Where Is Aunt Flow?

Updated on October 24, 2012
V.K. asks from Chisago City, MN
19 answers

My period is 7 days late!!! I've taken 2 pregnancy tests (One of the day my period was supposed to start, and one earlier this morning). Both were negative.

Since coming off birth control a few months ago I have had a very strict 21 day cycle. I usually show signs of ovulation around day 9, so hubby and I try to have sex as much as possible from days 7-11. According to the 21 day cycle, my period should have been here last Monday. I took an early pregnancy test that day just because I was curious. It came out negative. Now it's been 7 days and my period still isn't here. I took another early pregnancy test this morning... Another negative.

Is it still possible that I'm pregnant? Should I wait another week and take another test? Should I call my doctor and see if they can do a blood test (Not sure if I want to do this because with Christmas coming up we are trying to save extra money for Christmas gifts)? If I'm not pregnant, where is my period? Do I need to wait for my period to come before we can continue trying to conceive? Or will I still ovulate even though I didn't get my period last cycle?

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So What Happened?

M.M - I don't mean to sound frantic. Yes, we are trying. I would be ecstatic if the tests were positive... But they are negative, so I am confused as to why they are negative. I either want the tests to be positive or I want my period to come so we can keep trying. I don't want to be stuck like this with a negative test but no period.

Laurie - I'll be 21 next month... I sure hope my body isn't getting "older" already! Lol

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M.M.

answers from New York on

Why are you so frantic? You are trying to get pregnant, right?

I'm sorry, but how does money for Christmas presents play into this? Wouldn't you be getting a blood test to confirm after a missed period?

4 moms found this helpful

S.A.

answers from Chicago on

I think you should go to the doctor for a blood test. A friend of mine never tested positive with hpt, only a blood test.

Good luck! I'm also waiting for AF to arrive.....I am three days late and having some regular PMS symptoms, and some early pregnancy symptoms. I'm scared to take a hpt, so I'm waiting and hoping...and waiting....

1 mom found this helpful

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

V. - you have your whole life ahead of you - why are you in such a rush?

Seriously. If you are that stressed over it - go get a blood test to find out you are not pregnant - if that will set your mind at ease.

Otherwise? take a deep breath and calm down.

4 moms found this helpful
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H.M.

answers from Dallas on

Since you have only been off birth control for a few months your body may just be getting adjusted to being off it and your cycles may be getting longer. I would wait on taking anymore test for at least a week. You said you are trying to save money so taking a bunch of tests is going to cost a lot. But I do understand you wanting to know. If you don't get it in another week I would call your dr and see if you can be seen. There could be other things that are causing this to happen. Try not to stress about it too much which I know is easier said than done!!! But sometimes stress will bring on a change in your cycle.

Good luck and God Bless!!!

4 moms found this helpful

D.K.

answers from Sioux City on

Birth control can do horrible things to a person's cycle. It takes a while for your body to come back around after getting off of it too. I wouldn't worry to much at this point. If you were to learn a form of NFP other than the rhythm type method it mights really help you out in getting pregnant. I used it several times in reverse to be able to conceive. It is also helpful in finding out if your hormonal balance has been interrupted and how it has been interrupted. Which may also come in handy.

EDIT. Where on earth did someone get the idea the poor girl didn't have insurance? That is jumping to conclusions and way inappropriate.

3 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Lot's of things can throw a period off besides pregnancy.
Stress is one.
Hanging around a lot of other women - their periods tend to synchronize.
Diet, your weight (too much or too little both cause fertility problems).
You are on the young side for peri-menopause symptoms but thyroid issues can throw things off.
Relax.
I'd wait it out.
Either you are pregnant or you are not.
You can keep having sex either way.
Try another pregnancy test in a week or two if your period has not shown up.
Some people do conceive right away as soon as they start trying, but most people have to try for 6 months to a year before it happens.
If nothing happens in a year, seek fertility help (husband too) so a solution can be found.

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R.M.

answers from Cumberland on

anything is possible-why not let nature take it's course and stop trying-and then it will happen

3 moms found this helpful

X.O.

answers from Chicago on

Because other possibilities were already mentioned (stress, etc.), I will throw something else out there to consider. Sometimes when our cycles are late, it might be that we DID get pregnant, but had a very early miscarriage, which is delaying our menses. Most of us have probably had a miscarriage at some point without even realizing it.

