Negative pregnancy test 3 weeks after intercourse

Hello,

Thank you for choosing DoctorSpring.

If the pregnancy test is negative even after 4 weeks of having sex, it is highly unlikely that you are pregnant. The tests should have detected pregnancy if it was there.

In order to give a more solid opinion I would like to know 1. whether you are having regular periods ? If so what is the cycle duration ?

2. You have mentioned that you had sex in the safe period, 1 week before periods. But also mentioned that your periods are due tomorrow that after 4 weeks. Kindly clarify. You can just mention your last menstural period, the date you had sex and the date you did the testing

3. What kind of testing did you do ? Urine Pregnancy test ?

You can reply as a followup
Thank you

Patient replied :

i was taking norethisterone to help skip my period. Normally i would have period on the 5th of december...but because i was taking norethisterone to help skip this period I ddint have this period. I stopped taking norethistereone on the 8th of december, which would have been day four of my period if i had not taken this pill. I then got the withdrawal bleed three days after stopping norethistereone. I was having unprotected sex from Monday 2nd of december through to 8th december. so would have been having sex three days before my period and some days during. My cycle is normally 28 days sometimes 25 but generally 28 days. I have had symptoms for the past three weeks of nausea and headaches and cramps which i assumed to be just side effects from taking norethistereone. Also as i stopped taking the pills it means that my period is now going to be due tomorrow instead as i have skipped a period. But now i dont feel like i will be period. I dont have any PMS symptoms that i normally have. They stopped roughly three days ago. For the past three weeks ive felt like my period will come any day and now a few days before my period this feeling is completely gone and i feel like it wont come. I took ovulations test to see if i was ovulating, as i thought if a test showed me i was ovulating...then it would mean that i couldnt be pregnant...however these ovulaton tests have now been showing positive for the past seven days. And i am aware you should only ovulate for two days and you should ovulate 14 days before your period and not seven days. I took a urine home pregnancy test around four days ago which would have been three weeks and four days since unprotected sex. I read online that its possible still to be pregnant and get postive ovulation results and now im worried becuse I feel wet sometimes as if my period is here...and i got ot the bathroom to just find that its a clear discharge which generally i have anyway before my period but seems to be more this time. Ive had it all week and normally only get it a few days before my period is due.

Hello,

It is most likely that norethisterone has slightly altered your mentural cycle. It may take 1 or 2 cycles to normalise and to be back to a regular periods. However pregnancy would have been diagnosed in most (99%) cases within 3-4 weeks. (I assume the test was done properly). With modern urine test kits the results are pretty fast and good.

You can ignore the positive ovulation strip readings as it is false positive sign. ( due to the hormonal imbalance).

However if you miss the periods for 1 more week, I recommend you to repeat the pregnancy test , with an early morning urine sample, just to be sure.

Hope this helps
Feel free to ask for followups and clarifications
Thank you

Waiting to take a pregnancy test when you think you may be pregnant can be excruciating. If you’ve recently had unprotected sex or experienced contraception failure, you probably want to know as soon as possible.

Before you begin to worry or make any plans, taking a home pregnancy test is a good first step. Of course, if you want to skip the home test, make an appointment

When Should You Take a Pregnancy Test (For Best Results)?

Option 1: Before You Miss Your Period

The earlier you take a test, the less accurate it will be. Taking a test before you miss your period or less than two weeks after sex can cause a false negative. Some women take a test too early and assume they are not pregnant. This can be especially confusing if a woman spots or bleeds during her first trimester, making her believe she had her period.

We see clients who are already entering their second trimester by the time they notice more obvious pregnancy symptoms and are shocked to find out they are pregnant.

Option 2: Two Weeks Later

Many women test according to the “two weeks” rule. This can provide accurate results for women with a predictable 28-day cycle and who ovulate once at a regular interval. However, some women’s cycles are not as predictable, or medications such as birth control and antibiotics can change their cycle and ovulation date. Stress can also cause interruptions in a regular or typically predictable cycle.

Option 3: After You Miss Your Period

The best time to take a pregnancy test is when your period is supposed to start or after you realize your period is late. If your results were still unreadable or inconclusive, retake another pregnancy test the next day. For more accurate results, take the test when you first wake up. The hCG hormone is higher and more concentrated in the morning. If the test is negative, but you still think you may be pregnant, wait a few more days and test again. HCG nearly doubles about every two days in early pregnancy. If the results are inconclusive (or the results are positive, but you’re still unsure), make an appointment with us and know for sure.

Pregnancy Confirmation

Taking a home pregnancy test is often the first step. We’re your second. At your pregnancy confirmation appointment and options consultation, you can determine if the pregnancy is viable and how far along you are. We will also share accurate medical information on all your pregnancy options, including abortion, adoption, and parenting. A home pregnancy test is an indicator of pregnancy, not a confirmation. That’s why you
need an ultrasound to verify an intrauterine pregnancy.

Whether you are considering an abortion or are looking for pregnancy resources, we are here with options, answers, and support.

All our services are free of charge and we do not benefit from any decision you make.

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