Late Period & Possible Pregnancy: Symptoms & Testing

Question
My period was due the second of this month and has yet to arrive. My breast are tender much longer than when my period is getting ready to come, my skin is breaking out, I've also been extremely tired and very emotional for some unknown reason. I've taken two pregnancy test a day apart and they both came out negative. Is there a strong possibility that I'm testing too early, or that I'm even pregnant?

Answer
Dear Renee,

If your period is now late by a week, a pregnancy test should be able to pick up the pregnancy hormone at this point. If you were testing last week, it may have still been a bit early.

I would suggest that you test again now that you have missed the full week of your period and make sure that you use 1st morning urine to get a concentrated sample for the most accurate results. If the results are negative again, and you continue to have symptoms with no period, try testing every 5-7 days until the next period is due. If you miss that period again and still continue to test negative for pregnancy, I would suggest seeing your doctor for a quantitative blood pregnancy test which gives an actual amount of hCG in your bloodstream. If that is also negative (less than 25 mIU/ml), then your doctor may need to do some additional hormone testing and possibly order a medication to "kick start" your periods again. A hormonal imbalance may be to blame for the lack of periods and symptoms if you continue to test negative for pregnancy.

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

Brenda