Rare Causes Of Test Malfunction
A rare, counterintuitive cause for a false negative is that you are too far along in your pregnancy. For example, if your period is weeks to months late, a pregnancy test might come up negative. This is called the variant hook effect.
Another unusual but possible reason for a false negative is that youre expecting triplets or even twins. In this case, a false negative pregnancy test can be caused by what is known as the high dose hook effect. Ironically, unusually high levels of hCG can cause a pregnancy test to give a false negative result.
A very rare cause of a false negative pregnancy test is when the hCG hormone in your body does not react with the anti-hCG chemicals in the test. In this case, you might need to wait a few more days before you can get a positive result or need to have a blood test.
You might ultimately need to have a serum pregnancy blood test or ultrasound to confirm pregnancy.
If you still havent gotten your period after a few more days, try the test again. If subsequent tests continue to show a negative pregnancy test result, youll want to talk to your healthcare provider about further testing.
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When To Talk To Your Doctor About A Late Or Missing Period
Most people who menstruate dont have a perfectly regular cycle. A couple days off here or there generally isnt cause for concern . However, you should speak with your doctor if youve ruled out a pregnancy and:
- You havent had a period in over three months
- Your periods are suddenly irregular
- You notice there are more than 35 days between your periods
- Your period lasts for more than seven days
- You bleed between periods
- Your periods are extremely heavy
- Your periods are extremely painful
Any of the above could indicate a more serious underlying condition and, regardless, you should always bring up worrying menstrual cycle changes to your healthcare provider or ObGyn.12
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You’ve Been Getting Less Sleep Than Usual
Our bodies need sleep for a number of reasons, including regulating our temperature and ensuring our organs are functioning normally. Since the uterus itself is an organ, it should come as no surprise that a lack of sleep can negatively impact its ability to do its job.
In 2008, The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reported that individuals with sleep disorders, like delayed sleep syndrome, were highly likely to have irregular menstrual periods.
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Your Weight Has Been Fluctuating
According to UC Riverside Health, both the ovaries and fat cells throughout the body produce estrogen. This means a sudden increase or decrease in weight can alter your period.
A 2012 study published in the Endocrinology and Metabolism Journal also found that irregular periods are more prevalent in individuals who suddenly gain or lose weight.
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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Why Is My Period Late On Birth Control
Contraceptives can help regulate your periods, but other factors including stress, diet, and changes in weight can still affect your menstrual cycle. It’s also possible to experience oligomenorrhea, infrequent or abnormally light bleeding, while using contraceptives.
Possible Reasons Why Your Periods Are Late
May 20, 2021 North Atlanta Women’s Care
While pregnancy is a possible reason for a missed or late period, other medical and lifestyle factors can delay your periods. This can include weight fluctuations, hormonal imbalances, stress, and menopause. Being aware of these conditions will help you identify and treat them on time to regularize your menstrual cycle.
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A Change In Your Schedule
Changing schedules can throw off your body clock. If you frequently change work shifts from days to nights, or if your schedule is generally all over the place, your period can be fairly unpredictable.
A change in your schedule shouldn’t cause you to completely miss your period, but it can cause your period to start earlier or later than expected. Your cycle can also change by a few days if you experience jet lag.
Various Reasons Your Period Can Be Late When You Are Not Pregnant
Many people can automatically assume that they may be pregnant when their period is late, but many things can affect your monthly menstrual cycle and cause it to be late. It does not have to be because you are pregnant, which may be a relief to some people, and many things can make you late. Below are some of the various things that can cause your period to be late so you can understand more about your monthly cycle and what affects it better.
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How To Induce Your Period
Whether or not you can jump start your period or encourage it to happen depends on the root cause of the delay. In the long-term, Dr. Speichinger says that addressing some of the issues that can cause late or missed periods can help get your cycle back on track. Reducing your stress levels, getting adequate rest, cutting back on excessive exercise if youre an athlete, and normalizing your weight can reset your cycle if those things have caused the disruption in the first place.
There are also medication options that may be available to you, especially if your late period is because of a hormone imbalance. Typically, we can start with a progesterone challenge to a withdrawal period, Dr. Speichinger explains.
