Possible Causes of Missed Period with Negative Pregnancy Test

Whenever people miss their period dates, the first thing they grab is a pregnancy test kit. For the couple trying to conceive, missed periods are their first exciting hope towards the parenthood journey.

But what if the test results come out negative and you still haven’t got your period? 

There can be various reasons for no periods with a double marker negative pregnancy test. Pregnancy test kits have come a long way, designed in easy DIY kits for self-examinations. But these home test kits are not always perfectly accurate, sometimes even giving false-negative results (if not conducted under mentioned optimal conditions).

According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, menstrual irregularities, such as late or missed periods, occur in nearly 15-25% of women going through childbearing age. This can be due to various conditions besides hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, stress, trauma, weight loss, and other specific health conditions.

This blog will help you with in-depth details and treatments for Amenorrhea (the scientific term for delayed or missed periods), explaining all the possible reasons for pregnancy reports negative but no period.

According to Seattle Children’s Organization, A missed period occurs when there has been no period flow for six or more weeks following the beginning of your previous period.

It is vital to watch your menstrual cycle and how regularly it occurs to know if your hormones are balanced. You can also understand more about the state of your bones, thyroid, and metabolic system. By being aware of your cycle, you may choose the best days for intercourse and pleasure as well as days when you have more energy for exercise and fitness. Your period is essential for promoting emotional wellness and helping you make wise health decisions.

There could be many reasons for a missed period; the most known is pregnancy. If you are sexually active, a pregnancy test is the first thing to do after a missed period. Human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone found in the body of pregnant women, is measured by a pregnancy test. As part of the pregnancy process, HCG is produced as early as ten days after conception, and it can be found in the urine and blood of pregnant women. But if you have missed your period and the pregnancy test result is also negative, that means another underlying condition exists.

What are the Causes of Negative Pregnancy Tests But No Period?

Negative Test Result

There are two reasons you can get a missed period negative pregnancy test- either you’re not pregnant, or tested too early for the test kit to detect the hCG hormone in urine. The pregnancy test kit works by detecting the hCG hormone produced in the body when you’re pregnant, and it keeps increasing for a few months.

HCG hormone can sometimes mislead

The hCG hormone appears in the urine within the first week after ovulation and rises every 2 to 3 days in the first week till missed period day. If you test during this period, you may see a negative result, even if you are pregnant.

Well, even if you skipped your period and didn’t test early, there are chances that you are not pregnant.

The basic cycles go with ovaries releasing an egg during ovulation, approximately every 28 days. If a sperm fertilizes the egg, the woman will miss her period dates, but if no fertilization happens, a person’s period will likely start within 15-16 days.

But sometimes, there’s a possibility that you’re not pregnant but still missing your periods. This condition refers to Amenorrhea, the absence or lack of menstruation during female fertility years. It usually happens due to a lack of estrogen. Some of the other possible causes for a negative pregnancy test but no period is discussed below-

Short-Term Causes: 

1. Stress

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is a hormonal mechanism that the body activates in response to stress. Higher amounts of cortisol and corticotropin-releasing hormones are linked to HPA axis activation. The production of CRH and cortisol may repress the normal concentration of reproductive hormones, resulting in anovulation or missed periods.

You can reduce your level of stress by :

Exercise: Regular exercising is one of the finest methods to unwind your mind and body. You can also exercise for a few minutes if you are into a whole routine.

Decent Nourishment: Eat healthy and nutrient-rich food. Vegetables, fruit, lean protein, and nutritious grains should all be included in your meals if you want to feel full and relaxed.

Laughter: Endorphins are released during laughter, which elevates mood and reduces cortisol and adrenaline levels, two stress-inducing hormones. Your neurological system is fooled into feeling good when you laugh.

Meditation: Meditation helps get mental clarity and deep relaxation. During meditation, you concentrate and get rid of the continual bombardment of cluttered thoughts that can be worrying you out.

Adequate Sleep: Another significant stress factor is sleep deprivation. So, ensure you sleep at least for 7-8 hours.

2. Weight Fluctuation Due to Eating Disorder

Diet changes or significant weight fluctuation in a short time can mess with your estrogen levels or hormones, causing irregularities in menstrual cycles. Eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia can cause a delay, severely affecting the individual’s quality of life.

Strategies for maintaining a healthy weight

Observe portion sizes: You may dodge overeating by consuming smaller quantities, making it feasible for you to eat more of the dishes you enjoy daily. 

Eat healthy meals: If you’re not careful, eating foods heavy in calories and sugar can result in weight gain. Pick foods like fruits, veggies, and whole grains that are tasty and high in nutrition. 

Take more water: You may keep your weight in check by drinking a good amount of water. 

