When your period is late with no sign of a positive pregnancy test, it can be upsetting and confusing. If your normally regular periods have suddenly become irregular, or stopped, think about whether anything has changed in your lifestyle. Show Nine reasons you might miss your period1. Pregnancy It is possible to get a false negative on a pregnancy test (where the test says you're not pregnant even though you are), particularly if you test too early, or don't follow the instructions exactly. If you're in any doubt about the results of your pregnancy test, try waiting a few days and testing again. 2. Stress Severe stress can affect your hormones, which could cause changes to your menstrual cycle, or even stop your periods altogether. Learn more about how stress affects your menstrual cycle, and get tips on what to do about it. 3. Being overweight or obese Being overweight (with a BMI of 25 or more) or obese (with a BMI of 30 or more) can also affect your hormone balance and menstrual cycle. If you're finding it difficult to manage your weight, and it's affecting your periods, your GP may be able to refer you to a dietitian or other local services, who'll help you lose the weight safely. 4. Sudden weight loss Being underweight, or losing weight very quickly, can mean that you're not getting enough calories for a healthy menstrual cycle. If you have a body mass index (BMI) under 18.5, or are suffering from an eating disorder such as anorexia, speak to your GP. She may refer you to a specialist who can help you get back to a healthy weight, which should get your periods back to normal, too. 5. Extreme exercise 6. The contraceptive pill If you're taking the pill, it's perfectly normal for you to have the occasional missed period. Provided your period returns the next time it's due, there's no need to worry. Other types of contraception, such as the progestogen-only pill (mini pill), contraceptive injection and intrauterine system (IUS) can stop your periods altogether. However, your periods should return as soon as you stop using the mini pill or IUS, and within a year of the injection wearing off. 7. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that can prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg each month. Symptoms of PCOS include:
Learn more about PCOS, including how it's treated. If you have a long-term health condition, such as thyroid problems, diabetes or coeliac disease, this can also affect your menstrual cycle. Some types of medication, such as antidepressants and epilepsy medication, can also affect your hormones. So if you have any kind of health problem, it's worth speaking to your GP to see if this could be affecting your periods. 9. The menopause The menopause is when a woman stops having periods naturally, as part of the ageing process. It usually happens after the age of 45, and is often accompanied by symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and difficulty sleeping. If you are going through the menopause, your periods won't return, and you won't be able to get pregnant naturally. However, it's still worth seeing your GP, who can confirm the menopause and prescribe medication to help with any symptoms you may be experiencing. She can also give you information about other options for having a child, such as adoption or surrogacy. What to do if your periods have stoppedIf you miss more than three periods in a row, and pregnancy tests are negative, see your GP. She'll ask you some questions about your medical history, and may arrange for you to have some tests, such as a blood test, to find out exactly what's causing your missed periods. If necessary, she'll refer you to a specialist who'll make sure that you get the care you need. More information:
Polly Logan-Banks is an experienced editor with a keen interest in producing evidence-based content. Polly is passionate about ensuring that every child gets the best start in life. Can you test negative 4 days after missed period and still be pregnant?Yes, it is possible. Getting a negative result doesn't mean you're not pregnant, it may just mean your hCG levels are not high enough for the test to detect the hormone in your urine.
Why is my period 4 days late and negative?The most common reason for a late period and a negative pregnancy test is that your period is simply delayed and you're not pregnant. Having one or two irregular cycles a year is not unusual and does not mean there is something wrong. Reasons your period might be late include: Breastfeeding.
Is 4 days late too early to test?You should wait to take a pregnancy test until the week after your missed period for the most accurate result. If you don't want to wait until you've missed your period, you should wait at least one to two weeks after you had sex. If you are pregnant, your body needs time to develop detectable levels of HCG.
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