Unusual period- pregnant or menopause

[kelly65]

I am 46 years old and am very cycle regular with 29 day cycles.  I had an unplanned pregnancy at age 44 that ended in miscarriage at 13 weeks in spite of a normal cvs genetics test.  We have neither been trying hard to get pregnant or not get pregnant since then.  My last period started on May 25 and lasted for my average 4 days.  On day 16 I began having a light brown discharge that lasted 4 days.  Not to be too detailed,  but this was so light that it was primarily on the toilet paper and only a tiny spot twice on my underwear.  No cramping or feeling bad like a normal period.  My real period was due this past Wednesday, June 22 and has not come.  I immediately took a urine pregnancy test- negative on Wednesday afternoon and again on Friday morning.  I am going to test again in the morning.  The pregnancy that I had at age 44 did not show a positive urine test when I tested 6 days after my period was late so I am both excited and nervous that I could be pregnant again.  I know that no one knows for sure, but anyone ever had a phantom period during menopause or in pregnancy?  I will obviously see my doctor next week if I can't figure out whats going on.  I will be very happy if I am pregnant and this time I will transfer to a high risk doctor as my sister wanted me to do last time- she's a nurse.  Keep me in your prayers please.

[kelly65]

Started what seems to be a normal period on July 1 st.  I am probably peri-menopausal.
Thanks for all the support- we must play the hand we are given and mine has been great with the two awesome kids I have now.  Maybe I was being too greedy!

[ChristineMP]

For some women, it takes an extra week or two for a urine test to show pregnant (and very rarely, a woman will never test positive by urine test only with a blood test).

You may want to have your health care provider do blood tests for your hCG levels...those don't give false results (positive or negative).

[adgal]

Hi there. Perimenopause does not necessarily have all the symptoms you typically read about with menopause.  In perimenopause it is common for your cycles to begin to become irregular.  Double check with your Dr., but I believe this is because your ovarian reserve is getting low.  You are not considered in menopause until you haven''t had a period for a year.  The reason miscarriage odds begin to increase with age is simply the quality of our eggs.  The vast majority of first trimester loss is due to a chromonsonal abnormality which is more typical in those of us of advanced maternal age.  I have miscarried 7 times in the past 4 years.  I also had one normal healthy pregnancy at 40 that gave me my amazing little boy.  Having miscarried once does not increase your odds of a second.

Sometimes a slow to reach positive can mean a chemical pregnancy which is simply a very early loss.  Many women think they are just having a late and heavier then average period.  I know my Dr. likes to see HCG levels of around 100 at 4 weeks of pregnancy (2 weeks post conception).  However, false negatives are not uncommon.  Typically it's because of the way the test was used or a not very sensitive test, although I don't believe there are any out there less sensitive then 100.  But yes, slow rising HCG levels are often an indication that something isn't progressing properly.

I understand how emotionally difficult dealing with miscarriage is.  I'm sorry you had that experience.  I do hope that you have conceived again and things go smoothly.  I am currently trying to conceive my second as well.

If this is something you really want and you are prepared to do what it takes, see an RE. There are options available, and also tests that can be run to determine the likelyhood of you being able to conceive naturally.

Good luck, and please let us know how you are doing.

[kdubb274]

I'm praying for you.

[kelly65]

Thanks for your reply.  I am not having any menopause symptoms although I know that I am certainly in the required age group.  Do the weird periods generally come before the hot flashes and other symptoms?  My other burning question is- is it common for someone my age to have false negatives on the home pregnancy test, as I did 2 years ago in the early days of pregnancy, possibly due to low hormone levels.  And, does false negative on an early pregnancy test sometimes indicate and increased likelihood of a miscarriage due to placental issues, uterine lining issues, hormone issues, etc.  As you can probably tell, I am still deeply troubled by by miscarriage.  I have two wonderful, healthy, happy, smart and successful , almost grown children.  I am a very blessed woman, but I think about my missing little girl many times everyday.  

[adgal]

Hi there.  To be entirely honest, today's HPT's are typically super accurate once you have missed a period.  Even the least sensitive are rated at about 100, so should show a positive at that time. Of course there is always the exception, but nowadays they are so sensitive it's few and far between.  Do if I had to guess I would probably guess that you are not.  However, anything is certainly possible, so it's good your taking a test in the morning with first morning urine.

I am also typically very regular, but in the last 6 months have had the odd off cycle.  Either late or early, and also at least one with very minimal bleeding.  This is common in perimenopause which women can be in for up to 10 years before actually going through menopause.    That being said, bleeding is also not uncommon in first trimester pregnancy - about 30% will experience some form of bleeding.

Good luck with your test in the morning.  I hope you didn't take my comments as negative, just had to be honest.  Hope it's a positive and don't forget to update us!!