2 weeks late, negative tests

[meghan427]

I am extremely confused and not sure what to do. I moved to Quito, Ecuador in August (which has an altitude of 9,000 feet). I got my period on Sept 5 and usually have around a 30 day cycle. In October, I missed my period and am now 2 weeks late, but have had all negative tests. Since August, I have only had intercourse two times (once in August before I left, and on September 3rd. When I was pregnant before, I took the pregnancy test 2 days before my period was due and it came up positive every time, but now all of the tests after I missed my period have been negative. I am under a lot of stress and all of the girls I am with have had problems with their periods as well (being extremely heavy, being late, etc.) but I am worried because I am having lower back pain, some light cramping, a little bit of nauseousness, and had spotting for 2 days. I'm not sure if I am actually pregnant, or if the stress and altitude has affected my period.  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From your symptoms, chances of pregnancy are less. False positive pregnancy test can be due to faulty technique or expired kit usage, certain medications such as phenothiazine, hcG therapy. Certain medical condition though rare can cause false positive test such as choriocarcinoma, ovarian cancer etc. The best way to eliminate these possibilities is to do serum pregnancy test and ultrasound.

I hope it helps. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[meghan427]

Hello,
Thank you so much for your help. I'm curious though because the first time I was pregnant I took a hpt 2 days before my missed period and it showed up positive right away, and now I'm more than 2 weeks late and it is still showing up negative. I think it is only possible that I am pregnant from the first time I had intercourse (in August), so is it really possible that I am pregnant?
Thanks again!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
This delaying of period can be due to stress but pregnancy should be completely ruled out first. If you miss your periods then you can test 1 week- 10 days after you miss your periods or you can test for pregnancy by a highly sensitive pregnancy test 10 days post ovulation with a sensitive ( 20 - 25 mIU ) pregnancy test. Also I would suggest you to get your serum HCG levels estimated since this is more specific than urine for pregnancy tests. The HCG (it is a hormone) levels rise only in pregnancy and its presence will confirm the status of your pregnancy.
I hope it helps. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.