A progesterone challenge test involves taking progesterone orally for about 10 days, then stopping the progesterone to see if withdrawal bleeding occurs. If it does, there may be an issue with ovulation if it doesnt, the problem may be related to estrogen levels. Dr. Speichinger notes that sometimes there is a second step to the progesterone challenge, where estrogen is given first and followed by progesterone, to cause the withdrawal period.
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This test can tell your womens health provider a lot about your hormonal levels, as well as the health of the lining of your uterus. It can make the next steps clearer for you and your provider as you look for the source of your late or missed periods.
How Late Can A Period Be Without Being Pregnant
Some people have their period every 28 days like clockwork. But most people will experience a late or missed period at least once without being pregnant, and thats perfectly normal.
For many, a late period can trigger thoughts of potential pregnancy. But a late period doesnt necessarily mean that youre pregnant.
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What Counts As A Late Period
Despite what you may have thought, a one- or two-day delay in menstruation doesnt actually count as a late period.
Your period is officially late when its been more than 35 dayssince the start of your last menstrual cycle. Most menstruators have their periods about every 28 days. When its been more than 35 days since youve noticed any menstrual blood in your underwear, it could be a signal that something abnormal is happening within your body and that you may want to start paying closer attention to any other physical changes.1
How To Know If Your Period Is Late
It can be hard to know if your period is late, if you donât know your average cycle length or when your last period was. With Clue you can view your recent period dates, cycle averages and predictions for your next three cycles. You can set a reminder to let you know when your period is coming, and to alert you if itâs late.
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You Used Emergency Contraception Sometime In The Past Few Months
If youve taken emergency contraception, like Plan B, as a precautionary measure after unprotected sex, theres a chance it could be making your period very late. Princeton reported several studies that showed menstrual cycle lengths were altered after women took emergency contraception.
However, if your period is more than a week late and you recently took emergency contraception, The Center for Womens Health suggests seeing your health care provider.
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Period 2 Weeks Late Negative Pregnancy Test
This situation arises when either you have a chemical pregnancy, or you are using a defective pregnancy test. An expired pregnancy test cannot detect pregnancy no matter how high the hCG level be. A pregnancy test has life because the dye can function for a limited time. 2 weeks late period negative pregnancy test is enough for you to get alert that something is not right.
Period 2 weeks late spotting negative pregnancy test is a sign that you have implantation. Implantation bleeding is spotting and a symptom of pregnancy.
Implantation is the process of attachment of the embryo to the uterus lining. Only after implantation, the placenta starts forming the hCG hormone.
The hCG hormone comes in urine after implantation.
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When To See Your Gp
See your GP if you’re not pregnant you’ve had a negative pregnancy test and you’ve missed more than 3 periods in a row.
If you’re sexually active and you have not taken a pregnancy test, your GP may advise you to take one.
They may also ask you about:
- your medical history
- any emotional issues you’re having
- any recent changes in your weight
- the amount of exercise you do
Your GP may recommend waiting to see whether your periods return on their own. In some cases you may need treatment for your periods to return.
You should also see your GP if your periods stop before you’re 45 or if you’re still bleeding when you’re over 55.
How Late Can A Period Be
A typical menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, but depending on the woman, a healthy cycle can be a short as 21 or as long as 35 days. Track your period over several months to look for cycle patterns and changes . This will help you figure out what a normal menstrual cycle usually looks like for you.
A period is usually considered late if it hasnt started within seven days of when you expect it .
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Under Or Overactive Thyroid
The thyroid gland is sort of like your bodys internal thermometer, regulating functions such as internal temperature and metabolism. An overactive or underactive thyroid is one reason why your menstrual cycle could be wonky.
According to reproductive endocrinologists at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut, too high or low hormone levels produced by the thyroid can cause late, missed, or irregular periods, and even menstrual spotting between cycles or menorrhagia, which is abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding during periods.
Dont Ignore A Missed Period
If you keep track of your periods, youll probably know right away if something is amiss. Keep a period diary in your calendar or get an app designed for that purpose. Your period records can provide valuable information for you and your doctor.
