Early Pregnancy Symptoms & Negative Test: What Could It Mean?

Question
i had a very lite period last month it last two day . i am 7 days late this month my breast are sore i am tried all the time and i cant seem to get full . but i have taken two pregnancy test and the were both negative could i be pregnant even though the test are negative?

Answer
Dear Jami,

Some women have a terrible time getting a positive reading from home pregnancy tests early on in a pregnancy. To be absolutely certain you are not pregnant, you can go to your doctor's office and request a quantitative blood pregnancy test (serum beta hCG). That test will give an actual amount of hCG in your bloodstream rather than simply a positive/negative result.

The symptoms you describe are hormonal in nature and can be related to early pregnancy but they can also be related to hormone surges within our cycles. That is why it so difficult to "diagnose" a pregnancy based on symptoms alone.

There are many various causes for amenorrhea (absence of normal periods) - pregnancy being just one. Others can be:
-Hormonal abnormalities, 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

The general recommendation is that if you miss three consecutive periods and pregnancy is not the reason, you should see your doctor so that a cause can be determined.

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

Brenda