Possible Causes for a Missed Period with a Negative Pregnancy Test

Pregnancy tests have progressed a lot. As things change with time, earlier, women did have any authentic way of knowing whether they were expecting, at home. They had no choice but to visit their doctor to make sure if they were pregnant.

However, despite several medical advancements, researchers still do not know everything about a woman’s menstrual cycle and how it affects their overall health.

One situation that strikes panic among women is delayed or missed period but negative test. When it happens, women tend to get worried if they are pregnant. If they are not, then why have not they got their period?

First of all, calm down. There can be several reasons behind a missed period and a negative pregnancy test. Let us take a glance at them to understand why this situation may happen.

Low Hormone Levels

It is a scenario in which there is a strong possibility that you are pregnant. However, the reason for the negative pregnancy test is low hormone levels. In several cases, the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), is not high enough to be detected for a home pregnancy test. The condition of low hormone levels usually arises when a woman conceives later in her cycle and she thinks that she is four weeks pregnant, but the fact is she is just two weeks pregnant.

In case the test shows negative, do not worry. Wait for a few days and then test again. It if again shows negative, consult your doctor to avoid any complications.

Anovulation

If you have been trying to conceive, make sure you ovulate every month. Anovulation or ovulatory dysfunction may be a reason behind a missed period. It is the most common cause of infertility and happens due to imbalance of hormones in the body.

Here are some causes of ovulatory dysfunction or anovulation:
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Stress
• Being over/underweight
• Thyroid dysfunction

Ectopic pregnancy

It is a rare form of pregnancy and one of the possible causes of a missed period but negative test. You need to consult your doctor without delay in case your test comes negative and you have the following symptoms:
• Severe pain in abdomen, pelvis, or side part of the body
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Vaginal bleeding or cramping
• Nausea, vomiting, and bloating

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding can be a reason behind missed or irregular periods. When you give birth to a baby, your period returns. However, it takes some time for your cycle to get back to normal like it was before.

As the baby grows with time, their feedings are likely to change. For instance, if the frequency of breastfeeding at night has suddenly increased, it is likely to affect your cycle.

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)

Also known as premature ovarian failure, primary ovarian insufficiency is a medical condition in which the ovaries of a woman stop working normally before she turns 40. In this condition, the ovarian follicle count starts depleting prematurely. Owing to POI, women start getting irregular periods as they transition to early menopause. Some of the symptoms of POI:
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Missed or irregular periods
• Fatigue, night sweats, or hot flashes
• Mood swings
• Infertility
• Vaginal dryness
• Sexual dysfunction

Medications

Birth control pills can be a cause of irregular or missed cycle. Besides, there are other medications that may cause a missed period. For instance, medications for allergy or blood pressure can disrupt the menstrual cycle.

There can be many reasons behind a missed period with a negative pregnancy test. Maybe it is because of any underlying medical condition or lifestyle problem like extreme stress. In case you get a negative test, do not worry. Wait for a few days or a week and then retest. If the test again comes negative and the period is still missing, consult your doctor without delay.

At Indira IVF and fertility center, our fertility experts are keen to help and resolve all your queries related infertility or IVF. You can book your appointment for a free consultation now.