Missed Period & Negative Pregnancy Test: What to Do?

Question
I missed my period  April 21 so I took a test on April 28 it came back negative. It was a test that I had bought a while ago in a multi-pack though it had not expired. It is May 6 and I have still not gotten my period.
What should I do wait it out, take another test, or see a doctor.

Answer
Dear Roxanne,

If you have had unprotected sex during the last cycle or two, you cannot at all dismiss the possibility of pregnancy.

However, sometimes we skip periods due to other factors going on in our lives. There are many various causes for amenorrhea (absence of periods) - pregnancy being just one. Others can be:
-Hormonal imbalances, which cause fluctuating levels of the hormones needed to support menstruation
-Emotional or physical stress / Depression
-Rapid weight loss or gain
-Change in diet
-Low body weight
-Obesity
-Frequent or strenuous exercise
-Cysts or tumors in the ovaries
-Thyroid or Pituitary dysfunction
-Certain medications or drug use
-Menopause OR Premature ovarian failure (menopause before age 40)
-Occasionally stopping birth control pills

I would suggest waiting another five days and testing again. If those results are negative, you can either wait for the next cycle to see if your periods resume or have your doctor's office do a quantitative blood pregnancy test (serum beta hCG). That test will give an actual amount of hCG in your bloodstream rather than just a positive/negative result. Any amount of 25 mIU/ml or more would be considered positive for pregnancy.

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

Brenda