Negative test, but I think I’m pregnant?

Stress is a major factor in irregular cycles. Whatever is stressful for you, is considered stressful. Moving would probably be stressful for most everyone and should be considered high on the list of why you are late this cycle. You may ovulate later in this cycle.

However, that doesn’t explain why you feel pregnant. Endometriosis is a large factor in infertility and painful menstruation. A large percentage of women with endometriosis experience luteal phase defects which is improper hormonal parameters in the postovulatory phase of the cycle. In other words, the estrogen and especially the progesterone levels are off.

Based on your history of “being like clockwork”, I imagine that the endometriosis is not having a great impact on the regularity of your cycles. You are probably ovulating regularly.

What I would be most concerned with at this point is that either you are pregnant and the blood work was a false negative or you have developed a cyst (an unruptured follicle). I would recommend getting another pregnancy test, urinary or by blood. Of course, you should start taking a general vitamin with folic acid for best development of the child. (This is recommended for all women of reproductive age.)

If you have a cyst, you should be seen again by your physician. The overwhelming majority of cysts are benign and resolve on their own. Sometimes they will cause pain and occasionally rupture. The best treatment is not birth control pills as is standardly used, but a progesterone injection.

I would recommend the above and continue to chart. Be sure to follow up with your physician and bring your chart. Most physicians are not familiar with charting, but patients can go a long way in educating and exciting them about the great information found on charts!

Dr. Marsh