12 negative pregnancy tests but missed last 2 periods
Question
I have a very irregular cycle and periods are very erratic. I’ve missed my last two periods. I’ve done over 12 urine tests and all have a negative outcome. I’ve had two prior abortions and am very paranoid that I may be pregnant, so I do urine test regularly. I also am a little stressed out about certain issues. I hate doctors and don’t wanna go and get an ultrasound as my boyfriend suggests. Could I be pregnant? Is there any way of finding out without going to a doc? Thank you very much. I’d be very grateful if you help me out.
Answer
Last Updated: July 3, 2013
The modern in-home pregnancy tests (which is what I am assuming you have taken) are very effective as a preliminary indication of pregnancy. While it is possible to get a false positive if you are newly pregnant (sometime within the first few weeks of pregnancy), it is not as likely that this is the case, given the the fact that you have taken over twelve tests in the past months which have all been negative. So something else must be going on with your body. Can you find out what, without medical assistance — probably not. Just as a suggestion, you might consider abstaining from intercourse until you actually know what’s going on with your body, to reduce the possibility of achieving a pregnancy and the possibility (given your prior history) of another abortion.
There are many other possible causes of your erratic cycles. The one that comes to my mind immediately is stress. Physical or emotional stress can in effect “shut down” a woman’s normal cycles of fertiity, causing ovulation much later than anticipated and thereby causing a much longer cycle. That’s only one possibility; there are other causes (organic or hormonal) for which you will need medical evaluation. I can understand your concern if you have had difficulties in the past with doctors. Since you have addressed your letter to this NFP list, you should consider finding one of our NFP doctors. These doctors are concerned with the causes of women’s gynecological problems, not just a quick fix to mask symptoms. I don’t think you would be disappointed with their care. Good luck and really consider that abstinence thing. It will take a weight off your mind if you aren’t engaged in pregnancy-causing behavior.
Pamela Polis
There are many other possible causes of your erratic cycles. The one that comes to my mind immediately is stress. Physical or emotional stress can in effect “shut down” a woman’s normal cycles of fertiity, causing ovulation much later than anticipated and thereby causing a much longer cycle. That’s only one possibility; there are other causes (organic or hormonal) for which you will need medical evaluation. I can understand your concern if you have had difficulties in the past with doctors. Since you have addressed your letter to this NFP list, you should consider finding one of our NFP doctors. These doctors are concerned with the causes of women’s gynecological problems, not just a quick fix to mask symptoms. I don’t think you would be disappointed with their care. Good luck and really consider that abstinence thing. It will take a weight off your mind if you aren’t engaged in pregnancy-causing behavior.
Pamela Polis
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