Doctors want to know details about your previous periods so we can determine if theres an issue, Dr. Higgins says. An occasional late period is often the result of something minor, but if you frequently have late or irregular periods, check with your doctor to rule out other health conditions.
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Youre In Early Menopause
Early menopause, also known as premature ovarian insufficiency, happens when your ovaries stop working before you turn 40.
When your ovaries are not working the way they should, they stop producing multiple hormones, including estrogen. As your estrogen levels drop to all-time lows, you will begin to experience the symptoms of menopause.
Late or missed periods may be an early sign. You may also experience:
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.
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Is It Normal To Miss A Period
There are several times in a persons life when irregular periods are expected: when a person first starts having periods , during breastfeeding, and at the beginning of perimenopause . On average, most people get their periods every 28 days. But a healthy persons menstrual cycle can last from 21 to 35 days. Apart from puberty, menopause, and pregnancy, a missed period may indicate a health issue.
Impact Of Urine Infections On Periods
Urinary Tract Infection is a common bacterial infection in women, with every one in two women affected by it at some point in time. When bacteria enter the bladder through the urethra and starts to multiply, it results in urinary tract infection. Most of the times UTI is caused by the bacterium E.coli. This bacterium is found in the digestive tract and skin around the vagina. If it enters the urinary tract, it can cause a painful and a severe infection.
The common symptoms of urinary tract infection are burning sensation while urinating, frequent urination, pain in the lowerabdomen, cloudy urine, sudden urge to urinate, loss of bladder control , strong urine odor, and vaginal irritation. If you have any ofthese symptoms, immediately visit a doctor. Your doctor will prescribe youantibiotics to treat the infection. It is also advised to drink lots of wateras it helps to clean the bladder.
Impact of urine infections on periods
Some standard measures that you can take to avoid UTIs are
- always wipe from front to back after urinating and bowel movement,
- pee after intercourse,
- wash the genitals after sex to clear out bacteria,
- avoid holding urine for long periods of time,
- drink lots of water,
- keep the genitals clean and dry,
- during periods change your sanitary napkin or tampon frequently and
- Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice also helps prevent UTIs.
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Overactive Or Underactive Thyroid
Your thyroid is responsible for helping to regulate your bodys metabolism. If anything goes wrong with it, then it could cause an imbalance in your bodys hormones. Signs of an underactive or overactive thyroid include excessive fatigue, a rapid heartbeat and mood swings. Thyroid disorders are easily diagnosed with a simple blood test and physical exam.
How Do Urine Pregnancy Tests Work
Pregnancy tests look for the pregnancy hormone hCG, which increases as a pregnancy progresses. The normal range for hCG levels in pregnant people can vary widely. Its possible that your levels arent yet high enough to be detected .
An early pregnancy test might pick up very low amounts of hCG. However, its possible that you dont have enough circulating hCG to get a positive result even on a sensitive test.
This doesnt mean anything is wrong. How much hCG you have isnt important rather, its how quickly your levels double and increase .
Another common reason for getting a false negative is not having enough hCG in the urine you test. In early pregnancy, you can dilute the hormone concentration in your urine if you drink a lot of water before testing.
This is more likely to happen in very early pregnancy when you take the test later in the day. The hCG concentration is higher when youve held your urine for a while, which is why its recommended that you take a pregnancy test in the morning.
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Home Urine Pregnancy Tests
- Home urine pregnancy tests do not cost very much. They are easy to use. Most drugstores sell these tests. No prescription is needed.
- Urine pregnancy tests are very accurate. They can turn positive as early as the first week after a missed period.
- It is best to do the pregnancy test first thing in the morning. Reason: hormone levels are higher in the morning urine.
- Sometimes, a home test is negative even if you think you might be pregnant. In this case, repeat the test. Do the repeat test in 3-5 days. You can also go to a doctor’s office for testing.
- A pregnancy testing fact sheet can be found at www.womenshealth.gov. Search “pregnancy tests.”
How Long Does It Take To Miss A Period After Conception
Most people miss their period around two weeks after conception. Thats because conception tends to happen around day 1214 before your next period starts, which is when you ovulate. Two weeks after that, youre on approximately day 28 of your cycle, which is when you would normally expect your period to come.
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