No Period, Not Pregnant?

Updated on August 14, 2008
M.K. asks from Issaquah, WA
47 answers

I'm five days late with my period, but I took a prego test when I was three days late. The test was negative, but I still have no period. I know, its only five days. But, I am just about on the nose 28 days between cycles. I did have some cramping like I was about to have my period the day it was due, but never arrived. Is there a chance that I could be prego though the home test said negative? I've heard of false positives, but not false negatives. Ok, I guess there is a chance, but how long should I wait to do another test?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.M.

answers from Portland on

DId you know that you can get pregnancy tests at the dollar tree? They have always been right for me and they are only 1$ SO go and buy a few. That is what I do.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Portland on

I'd wait a week and try another test. Also try a different test, they aren't all the same. or go to planned parenthood if you don't want to keep shelling out money for tests.
I had to take 5 or 6 pregnancy tests before I got a positive when I got pregnant with my son and even then it was barely a line. With my daughter, I took a test 2 days before my period was due because I knew I was pregnant and the test came out positive immediately. Not all tests or pregnancies are the same, so I'd just wait and see in a week.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Seattle on

Take a test next week. I took one after a week and it said negative. Took one a week later (because I just knew I was prego) and it was positive!
Wishing you the best!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.R.

answers from Odessa on

During the first 6 weeks of my pregnancy with my son, I took about 15 pregnancy tests because I was so convinced I was pregnant. They all came out negative. At 6 weeks the test became positive.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.T.

answers from Portland on

Hi M.,

I'd wait a few more days and then take another test. Sometimes there is not enough HGH to be measured by those tests that early. I took two pregnancy tests that were negative and then the third was positive. By the time I took the second test, my period was a few days late. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.R.

answers from Portland on

Sometimes we can miss our periods because of changes in life. Have you had a lot of stress, changed jobs or been sick lately? Hope things get back to normal for you!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.A.

answers from Portland on

As many have said, the pee tests detect levels of "pregnancy" hormones. If your levels aren't high enough, you'll get a negative result.

Your doctor can perform a blood-based test that is FAR more accurate, so if you don't want to wait a few more days and can bear the thought of being stuck, go see your doctor.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.B.

answers from Seattle on

Hi M.,
When I got pregnant with my now 18 month old son, I had to take 5 pregnancy tests before one came out positive. I was paranoid and thought I might be pregnant and kept taking tests. I waited about every 3-4 days. I had all the symptoms that I was getting ready to start my period (cramps, bloating, crankiness), so I didn't take any more tests. I was busy with some family visitors at the time and didn't notice that I was well over 2 weeks late. I took another test (the 5th one) and it finally came out positive.

The prevois tests that I took before were EPT. The last one was First Response. If I ever have to buy one again, it will be First Response. Sometimes your pregnancy horome that tests use to detect if you're pregnant or not is not strong enough, but it doubles every day (from what I've read).

Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Seattle on

Hi M. - I was trying to get pregnant for 7 months. On month 5 I missed my period (which were also 28 days exactly) so was sure I was pregnant, but then I had a negative test and a period twice before conceiving.

I know it's hard to wait, but most tests say they need you to wait at least 10 days after a missed period for best accuracy. Best wishes!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Eugene on

I took several pregnancy tests and all were negative, including one I took 2 days before going to the dr. and finding out I was pregnant. The most accurate test is a blood test. They are more expensive (about $50, most insurances will cover it), but at least you will have your sure answer within hours. You can call your OB and have her order one at a local lab.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Seattle on

wait and test again or go to Planned Parenthood or your OB/Gyn. I knew I was pregnant and took tests that came back negative at 6 days.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from Spokane on

I did the same thing with my first and my second (currently pregnant!) I took a test when I missed my period just a few days after it didn't arrive, I even went to the doctor and their tests came up negative as well. I waited a week after and it came up positive before I even pulled up my pants! Wait a week and if it doesn't come up positive, check with your doctor as something else may be going on. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.D.

answers from Portland on

With all 5 of my pregnancies I could NOT get a positive reading with certain brands until about 6 weeks, 2 weeks past expected period.
Try a different brand in a few days.
Stress can do amazing and crazy things to your body. I was always very regular but then stress had my period 3 weeks late, or early or whatever!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.M.

answers from Portland on

Michelle,
You could still be pregnant, even with a negative pregnancy test. False negatives are more common, due to timing of the test, human error, etc. This early in a pregnancy, you should check the pregnancy test first thing in the morning. Your urine is more concentrated at this time, so it'll be easier to detect the Hcg in there. If you still get a negative, and you haven't started your period yet, call the OB/Gyn and see if they can order the blood test, as these are the most accurate way to determine pregnancy. Good luck!!! And if you are pregnant...congratulations!
B.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Spokane on

False negatives are more common than false positives. They detect hcg, which builds up in your body during pregnancy. Sometimes the levels can't be detected by the test really early. Wait a couple of days, and test again.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.D.

