Missed Period & Negative Pregnancy Tests: What Could It Mean?

Question
my last period was dec 26 2006 ive had unprotected sex since then my period now is 12 days late ive been have pregnancy signs alot of them i took 2 home pregnancy test and they both came up negitive i dont know if im takeing them to early or i just missed my period for the month please someone help and tell me whats going on

Answer
Dear LaRae,

Normally I do recommend waiting until after the full week of a missed period before taking a pregnancy test. If you have done this, then the level of hCG (the pregnancy hormone) just may not be high enough to be detected yet or you are not pregnant.

My suggestion is this - since you more than likely would not be doing anything different in the next cycle anyway, if you continue to have symptoms related to early pregnancy, go ahead test once every week until your next period would be due. OR you can go to your local clinic and get a quantitative blood pregnancy (serum beta hCG) test which will give you an actual amount of hCG in your bloodstream. Any amount of 25 mIU/ml or more will be considered positive.

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

Brenda