Negative Pregnancy Test, But Experiencing Symptoms? What Could It Mean?

Question
Hi, First off all I hope you are doing well on your end and Im very sorry to hear about your turmoil at home, and thank you for still volunteering your time to help us.  Ill try to make it as quick as possible although it is a bit complicated.  Im 23, and never been pregnant before.  I have normal periods always on time and usually lasting 4-5 days with a regular flow, not light and not heavy.  Here is a brief timeline of whats going on
LMP-March 25th/26th

Ovulation- April 9th/10th (unprotected sex around that time)

Symptoms started- April 16th/17th (included, breasts getting bigger and tender, nipples larger and more sensitive, some itchiness on both, blue veins started to appear across breasts fatigue, more frequent bathroom trips even waking up in the middle of the night to go which I normally dont do, random mildheadaches which I normally dont get, constipation mild mild cramping, an acne flare and increased resting pulse of between high 70s and high 90s when its normally in the high 50s to mid 60s )

Expecting AF April 23rd/24th but only had light tan stringy CM when I wiped on the 23rd and then darker brown stringy CM when I wiped on the 24th.  Woke up on the 25th at 2am to a gushy feeling and dark red eggwhite consistancy CM when I wiped which happened alot on Sunday about every 2 hours, never made it to the pad just when I wiped.  Yesterday the 26th it was very light watery red and then as of last night at 12am no bleeding or spotting whatsoever.

I had a blood test yesterday and it came back today as negative.  However I still feel pregnant and have heard of alot of women being pregnant and having healthy babies but testing negative even on blood tests up until sometimes the 3rd month and still having vaginal bleeding every month.  I was just wondering if you have heard of or seen any cases of this and what causes it.  Also if Im not pregnant what is causing the blue veins still on my breasts, even though they arent as sensitive anymore but they havent gone down in size.  My pulse is still between 70s and 90s but otherwise Im fine.  I know I dont have a UTI or anything, Im perfectly fine other than the symptoms Ive mentioned above.  ANy help or insight would be greatly appreciated, thanks soo much again for your time.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Erica

Answer
Dear Erica,

Thank you for your kind words. :)

The symptoms you describe are all hormonal in nature and occur somewhat as a sidebar to pregnancies due to a surge in hormones. The surge in hormones can occur without a pregnancy being present also - that is the problem with trying to diagnose a pregnancy based on symptoms alone. Blood tests are typically spot-on absolute in accuracy. Urine tests - not as much. However, it sounds like you had that blood test done very early - just 16 days after ovulation (approximately). It's possible that your hCG level just wasn't high enough yet. A reading of 25 mIU/ml would be needed for them to consider it positive for pregnancy.

My thought is that it was probably an unusual, spotty period - for whatever reason. I would suggest that you simply wait and see what the next cycle brings. If you have another very light cycle or no period at all, definitely re-test. Until then, try to relax. If you are trying to conceive, stress can be the biggest barrier to doing so.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda