Great question – it is sometimes frustrating to determine if you could be pregnant, and if you aren’t, why your period might be late! The simple answer is yes, you could still be pregnant even with a negative test, depending on when you took it, but there are also other reasons your period could be late.
A pregnancy test detects HCG levels in your urine which increase the longer you are pregnant. If you took a pregnancy test before your missed period or within the first couple days after, it is possible there wouldn’t be enough HCG in your urine yet to detect the pregnancy. You could also get a false negative if you tested later in the day, rather than with your first-morning urine, especially very early in pregnancy, since there wouldn’t be as much HCG in your urine yet.
You are most likely to get pregnant about 14 days after the start of your last period – this is the typical time women ovulate in their cycle. It is extremely important to remember that this varies from woman to woman and even from month to month. If you happened to ovulate later than expected, or if you did get pregnant closer to your expected period than what is typical, the pregnancy wouldn’t be far enough along to show up on a test yet if you tested right around your missed period.
Why else could your period be late other than pregnancy?
- You ovulated later in the month than usual which caused your period to come later as well
- Birth control
- Hormonal changes
- Stress
- Weight Loss or Gain
If you got a negative pregnancy test but still haven’t started your period, we recommend you test again about 5 days later and first thing in the morning or make an appointment to have a pregnancy test done in our office.
Have additional questions or need to make an appointment? Call (877) 883.7264 or go to www.fpawomenshealth.com to book an appointment online.
When your period is late with no sign of a positive pregnancy test, it can be upsetting and confusing. If your normally regular periods have suddenly become irregular, or stopped, think about whether anything has changed in your lifestyle.
Nine reasons you might miss your period
1. Pregnancy
It is possible to get a false negative on a pregnancy test (where the test says you're not pregnant even though you are), particularly if you test too early, or don't follow the instructions exactly. If you're in any doubt about the results of your pregnancy test, try waiting a few days and testing again.
2. Stress
Severe stress can affect your hormones, which could cause changes to your menstrual cycle, or even stop your periods altogether. Learn more about how stress affects your menstrual cycle, and get tips on what to do about it.
3. Being overweight or obese
Being overweight (with a BMI of 25 or more) or obese (with a BMI of 30 or more) can also affect your hormone balance and menstrual cycle. If you're finding it difficult to manage your weight, and it's affecting your periods, your GP may be able to refer you to a dietitian or other local services, who'll help you lose the weight safely.
4. Sudden weight loss
Being underweight, or losing weight very quickly, can mean that you're not getting enough calories for a healthy menstrual cycle. If you have a body mass index (BMI) under 18.5, or are suffering from an eating disorder such as anorexia, speak to your GP. She may refer you to a specialist who can help you get back to a healthy weight, which should get your periods back to normal, too.
5. Extreme exercise
Extreme exercising puts your body under stress and reduces your levels of body fat, which can both affect your periods. If you've recently been doing lots of strenuous exercise, try stopping for a while to see if your periods return.
6. The contraceptive pill
If you're taking the pill, it's perfectly normal for you to have the occasional missed period. Provided your period returns the next time it's due, there's no need to worry.
Other types of contraception, such as the progestogen-only pill (mini pill), contraceptive injection and intrauterine system (IUS) can stop your periods altogether. However, your periods should return as soon as you stop using the mini pill or IUS, and within a year of the injection wearing off.
7. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that can prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg each month. Symptoms of PCOS include:
- irregular periods, or no periods
- difficulty getting pregnant
- extra hair growth on your face, chest, back, bottom or tummy
- thinning hair on your head
- unexplained weight gain
- oily skin or acne
Learn more about PCOS, including how it's treated.
8.
Other health conditions
If you have a long-term health condition, such as thyroid problems, diabetes or coeliac disease, this can also affect your menstrual cycle. Some types of medication, such as antidepressants and epilepsy medication, can also affect your hormones. So if you have any kind of health problem, it's worth speaking to your GP to see if this could be affecting your periods.
9. The menopause
The menopause is when a woman stops having periods naturally, as part of the ageing process. It usually happens after the age of 45, and is often accompanied by symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and difficulty sleeping.
If you are going through the menopause, your periods won't return, and you won't be able to get pregnant naturally. However, it's still worth seeing your GP, who can confirm the menopause and prescribe medication to help with any symptoms you may be experiencing. She can also give you information about other options for having a child, such as adoption or surrogacy.
What to do if your periods have stopped
If you miss more than three periods in a row, and pregnancy tests are negative, see your GP. She'll ask you some questions about your medical history, and may arrange for you to have some tests, such as a blood test, to find out exactly what's causing your missed periods. If necessary, she'll refer you to a specialist who'll make sure that you get the care you need.
More information:
- Learn more about how your menstrual cycle works.
- Find out if fertility drugs could restart your periods.
- Think you might be pregnant? Check out the top 10 signs of pregnancy.
Polly Logan-Banks is an experienced editor with a keen interest in producing evidence-based content. Polly is passionate about ensuring that every child gets the best start in life.