When should I go to my doctor for a missed period?

Question

My period is late by 5 days. I have tried three different pregnancy tests on three different days, and they all come up negative. I have always been irregular with my periods (except when on the pill), but I have never gone this long without a period. The longest I have ever gone without menstrating, while off the pill, is 18 days (except when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter 5 years ago). My husband and I are trying to get pregnant, but the test results are very frustrating. I am overweight, but no more now than I have been, and I have only missed my period this month. Could I still be pregnant, and when should I go to the doctor?

Answer 1

The tests are usually very accurate so it is very very unlikely that you are pregnant. Stress - either desperately wanting to get pregnant or being desperately afraid of it - can cause delayed periods, which can then exacerbate it.

Answer 2

Your period can be affected by many things. If it's always been irregular by a few days, I wouldn't worry too much at this point, but make an appointment in about a week or two. Your period is actually determined by when you ovulated - about 2 weeks after ovulation occurs you will have a period. Ovulation does not always occur on day 14 of the cycle - and ovulation can be delayed by stress. Also, home pregnancy tests are sensitive but again, if you ovulated later then they would not show positive as early.

Give it a week or two before calling the doctor - and then if you aren't pregnant have him do some tests to see why you're irregular. It's possible something has changed in your body or lifestyle that you've missed that is causing the change.

Also, an 18 day cycle is EXTREMELY short - so you may be experiencing a more normal cycle. Usually (and this is not the case for everyone) women ovulate between days 7 and 17 and have a cycle of 21-32 days. Shorter cycles can be indicative of some other health problems, so I'd go ahead and have your doctor check you for thyroid problems and PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome).

Having a regular period will give you more peace of mind too.

Also, check out the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. You can learn about charting your cycles and that will help you and your doctor figure out what's going on as well.

I wish you luck!

Answer 3

If you have been irregular in the past I would wait another week. Your cycle may just be changing (I know you don't want to hear that and you are TTC, but it happens). My cycle changed while I was trying to concieve a couple of months ago and I was seven days late. On the other hand you may very well be pregnant and the hcg hormone is not strong enought to detect pregnancy yet. In a week if nothing has showed up then go to the doctor and request a blood test.

As or right now, stop stressing and let you body do what it is doing (stress can interupt). Think positive and treat yourself as though you are pregnant. Only you truely know your body and if something is not right to you go with it. Wishing You Lots of Luck and 'baby dust'... I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Answer 4

if you are having cycle problems and you want to get pregnant I would suggest seeing your doctor to talk about some help, maybe some hormones might help straighten things out or a couple months on birth control... also if your cycles are irregular, you may not be technically "late" your period is actually due about 14 days after ovulation.. so if you ovulate late in your cycle, your period would come later, as would a positive pg test if indeed you did concieve. Best of luck to you :)

Answer 5

I would say wait until about 2 weeks. Take vitamins now though, just in case, and lay off of any drinking until you know for sure. Better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 6

usually when your period is 2 weeks late
so wait a while then make an appointment