answers from Portland on

M.,
The same thing would happen to me, and just like you I am on a regular 28 day schedule. Usually when this happened I would be going through some type of stress. It was worse when we were trying to get pregnant for the first time. Well, we found our number so to speak. If I missed my period, I would wait 16 days and then take a test. Typically after the test my period would start.
Just wait a little longer.
Cheers!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.A.

answers from Seattle on

With my second pregnancy I didn't have a positive test until I was 8 weeks pregnant. So, it's possible you could be pregnant and just not have a high enough level of HcG in your urine to detect yet. Try a few days from now if your period still hasn't come yet or go to your doctor for a blood test. The pregnancy hormone increases rapidly in early pregnancy. Lots of factors can affect your menstrual cycle. Even things you wouldn't think of. Stress affects my period a lot (when I had them! I just had a baby 8 weeks ago and I'm nursing, so I haven't had a period in about a year). Good luck to you and I hope the outcome is exactly what you want!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Seattle on

I had a false negative, with my son. I took the test when i was four days late. Wait until you are two weeks late and take another test. Good luck

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Seattle on

False negatives are way more likely that false positives. Most pregnancy tests are 99% accurate if possitive. If the pregnancy hormones are not at a level that is detected yet then it could be saying negative. When I was pregnant with my first son I had two at home and one at the office test that were negative. I had never been that late before so I had a feeling that I was pregnant. Sure enough I finally got a positive result. I would have hard time waiting too long for another test.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.L.

answers from Portland on

**Well I just read everyone elses responses about getting false negatives for weeks, so maybe my advice about taking the test tomorrow is wrong. With both my pregnancies I took tests at least 3 days before my period was missed and got faint positives.

Hi M.,

It's actually much more common to get a false negative than a false positive. Usually to get a false positive you have to have been pregnant recently or be taking a drug that contains hCG.

That said, you're period could just be late. My sister once thought that she was pregnant because she was a whole week late, but she wasn't. If you have had a lot of stress you can delay your ovulation. Once you ovulate (if you don't get pregnant) you WILL get your period in 14-16 days. If have a lot of stress, though, in the first part of your cycle you can delay your ovulation, which pushes your period back also. Breastfeeding can also delay ovulation.

Get a sensitive pregnancy test and take it tomorrow with your first morning urine. If it's negative I would guess you're not preggo, just late. Which one are you rooting for???

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.J.

answers from Seattle on

The hcg hormone in your blood from being pregnant doubles everyother day in the first trimester. If you took a test on your third day late and it didn't show up, take another one on the sixth or seventh day late. If it still doesn't show up and you haven't started your period maybe wait another week and go in and have a blood test done. I had a friend who was twelve weeks along before it showed up on a regular pregnancy test.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.D.

answers from Eugene on

M.-

It could be that the pregnancy hormones aren't strong enough yet to register on a test. I concieved on August 4th and the test were negitive until August 22! I also had cramping which turned out to be implantaion cramping. Good Luck!

L.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Seattle on

My friend took 5 or so tests, all negative, and was pregnant. She knew she had to be so she finally went to the doctor who was able to determine she indeed was pregnant. He just said exactly what you did, you can get many false negatives but you won't get a false positive. You may need to go to your doctor to be sure.

Good luck, I don't know if that was much help.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.L.

answers from Seattle on

Actually, you have it backwards... the test can show false negatives (because you don't have enough pregnancy hormones yet) but not false positives. When I got pregnant, it showed negative at first and then a few days later it finally registered as positive. I'm not saying that that is the case for you, but I would take another test if it's been a few days since the last test. :-)

Otherwise, the time it takes for you to ovulate can fluctuate. So if you were really stressed out or sick (or just having a weird month) you could just be late. Once you ovulate, your period should be 14 days from then. So if you noticed when you ovulated, that might help you. :-)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.W.

answers from Portland on

my preiod was pretty reliable too, but it took over a week past my missed period to register my pregnancy (after a couple "false" tests). you could be pregnant!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.R.

answers from Portland on

You still may be prego. I'd wait a few more days. Your body might also be changing. My periods started to change around 36, so I guess it would depend on your age. Also it might be affected by your health, weight etc.
D.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Seattle on

i have never heard of a false positive but i have had and heard of plenty of false negatives. my step mother had a negative at home and took a blood test to find out she was six weeks along. try again in a few days . i had to take 3 to get a pos with my soon and then it was only a faint line. good luck

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Seattle on

My sister's friend did five pregnancy tests and all were negative, but she was positive she was pregnant. Finally she went to the doctor and voila, nine months later had a little boy!
Get a blood test, then you'll know for sure.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.D.

answers from Portland on

If you have insurance go to the doctor they will know for sure.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Seattle on

I'm also a 28-day girl and I barely showed a positive with my first test at 3 days late. My penny is to do another test in a couple of days, using a different brand, first thing in the morning. Make sure you put the test DOWN and don't move it for the allotted time. If it shows up negative again and you are sure that you are (instinct can be more accurate than medicine), go to the doc and insist on a blood test. It is much more accurate. Best of luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.C.

answers from Portland on

M.,

Are you breast feeding? That could mess with your cycle even after this long...

Yes, the test could show wrong.

