QuestionI am 42 my lmp was April 2, I took 4 hpt all neg. I have been having signs of pregnancy, mild cramps, tired, bloated etc. I have never missed a period, always regular 29 days. I had an ultra sound a couple of months ago to make sure I could have children everything was great and I was told my ovulation was around day 18. If my hpt are still neg after I miss this period in a couple of days what are my chance of being pregnant, if I am not pregnant what is going on because this has never happen to me. Also, I am not under a lot of stress. Thanks
AnswerDear Tracy,
In our early 40s, our menstrual cycles can naturally tend to begin to lengthen. Women who have had regular 28 day cycles for their entire lives will begin to have 30, then 31, then 32 days cycles, and so on. (I have personal experience to back this data up!) :-) Women can also begin to skip their periods in their early 40s. These changes can sometimes start gradually or can begin without warning. This may or may not be is what is occurring in your case.
At this point, you are 3 weeks, 3 days late (according to your 29 day cycle history). If pregnant, you would be approximately 7 weeks, 4 days now so a pregnancy test should easily be able to detect pregnancy by now.
If you do not get a period in the next week, you can go ahead and re-test. Make sure to use 1st morning urine to get a concentrated sample for the most accurate results. If that test is also negative, and you continue to suspect pregnancy, you can get a quantitative blood pregnancy test (serum beta hCG) at your doctors office. 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.
Otherwise, 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 information has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
