Understanding Negative Pregnancy Tests with Irregular Periods

Question
I am 27 years old and have one daughter.  I was diagnosed with PCOS after the birth of my daughter 2 1/2 years ago.  About a year and a half ago, I began treatments of clomid, metformin, ovidrel, etc. to no avail.  I stopped all treatments about 6 months ago.  Since then, my cycles are 36-37 days long consistently.  My last cycle began on November 6.  On December 18, I went for a blood pregnancy test anditwas negative.  I still do not have my period.  The doctor has basically given up on the chance of a pregnancy.   Should I have another blood test? Or should I just wait until it's time for my next cycle to see if I get my period by then?

Answer
Dear Kim,

A blood pregnancy (serum beta hCG) test will pick up the presence of the pregnancy hormone in virtually any "pregnant" amount. This is a quantitative test, meaning it gives an actual amount of hCG found in the blood and is the most accurate test. A qualitative blood pregnancy test simply tests for the presence of hCG in your bloodstream and gives a 'yes or no' finding. This test is just slightly more accurate than a urine test.

Urine tests have to have hCG be present at a certain level, depending on the brand name - the absolute lowest level being 20 mIU/mL. A serum beta hCG (quantitative) test can measure amounts ranging from 5 mIU/mL. Any amount below that would be considered a non-pregnant level.

Therefore, if you had a negative urine and qualitative test, more than likely you are not pregnant. A more specific test does exist, but you'd have to find out if they actually ran the beta test. If you have this history of irregular cycles due to PCOS then, unfortunately, the interruption in your cycles may very well be related to that. My suggestion is to wait and see if you have another period. If you do not, then you can test again. If that test is also negative, then you are probably dealing with a recurrence of your PCOS symptoms. I would not ever completely give up on another pregnancy, however. Pregnancies have happened with PCOS sufferers when least expected!

I hope this information has helped you and answered your questions. Have a merry Christmas!

Brenda