Are The Symptoms Of A Girl Starting Her Period

Feeling Nauseous And/or Being Sick

New pregnancy hormones are flooding your body and, for some women, the reaction to this is to feel sick. Some women feel slightly queasy and others may actually be sick. This is commonly known as morning sickness but it can happen at any time of the day.

You might be more sensitive to smells, including food and cooking.

If you cant keep any food or water down talk to your midwife or GP because there is a risk that you may become dehydrated.

Can You Have Period Pain When You Arent On Your Period

It is possible to experience the symptoms of your period without actually having your period including the following symptoms:

  • Stomach cramps
  • Mood swings
  • Feeling sick

It can be a sign of irregular periods

These symptoms might not be related to your periods at all there can be several causes and so potentially it is possible to have the symptoms you would expect to have when you are on your period, but not have a period at all. Instead, you may have similar symptoms which are caused by something else.

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Period 10 Days Late White Discharge And Cramping: Am I Pregnant

Question: Why is my period 10 days late with white discharge and abdominal cramps?

A delayed or early period can cause women to panic especially after an unprotected sexual intercourse.

If youve missed your period for ten days now, its likely youre itching to know if its pregnancy or not.

The truth is during pregnancy your menstrual period will stop coming. This is not abnormal and could be the reason your period is delayed for 10 days.

This is more so if youve not practiced safe sex with your partner or if you are not on contraceptive pills.

Unsafe sexual intercourse without using an emergency pill may also result in pregnancy.

Alternatively, you should know there are other reasons for 10 days late period. In fact, stress, not having enough rest, losing too much weight, over-functioning thyroid, and a postinor pill will delay your period.

This article explains causes of 10 days late period, and when you ought to worry.

You Are Taking Contraceptive Or Inserted Iuds

My Period is Late, But I’m Cramping!

Did you start any pill to prevent pregnancy? or recently inserted an intrauterine device ?

Contraceptive pill and IUDs can cause no period in women. If pills are taken continuously without a break you will possibly not have to bleed at all.

It is very important to let your health professional know about your late period. The reason being that, there are newer generation pills that can delay period for a few months.

However, your 5 days late period while on contraceptives may still be due to pregnancy.

Did you miss your COC pills for days without using other forms of contraception? Do you have signs of pregnancy body fatigue, pain in your breast or spotting before your period?

You have to check for pregnancy to be sure.

Other reasons your period is 5 days late are

Also Check: Is It Possible To Be Pregnant While On Your Period

Food And Odor Aversions Or Cravings

Aversions to certain foods or odors are caused by your bodys hormonal changes during the first trimester of pregnancy. You may start to despise the way your favorite dinner smells or tastes, or, on the flip side, you may crave certain snacks, meals, beverages or food combinations.

When it comes to cravings or aversions, listen to your body. Its okay to occasionally indulge in late-night ice cream runsjust don’t overdo it. Talk to your OBGYN if youre unable to stomach major food groups like vegetables or whole grains. The two of you can discuss foods that can easily be substituted in.

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

Obesity

High levels of prolactin

Ashermans syndrome

Absent uterus

Premature ovarian failure

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You Took Emergency Contraception

If you had unprotected sexual intercourse and took emergency pills, your period can be delayed for days.

Emergency pills function by preventing ovulation from taking place. If taken as soon as possible and prior to ovulation, your chances of becoming pregnant are slim.

However, you could still get pregnant if pills are not taken properly.

What can you do?

If you are worried about pregnancy, you shouldnt. Pills, when taken within 24 hours of intercourse, have an increased chance of protection. However, if you took your pills very late or have symptoms of pregnancy, you can confirm your pregnancy status by testing.

Tips To Relieve Discomfort

My period is late but my pregnancy test is negative ...

There are home treatments to help alleviate the pain, pressure, or discomfort at the first signs of cramping but no period, or when you are not expecting your period at all.

  • Lie down to rest quietly.
  • Use a heating pad or hot water bottle on the location of the cramping.
  • Take a warm bath to relax the muscles.
  • Go for a relaxing walk.
  • Gently rub your abdomen.
  • Drink herbal tea or arm water with lemon.

Any pain or discomfort of cramping with no period starting within two weeks should be checked out by a medical professional to rule out any of the underlying health conditions we touched on.

Whether you have cramps but no period is expected to start or your period seems delayed, you may want to mentally note any accompanying symptoms.

A wide range of health conditions may be present with mild to severe cramping, depending on the underlying cause.

Cramps associated with slightly concerning issues will usually subside after several days. During this time, there are home remedies to help lessen or eliminate the pain. If your condition worsens or does not improve within two weeks, you may want to talk to your gynecologist or family physician.

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A Late Period Under 16

Many teenagers want to know why their period is late. For many, the first few years of menstruation involve irregular periods.

The body is still developing in this stage of life, and a teens ovaries do not always release an egg monthly. This may result in irregular cycles fewer than 20 or more than 45 days. A typical cycle for teenagers lasts between 21 and 45 days.

Having fluctuating periods for two years or less during adolescence is likely nothing to worry about. Your health care provider can conduct a physical exam to make sure everythings healthy. Teens cycles start to regulate as their hormone levels stabilize, although some will still have irregular cycles on an ongoing basis.

Continue monitoring your body. When your period comes, use Flo to log the date and your symptoms. The app can help you better predict your period, even if you have an irregular cycle.

What Causes Cramps No Period And White Discharge

If youve missed a period, have cramping and a white discharge from your vagina, you may be pregnant, although there are other causes for these symptoms.

Vaginal discharge is normal. During your menstrual cycle, your vaginal discharge will usually change in colour and texture. A few days before your period starts, your vaginal discharge may be cloudy or white. This means white vaginal discharge and cramping could mean your period is late.

Cramping without a period could also be a sign of irregular periods, endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

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When To See Your Gp

See your GP if you have not started your periods by the time you’re 16. Your GP can assess whether you’re going through the normal stages of puberty.

It’s 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 you’re 18.

Your GP may recommend having blood tests to check your hormone levels.

You may be referred to a specialist . They’ll try to establish the cause and will be able to recommend any appropriate treatment.

Period 10 Days Late White Discharge What Does It Mean

I missed my period, have stomach cramps, and heartburn. Am I pregnant?

If your period is delayed for a day or two, it may not mean a serious problem because hormones can sometimes fluctuate due to stress, sleep deprivation, strenuous exercise, and weight loss.

However, period 10 days late white discharge occurs because your body increases pregnancy hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones get increased in early pregnancy and stimulate your body to discharge more.

See other causes of excessive dischargehere.

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When Should I Call The Doctor

If your PMS is severe, your doctor can help with treatments, including medicine. Call the doctor if you:

  • don’t feel better after trying home treatments
  • feel very sad or hopeless
  • ever think about hurting or killing yourself
  • can’t do your usual activities because of your PMS symptoms
  • have PMS symptoms that don’t go away after the first few days of your period

Diagnosis And Tests For A Late Period And Pregnancy

There are both at-home tests and blood tests available to determine if pregnancy has occurred. Both are considered safe methods of detecting pregnancy.

  • At-home tests: These test your urine for a pregnancy hormone called hCG. At-home tests are easy, quick, and convenient. However, they are not able to detect pregnancy as early as blood tests. They are most accurate if you wait one week after a missed period to use them.
  • Blood tests: Blood tests require a visit to your doctor. But they can detect pregnancy much earlier than at-home tests.

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