Missed Period, Negative Test: What Does It Mean?

Finding out our period is late can often bring a sense of fear- or relief, depending on whether we are trying for a baby or not. However, should the time come that we take a test to find out that we are provided with a negative result, this can cause great confusion and in some instances, disappointment.

In the event that your period is late but you have been provided with a negative pregnancy test result, there are two different scenarios that you should consider. The first is to contemplate why your period is late in the first place if you are, not in fact pregnant. Your menstrual cycle can be affected by a number of different ailments so it is important to consider all of these options. The next is to consider why your pregnancy is showing a negative result and whether you could be potentially pregnant or not. However, it is important to be aware that the below is merely an insight as to why this can occur. In the event that you have missed a period and you are provided with a negative pregnancy result, you should always consult with your doctor.

Our body’s can become greatly affected by different events within our life and in regards to female health; this can often result in a change in our menstrual cycle. Many women will experience a missed or delayed period from time to time. If the woman is of a childbearing age, this cause is likely to be pregnancy but if you are sure that you are not pregnant following a negative test, there are other causes for your missing period including:

• Stress interferes with the body’s hormone signals from the brain which often, can block ovulation. This can cause a women’s menstrual cycle to become irregular meaning a period may start earlier than usual, or later. This is one of the most common causes for missed periods in women.
• Women who experience thyroid problems will also experience interference in their hormone pathways which again, can cause late periods.
• Those who suffer with weight problems, in particular if they are over or underweight will see a huge difference in their menstrual cycle. Often, those who have been significantly underweight for a prolonged period of time may find that their periods stop altogether and will only resume once their health and weight has been restored.
• Certain types of birth control can make periods disappear which is often the desired effect for many women. It is often common to not have periods when on certain birth control medications but you should never not experience periods if you are not on some form of birth control.
• Women who are reaching the menopause will also see interference in their cycle but if this is a potential cause, it is advisable to consult with your doctor.

In most cases, if you are not pregnant, your period will appear within a few days past its original due date. However, in the instance that it has not appeared within a few months, it is advisable to do another pregnancy test and arrange to see your gynecologist.

Nevertheless, it is also important to remember that pregnancy tests are not 100% accurate and so should never be completely relied upon for a true result. There is the possibility that you are in fact pregnant and the test has given you a false negative. This may be due to a faulty or ‘cheap’ type of pregnancy test. Alternatively, it may be due to the user reading the instructions incorrectly as each test works in a different way and so may require an increased or decreased waiting time before the results will be available.

In the event that you experience a negative result when you have missed your period, always consult your doctor. For more advice and help, visit Babies Base