Period 2 days late but negative test?

[Jaycee5]

Hi all! My partner and I have been TTC. Last week I had light cramping and since AF was supposed to come on Friday, I assumed the cramping was just AF coming. My period is now 2 days late but I’ve taken early detection tests and standard tests (marketed for use on first day of missed period) and all are negative. Is it possible that im pregnant and hCG is just low/ovulated late or am i delusional? I have lower back pain now, no cramping, intense nausea without vomiting and smells of certain foods are so strong it’s giving me headaches/dizziness

Just to add to this, my period has always been on time (maybe 1 day out but cannot remember the last time that occurred) and cycle usually lasts around 30 days

Unless you are tracking ovulation with temperature, there’s no way to know if you’re genuinely late. Are you temping?

If you are genuinely 2 days late due to pregnancy then you would get a clear positive on a test.

The above isn’t to say you aren’t pregnant, but that you aren’t 2 days late because you are pregnant.

@Didimum I don’t use temp to track ovulation however, it’s something I’ve considered (only started TTC 2 months ago). This cycle I tried ovulation test strips for the first time. Cycle started on 14th Oct, ovulation strips showed LH surge on 6th Nov. Took another ovulation test on 15th to check LH again and no line (not even faint) so likely LH has completely dropped now. I’m aware late ovulation doesn’t always mean pregnancy and this alone can delay AF. Though now I’m thinking about the dates logically, it doesn’t seem that ovulation was that late 🤔.

100% have thought a clear positive would have came up by now if I was late due to pregnancy. Just wondered if anyone else had experienced something similar and later got a BFP. I think I’ve gotten my hopes up this time ☹️

If your cycle started on the 14th October and your cycle is usually 30 days, then your period would have been due Weds 13th November – making you 5 days late today.

@Didimum I use a period tracking app and it has never been off, always been really reliable. Although cycle is around 30 days, last cycle was 32 and prev 31. Typically between 30-33days (sorry for confusion by saying around 30 days, this was just a rough estimate). I am going with the app on lateness given it has never given me reason to doubt it 🤣

Tests are usually positive by the time your period is late, so it could either be a late period (most likely) or a pregnancy, and the HCG is still building up. Good luck 💕

@hazelnutvanillalatte thank you for the positive vibe🫶🏼 likely to be a late period like you say but until it comes I’m holding onto that small slither of hope 🤞🏼

Still, that would mean you’re on day 36 on your cycle today, which I’m guessing isn’t normal for you.

Was the 6th the first day you tested LH? Assuming it was your first positive LH strip on the 6th then it usually takes 24-36hrs after your peak to ovulate. Which means you’d only be on 10/11 days after ovulation today, which is a very short luteal phase for you to be 2 days late.

I suggest using LH strips from day 10 of your cycle onwards, twice a day if necessary, so you can get a better picture of your cycle.

Hoping this month is your month.

Yes this would be day 36 (and abnormal). The 4th was the first day I tested and line was strong but not quite as dark as the control until 6th Nov.

thank you for your advice! It’s really helpful even if I haven’t conceived, I can take it forward to my next cycle to get a better idea of my body 😌 as you can probably tell, TTC is all very new for me!

thank you

With my first pregnancy, I didn't get a positive until what should have been day 3 of my period. I tested the day it was due and the day after, both negative. Tested again the next day and got a VERY faint line (husband didn't believe I was pregnant it was so faint!). That faint line is now a 2 and a half year old!

I have a short luteal phase so my theory is that because my period would have been due at 10dpo, when it was late the embryo had only just implanted and so HCG wasn't high enough yet. Definitely test again tomorrow (really crossing my fingers for you).

I think women's bodies have a bad habit of throwing them crazy curveball cycles right when they decide to TTC. Really messes with your head.

Have you started taking conception vitamins? Anecdotally, they can mess with your cycle length

I have started folic acid 400mcg and I take vitamin D 10mcg through oct-mar (given UK gov guidance not pregnancy related). I have a history of folate anaemia so have been on higher strength folic acid prev but at that time I was on the mini-pill so unaware of any changes in cycle as was not actively having a period/withdrawal bleed. By any chance is folic acid the common culprit for some TTC?

I’m not sure why, but if you Google: “pregnacare conception vitamins late period “ there are quite a few links which might be of interest!

Goes to show every woman’s body is different and each pregnancy journey is unique!

I will keep testing! Not fully out yet but losing the glimmer of hope as time goes on… thank you for sharing your story and giving positive energy 🫶🏼

very interesting 🤔 I will have a look!!