In any case, I'd just keep waiting for it, and if you are a whole month late and the tests are still negative, then I'd go to the doctor.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Portland on

Sounds like you don't have insurance and practically speaking you need to save money. For that reason I would hold off on seeing the doctor. The doctor would give you a pee stick test to begin with anyway. The doctor's use the same sort of pee test as the home pregnancy ones. He may not do a blood test at this point. Call the advice nurse and ask what they recommend.

As far as testing, you can get home pregnancy tests at the Dollar Store and they're just as accurate as the more expensive ones.

I understand that you're anxious to be pregnant. All that anxiety/stress can keep you from getting pregnant. Find a way to relax, take it one day at a time.

There are more accurate ways to know when you're ovulating. I don't know the names of the ways. You can look that up on the Internet. I do know that the mucous changes consistency/texture when you're ovulating.

2 moms found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

You're only 21... slow down and don't panic. Stress isn't helpful when you're trying to conceive, and you can miss a period/be late for any number of reasons other than pregnancy.

At this point you should call your OB and make an appointment for a check-up. They'll probably have you pee on one of their pregnancy tests and you can request that they draw blood for a pregnancy test that will be more accurate and definitive. The results for a blood test should be available within 24 hours or so.

If you're not pregnant then your OB will help you narrow down why you may be late. It's likely not a big deal. Coming off of birth control, if it was pills, can mean that it takes your body several months to adjust. At only 21, you shouldn't be in any rush to get pregnant. Just take it slow and easy and it will happen.

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A.L.

answers from Austin on

Have you changed anything else? A new diet, a new exercise routine, stress - all of that will affect your cycle.

Also, ovulation and period don't necessarily come together. Keep ttc, as long as it's still fun.

Also, fyi, my doctor's office only does blood tests under special circumstances - the at-home tests are so accurate now, that it's about the same accuracy, and cheaper, and faster for that matter, to just use the urine/stick tests anyway. That's exactly what they handed me the last time I had a test in the office.

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A.K.

answers from Bloomington on

21 days is a short cycle. Your body is probably regulating itself, which is good because you have a better chance of getting pregnant on a longer cycle than a 21 day cycle.

1 mom found this helpful

J.H.

answers from San Antonio on

Your insurance should cover the blood test. I would wait another few days and if it still doesn't start, take another test. If it's still negative, then have the blood work done.

I'm with many others though in that it could be the birth control jacking with you, or any form of stress, exhaustion, etc.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.E.

answers from Wichita Falls on

A lot of factors can throw a period off schedule, stress (even happy stress), change in diet, even getting the rest of the birth control out of your system. The is a small chance you are pregnant, but with so little hormone (not the activate the test ) it is unlikely. Wait another week and if no positive and no flow, call your doctor.

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L.M.

answers from Laredo on

Yes it's very much possible..I did the same thing and both were negative so I started with morning sickness and still negative..so finally went to the Dr and by a urine test I was POSITIVE !! So go to the Dr..and find out if your preggo's.. I wish you the best...L.

1 mom found this helpful

J.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

cycles are supposed to be 28 days maybe yours is going to that. also going at it every other day is better than constantly

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Maybe she is just late, maybe you are early pregnant... And maybe you are getting older and your body is changing... At 30... Some women's cycles begin to change.. Give it a few more days and take another test...

Good luck!

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J.L.

answers from Davenport on

Sometimes it takes a little longer for your HCG to register on the tests. I would recommend not getting the blood test, sometimes your period will run late, due to various reasons. Stress, diet, over-anxiousness :) We do Natural Family Planning, which is very reliable and helpful when you are trying to concieve. I recommend putting a thermometer between your mattress and box springs, and start taking your temp every morning right when you wake. Write them down. Your temp should be in the 98's about now. If you are pregnant, the points after the 98 will continue to climb. If you wake up and see a .4 or more drop, you are more than likely not pregnant and will be starting your period within 24 hrs. If so, keep taking your temp, and you will know when you ovulate. Your temp will go up .4 degrees. You are welcome to email me if you have any questions. Wishing you the best on your baby venture! Oh, yes, and as the other Mom stated, your mucous is most fertile when it's egg white consistency. Also go every other day on the "baby dancing". After 3 days in a row, he's pretty much shootin blanks.

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S.T.

answers from New York on

My period was always a few days off one way or the other - so a week late would have me wondering but not worrying yet. How do your boobs feel? (mine always got tender & larger as I got PMS.) Stress can affect a lot of your body's functions so if you've been dealing with a different kind of sress this weekend that could be doing it...

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