Keep a food journal: It’s crucial to track and keep track of the total number of calories you consume each day because many people are ignorant of their calorie intake. You must spend more calories than you consume to lose weight.

Regular exercise: The amount of your energy intake and use impacts your weight. To maintain your current body weight, you must consume the same quantity of energy as you burn, but, to drop fat, you must burn more calories than you consume. Find a fitness routine that includes both weight training & cardio.

Get more rest: Getting enough sleep each night helps your body reset and prepare for the next day. People with sleep problems often eat more than they need to to stay awake.

3. PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome)

Nearly 10% of women going through childbearing age suffer from one or other types of PCOS. It refers to a hormonal imbalance affecting a woman’s appearance and health and further causing ovarian cysts. This can result in irregular periods, and abnormal periods of pain and may stop them entirely. Apart from missing periods, other symptoms of PCOS include inflammation, unpredictable bleeding, increasing weight, hair thinning, cramping, vaginal discharge, sleep Apnea or acne, and other skin conditions.

You can also go through with PCOS Diet Chart for better results.

4. Breastfeeding

The breastfeeding phase also causes Amenorrhea due to the increased production of prolactin. It is a hormone produced by our body during breastfeeding that affects menstruation. But this cause is temporary, and the cycle restores once the person stops breastfeeding.

5. Hormonal Birth Control

A change in your body’s hormonal levels can also affect the menstrual cycles, resulting in early, delayed to stopped cycles. It can happen if you have recently started the course for antidepressants, contraceptives, or other hormone replacement meds.

6. Excessive Physical Workout

Irregular menstrual cycles can also be due to spending too much time at the gym. Excessive exercise can lower the metabolism levels where our body tries to conserve energy, further causing delayed to missed dates. 

7. Fertility treatment 

If you underwent fertility treatment, this causes an off-cycle change. Fertility drugs might extend your menstrual cycle length if your menstrual cycle is short. IVF and IUI can also cause a delayed period.

While some women face period issues for short-term reasons, there is a chance that your body is going through a lot for a long time, which might be a reason for missed periods. These long-term reasons can be perimenopause, diabetes, thyroid-related problem, or primary ovarian insufficiency.

8. Antidepressants

According to Greenbrook (TMS Neorhealth Centers), several antidepressants have been connected to elevated prolactin levels, which might interfere with ovulation. Your cycle could be thrown off, as a result, leading to missed or inconsistent periods or fluctuations in the flow of your menstrual blood.

9. Lifestyle Factors

A number of external variables can severely impact your menstrual cycle. For instance, stress might cause a period delay. Malnutrition may also have an impact. You can also miss periods if you smoke, consume too much coffee or alcohol, or don’t eat enough calories.

Your menstruation may become irregular due to abrupt lifestyle changes, such as engaging in vigorous exercise or working the night shift at your job.

10. Taking a Home Pregnancy Test Too Soon

A pregnancy test taken too soon may result in a false-negative result. It is more difficult for a home pregnancy kit to detect HCG the sooner you take it. Take a home pregnancy test a day after the missed period for the most accurate results.

Long-Term Causes:

1. Perimenopause

If you did not have your periods for over 12 months, you’ve entered the perimenopause phase. The average age for this phase is around 50 years, and some of the symptoms that beings at an early age are:

  • Reduced interest in physical intimacy,
  • Irritability or vaginal dryness,
  • lighter or heavier periods,
  • hot flashes,
  • trouble sleeping.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, consult your gynaecologist to start with the ideal treatments.

2. Thyroid-related Issues-

Our thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate the metabolism of our body. Sometimes, the thyroid glands’ hormone level may vary, resulting in hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, affecting the frequency of a person’s period.

Doctors usually advise a blood test to know the cause and symptoms of thyroid-related issues, including-

  • Hair loss or hair thinning,
  • Feeling cold or warm all the time,
  • Extreme tiredness,
  • Sudden weight change.

3. POI (Primary Ovarian Insufficiency)-

This happens when a woman’s ovaries stop working as expected before reaching age. Primary Ovarian Inefficiency cannot be related to perimenopause or early menopause and may affect the frequency of periods, disturbing normal ovary functions.

4. Diabetes

Anovulation can also have a significant impact on regular menstrual cycles. This happens when the ovary does not release enough eggs in the fallopian tubes. People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk for anovulation, resulting in irregular menstrual periods.

What Are the Chances of Getting Pregnant with A Negative Pregnancy Test Result?

Rise of Pregnancy Hormone (hCG) in early Pregnancy

Pregnancy test kits are technological devices designed to detect hCG levels in urine, further presenting the actual results. But sometimes, there are chances that these tests may give false-negative results.

There are 3-5% chances for false-negative results in pregnancy test kits. Further diversifying the range, 1% of these false-negative results are due to the device’s fault, and the remaining 2-4% are because of hCG levels detection.

