“If my pregnancy test is negative, why are my periods delayed?”
I am a 26year old woman, with an active sex life. My periods which are normally on time, have been delayed by 10 days. My pregnancy test shows a negative result. What could be the reason for the delay?
19 Answers
Stressors (extreme changes dieting or excessive exercise, disruption of your normal sleep habits for example) or thyroid, pituitary or adrenal dysfunction. This is a question best addressed during a visit with a gynecologist.
You are probably not ovulating at the right time or the serum progesterone secreted is not sufficient to support the endometrium for pregnancy
You could have a hormonal imbalance. If this persists, your gynecologist should evaluate you from that standpoint.
Menses can be delayed by stress or hormonal changes. If only 1 episode, then not that worried. However, if continues, then please get evaluated by you gyn, although could be a change in your cycle. Also, keep a menstrual calendar.
You could be pregnant or you may have hormonal disfunction
The delayed periods could be due to any number of reasons - from an anovulatory cycle (no ovulation) to an ovarian cyst. There is a possibility of an early pregnancy as well! So it is important to do a blood pregnancy test called Beta HCG, which picks up the very early secretions of the pregnancy hormone!
Hormonal imbalance.
Periods usually come approximately 14 days after you ovulate. Being pregnant is only one reason why you period may be delayed but having a normal but delayed or an abnormal ovulation are other reasons and these are common. If you're developing changes in your menstrual pattern and you're having trouble getting pregnant, you should consult your gynecologist or see a fertility specialist.
Ben Gocial, M.D.
Ben Gocial, M.D.
A delay in periods depends on a lot of things. Are your periods always regular? Recent changes in weight or stress level? Possibly a very early pregnancy that has not produced enough hormones for the pregnancy test you are using to turn positive. Usually, sex life activity does not impact timing of periods.
Many things can delay your cycle, stress, recent illness, hormone imbalance. The result is a not ovulating (producing and egg) and therefore it doesn't trigger you to have a period either. Most of the time things will straighten out on their own in the next month or 2. If they do not you need to make an appointment to be seen.
This is, of course, in light of the negative pregnancy test. If you hadn't done that I'd have recommended that as a first step.
This is, of course, in light of the negative pregnancy test. If you hadn't done that I'd have recommended that as a first step.
First repeat your pregnancy test in 48 hours and if it is still negative then there are many reasons that you are late including stress, medications and weight loss. Very rarely it could be sign of early menopause.
Menstrual cycles are regulated by ovarian function and may become irregular when that function is abnormal or altered. This can be affected by many factors: patient weight, medications, diet, activity, ovarian cysts to name a few.
You should see your gynecologist for testing to be sure nothing serious is affecting your cycles.
You should see your gynecologist for testing to be sure nothing serious is affecting your cycles.
If you are not on any birth control, you can have 1-2 abnormal cycles per year. This could be skipping a cycle, 1 extra cycle or being 10 days late. Stress and hormonal issues could cause that as well (like a thyroid problem).
It is not unusual for people to have irregular periods throughout their lifetime. If this persists, I would go to your GYN just to discuss any testing that may be required including thyroid testing or testing for polycystic ovary and syndrome.
Dear concerned 26 year old,
There are several reasons for the delay in menses. In a reproductive age woman, it is generally related to pregnancy. Typical over the counter pregnancy tests become positive at 2 weeks gestation or one week after implantation. When the pregnancy test is negative, other conditions that can cause a delay in menses include: anovulatory cycle where your body did not release an egg at the appropriate time. Conditions that can be associated with anovulation are emotional stress, weight fluctuation, hormone imbalance such as hyper or hypo thyroidism, or pituitary causes such as a tumor (adenoma) that can increase your body's prolactin level. These can be tested through your blood. You can request for a blood test to check for pregnancy (Bhcg) as well as basic hormone testing through your women's care provider.
There are several reasons for the delay in menses. In a reproductive age woman, it is generally related to pregnancy. Typical over the counter pregnancy tests become positive at 2 weeks gestation or one week after implantation. When the pregnancy test is negative, other conditions that can cause a delay in menses include: anovulatory cycle where your body did not release an egg at the appropriate time. Conditions that can be associated with anovulation are emotional stress, weight fluctuation, hormone imbalance such as hyper or hypo thyroidism, or pituitary causes such as a tumor (adenoma) that can increase your body's prolactin level. These can be tested through your blood. You can request for a blood test to check for pregnancy (Bhcg) as well as basic hormone testing through your women's care provider.
There are lot of other reasons ,that you can have late periods ,Please see your obgyn and get this blood work first like pregnancy test,TSH,Prolactin ,FSH and LH
Period cycles are based on ovulation. Although normal cycles are considered to be 28 days, this can vary from 21 to 35 days in women. Sometimes if you haven't ovulated at all during the cycle, you will still have a period, but this can be delayed and does not follow any regular cyclical pattern.
Sometimes, the hormonal cascade that leads to a regular cycle can be thrown off by many things. This can lead to a delay from when your period would normally start. If this is a one-time episode, no need to worry, but if this keeps happening, then you should get evaluated by your doctor.
Your period could be delayed for a number of reasons including stress, exercise, hormonal changes or sporadic change.
