Clomid Cycle Delayed Period & Lower Abdomen Pain: What Could It Be?

Question
Hello, I am currently taking Clomid for fertility problems.  I finished my 2nd cycle this past month and I recently went to my obgyn for my pap and @ my visit he told me if I didnt get my period in days 26 thru 30 to let him know.  Today is day 32 and I have not had it yet and have pain in my lower abdomen, feels like pressure and I have to urinate often.  There is also hardening in my lower abd.  but I have taken 5 PT tests and all are negative.  My dr is closed so I can not contact him for the next few days.  What should I do and what could it be?  (just a little past history..... I have had 2 m/c and about 2 yrs back I had my rt. fall tube rupture due to tubal preg. and had it partially removed)

Answer
Dear Michele,

Your symptoms could be a variety of things - bloating related to delayed menses and/or your hormone fluctuations, the build up of the endometrial lining causing enough abdominal hardness that you note it, or early pregnancy and you just don't have high enough hCG levels yet to get a positive reading. With the frequent urination, a urinary tract infection cannot even be ruled out from where I sit. It is just too difficult to even try to diagnose based on symptoms without an exam and testing.

The tests you have taken were done pretty early if you've already done five by CD 32. I typically suggest that women wait until the week after a missed or spotty period before testing, which is usually around CD 36 or about 3 weeks after conception. Some women can get a positive result sooner, but waiting tends to minimize false negative results simply due to low hCG at the very beginning of a pregnancy.

My advice would be to wait another 3-4 days and re-test if you have not gotten a period. Make sure to use 1st morning urine when you are testing to get a concentrated sample for the most accurate results.

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

Brenda