  • Early Test:

 It means that the hCG hormones of your body are not enough to be detected yet, referring to the early detection fault. It takes at least 8-10 days for our body to produce enough chorionic gonadotropin pregnancy hormone after conception for a home pregnancy test.

 If you have a negative test result but the symptoms suspect hope, try again after a few days to get better clarity.

  • Diluted Urine:

 It is always advised to conduct the test in the early morning when the urine is much more concentrated. Water dilutes the hCG levels, increasing the chances of false results.

  • Ectopic Pregnancy:

Ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, which the standard pregnancy test cannot detect. This further requires urgent clinical attention as it can worsen the cramps, abdominal pain, and bleeding.

Do I have to take the test first thing in the morning?

The pregnancy test kit should detect the hCG if you are pregnant at any time of the day. If you are testing before you have missed your periods, then you have to take it first thing in the morning when the hCG concentration is high in the body. However, you can dilute the hCG concentration present in the body by intaking too much liquid. Try not to drink much fluid if you suspect you’re pregnant and planning to take the test.

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor immediately if you haven’t had your period in for more than two months or if there are any other symptoms. You must seek medical attention from a qualified practitioner to identify the underlying issue and prevent complications from a potentially dangerous illness, like uncontrolled diabetes.

Conclusion

Missed or delayed periods are typical menstrual irregularities, especially in younger women who are menstruation. Suppose a person misses their period without being pregnant. In that case, it can be because of environmental variables, including increased stress, strenuous exercise, the start of new hormonal contraceptives, or unexpected weight changes.

A missed period can occasionally be brought on by a chronic illness such as thyroid problems, Cushing’s syndrome, type 2 diabetes, or PCOS.

A woman should see a doctor if she skips more than two periods in a row to ensure her reproductive system is sound and working correctly.

Aastha Fertility Care Offers Answers and Compassion: 

A missed or delayed period combined with negative pregnancy test results can be confusing and irritating, especially if you’re expecting a baby. There can be several explanations for it. But instead of entirely relying on the home pregnancy results, it is advised to consult fertility experts for the final decisions.

The sooner you get the things evaluated, the sooner you can identify the cause and treatment for the same. Aastha Fertility Care provides you with a flexible Online Consultation option with their infertility experts, helping you with all the answers you deserve.

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Book your confidential appointment today for the best fertility treatments!

Frequently Asked Questions- 

1. Could a no period with a negative pregnancy test result go wrong?

Pregnancy test kits are 99% accurate, but 1% false detection chances are still there. Therefore, it is advised to consult your gynaecologist for the final results.

2. What can be the reasons for a negative pregnancy test but no period for 2 months?

There’s a lot of mystery about menstrual cycles, and many factors affect the same. Aastha Fertility Care team of fertility experts will help diagnose the actual reason for missed or delayed periods, assisting their patients until they are fully recovered.

3. Could medications interfere with the pregnancy report negative but no period results?

If you are on birth control or hormonal changes medication, this might affect the pregnancy test results. Consult your doctor to get the final result.

4. Could I be pregnant if I have a negative pregnancy test and a missed period?

Yes, if you take the test too soon, you risk receiving a false-negative result.

5. Can thyroid problems cause a missed period with a negative pregnancy test? 

Yes, thyroid problems can cause a missed period with a negative pregnancy test.

6. Can a chemical pregnancy cause a false positive pregnancy test?

Yes, it is possible to get a false positive.

7. Can drink too much water before taking a pregnancy test cause a false positive result?

Yes! Any liquid, including too much water, can interfere with a pregnancy test.

8. Could I have a hormonal imbalance caused by exposure to environmental toxins?

Yes, exposure to environmental toxins can cause hormonal imbalance.

Dr Namita Kotia

Dr Namita Kotia

Dr. Namita Kotia (IVF specialist in Jaipur) attained her Master’s in Obstetrics and Gynecology from S.N. Medical College, Jodhpur affiliated to University of Rajasthan in 1997. She has more than 10 years experience in field of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).Presently at Aastha Fertility Care Dr. Namita along with her team is providing complete infertility work up and treatment options under one roof. Her aim is to provide proper guidance and treatment to Infertile couples at AFFORDABLE RATES.She is life member of Indian Academy of Human Reproduction (IAHR), Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction (ISAR), Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology Society of India (FOGSI) and Jaipur Obstetrics Gynecology Society (JOGS). She has a number of publications in various journals and presentations at state and National level conferences to her credit.Dr. Namita is also recipient of best paper presentation viz “Diagnosis of Congenital Mullerian anomalies by three dimensional Transvaginal Sonography” awarded at “Kishori” Conference in Jodhpur (2000).

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