What Should I Consider If I Have a Late Period but a Negative Pregnancy Test?

Family Medicine, University of California San Diego Health System

Supervised by Garrett Kneese, MD, MPH

If you have a late period but a negative pregnancy test, it might be because you tested too early or because other factors are affecting your cycle. Always consider retesting or speaking with your healthcare provider for more guidance.

Explanation

A negative pregnancy test with a late period does not always mean you are not pregnant. Sometimes, if you take the test too soon, the hormone hCG may not be high enough for the test to pick up, which can lead to a false negative result. Here are some things to think about:

Timing of the test: Pregnancy tests are most reliable when you use them after your missed period, about 10-15 days after missing.
Test instructions: Make sure you follow the directions carefully and use the first urine of the day, which is more concentrated.
Other reasons for a late period: Stress, changes in weight, or a hormonal imbalance can also cause your period to be late.
Uncertainty of dates: If you are not sure when your last period was, timing problems might affect your test result.
Follow-up: If you still have concerns, repeat the test in a few days or contact your healthcare provider. They might perform a blood test or an ultrasound to get clearer answers.

Taking these steps can help you understand your situation better and guide you on next steps.

(References)

Wiwanitkit V. Implication of negative urine pregnancy testing in subjects with unknown last menstrual period. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2006;33(1):26-7. PMID: 16761534.
Reitz J, Hartman BC, Chase ME, Krause D, Cates AL. A Case of a Negative Urine Pregnancy Test in a Multiple Gestation Pregnancy. Cureus. 2022 Oct 26;14(10):e30725. doi: 10.7759/cureus.30725. PMID: 36447678; PMCID: PMC9699690.
Anderson J, Ghaffarian KR. Early Pregnancy Diagnosis. [Updated 2023 Jan 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet].

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Learn more about diseases

Pregnancy

Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?

Try our AI-based symptom check

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, you can get an free AI-powered report on possible causes

Tips to try:

Provide specific, detailed info about all symptoms you have.
Give accurate information about yourself including current conditions.
Answer all follow-up questions

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes, and the provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical practice. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.