Either way, I would contact the doctor just to get their take on it...no reason to mess with your health.

T.

M.B.

answers from Seattle on

M.,

The EPT home pregnancy test was great for me. It's not a pink line, but (I think) a yes or no. The other option is to go to the doctor and have them do one.

Like others have said stress can do funky things to a cycle, so can the amount of body fat you have.

When I lost my virginity my cycle was a full week later in coming than before, and I was regular as clockwork. Talk about terrified.

Anyway, I'd think about going to the Doctor and having them do one.

Hope this helps,
Melissa

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Portland on

Yes, it can definitely be a false negative. It's happened to me... twice. One time I was even on the pill and thought there was no way I could be pregnant. But sure enough, when I took the test about a week later, it was positive. Sometimes the hormone levels aren't high enough to be detected on the test.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.S.

answers from Springfield on

My pregnancy tests at home never came out positive until I was at least 2 weeks late... depending on how far along you could be would determine the amount of hormones in your system.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Richland on

Hi M.,
If I were you and always on the nose when it came to the timing of my period, I would check again with a couple of different brands of pregnancy tests. I myself always got 3 different ones and I do recall seeing a negative on one and a positive on another, then I took the third one in the morning when the urine is most potent and it then said a positive really quickly. I hope my experience helps!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Eugene on

My ex best friend was getting Negative pregnancy tests until she was 6 months preggy. Even the Dr. was getting them negative. They kept telling her she wasnt pregnant. Then when they found out that she was infact preggy, she was about 6 months along. I would just wait maybe another week or two and if you still dont have a period take another test, If that comes out negative then I would suggest going to your dr. to see if there is a problem

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.O.

answers from Portland on

To me it sounds like you are probably not pregnant. But...it's supposed to be normal to miss a cycle. If you miss another one, make sure to see your doctor. There are all kinds of conditions/illnesses that will cause you to miss your period. So if you miss another one, you'll want to be sure to get those ruled out. It wasn't until I started missing my period that the doctors finally figured out that I had Grave's disease; which is a thyroid condition. Thyroid conditions can definitely mess up your periods. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with you, just want you to be aware... :) Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Seattle on

I have had 3 kids and taken at least 3 tests with each pregnancy. I have gotten at least 1 false positive with each one and sometimes 2, but never a false negative. I always seemed to know I was pregnant before the test did and that's why I got false negatives. I like 1st Reponse. I would take another test if I were you, now. 5 days late is a lot especially if you are usually really regular. There's a very strong possibility that you could be pregnant after all. Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.V.

answers from Portland on

Hello. My understanding is that each pregnancy test will state when you can test, and I think most of them are right around the time your period is due. However, I am currently seven months' pregnant, and the pregnancy tests did not begin to register positive until seven weeks. Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.B.

answers from Seattle on

You're more likely to get a false negative than a false positive. Go to your doctor hun.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Seattle on

Your hcg levels may not be detectable yet. I've read that First Response tests are the most sensitive. I'm currently ten weeks prego and tested positive with this test shortly after my missed period. So yes, you still could be!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.L.

answers from Anchorage on

I've had the worst experiences with home tests.I had several, even a couple weeks after missing my period that told me I wasn't pregnant and it turned out I was VERY pregnant! My hcg levels where just slow to rise.

I'd either wait a week or so and then either take another test or make an appointment to see your dr to have one done.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from Seattle on

Hi M.,

Wait until you're two weeks late, then home test again. If still no positive result, go see your doctor.

Best of luck!

K. W

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.S.

answers from Seattle on

I'm thinking that there are two things going on here...either you are pregnant but it's not a viable pregnancy (not enough hormones to result in a positive test), and you'll have a heavy period in a few days, or you had a minor ovarian cyst that burst, hence the cramping... I'd wait another 3-5 days to do a test, and if still no period, see your doctor.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.K.

answers from Portland on

I've never heard of false positives. but here is my experince with pg tests with my son Brendan. I took a test a few days (or a week, can't remember) before my period was due and the test was negative. I waited til about a week after my period was due and it was positive. I too had cramping like it was gonna come but never did.

When did you say that you took the test? Have you taken one since? If not, I would take one around being a week late. These tests are sensitive now and you can get results -5 days to when your period is due.

With my current pregnancy, I took a home test last Saturday and it was positive, I took another test of a different brand and it too, was positive(+). I was 4 or 5 days late, so the test should be accurate.

Are you trying to conceive???

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.P.

answers from Eugene on

I bought my pregnancy test at the dollar store (yes, I am that cheap), and it came back negative so I decided to make the most of it and go have a few glasses of wine with a friend to "celebrate" being able to drink for a little while again (since I wasn't drinking when we were trying). I was indeed pregnant and my partner and family still haven't let me live down the fact I bought a pregnancy test at the dollar store...so only time will tell, but it is hard to be patient...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Portland on

I had similar questions when I got prego with my daughter June of 2006. I had 3 negatives before I finally got a positive at the dr's office. I think I had started taking tests within about a week. I'm not sure why it took so many, but the dr said I lit the test up faster than the control blue line! Good luck and hope that everything works out the way you want!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches