Should I go to the doctor?

[mumofadoodle]

I am currently 5 days late on my period, but as someone who has a regular 28 day cycle it is extremely out of sorts. Neither DH or I use any form of contraception so it is obviously entirely possible that I am pregnant but I have taken 3 tests now (one a morning for the last 3 mornings) and they are all totally negative. Not even a faint line in the slightest.

So my question is when do I ring the doctors? Currently I feel a little silly to say I am not even a week late and I don't even have a positive pregnancy test.

Also as not to drip feed, the last time I was late.. I was pregnant.

I wouldn’t bother. You may get a positive pregnancy test, or you may get your period. What can a GP do?

They usually say to book an appointment once you've had a positive pregnancy test but you know your body better than anyone else.

You could always call GP and tell the receptionist of the situation and they should advise you as to wether or not to book an appointment

What would you expect the doctor to do?

In my mind the GP would be able to tell, either through an examination or naively, I assumed their tests would be more accurate than a supermarket one

No, GP’s use the same tests so no point going now.

Keep testing at home. Occasional late periods can be normal. (I’m a GP).

GP tests are less sensitive than many home tests. And there is nothing to feel/see so early on.

I found that having unprotected sex with my fiancé messed with my cycles. I was 28 days and clockwork before TTC but haven’t been whilst we were trying to conceive. Whether it was the sperm or the stress of wanting to conceive, or both, who knows. Sometimes you will just have a funny cycle, doesn’t need to be a pregnancy to do that. Just another one of Mother natures tricks I’m afraid. In the same way as you will spot a million pregnancy symptoms in the TWW and then get your period - you are now more attuned to your body so you feel the ‘symptoms’ you’ve had all along that are just part of your usual PMS pattern that you’ve never noticed/

Good luck TTC OP.

Thanks everyone, I guess it's just a waiting game and I am highly impatient - my DH would say there's nothing new there

I am going to get another test (I'm thinking a better quality early testing like Clear Blue rather than my cheap supermarket ones) and I'll test again on Wednesday. That will be 7 days late.

Thanks for your insight @PlonkyPlink - how long should I wait (without a negative test) before I contact the doctor?

@Keyboard91 I hadn't thought of that, although I can say I am feeling more stressed at the lack on negative tests when I have been so regular for what feels like forever. We aren't actively TTC (using ovulation tests etc) just not doing anything to stop it either, and if it happens it happens. Good luck on your journey TTC

@mumofadoodle it’s a torturous waiting game! Can I suggest pink dye tests like FRER. I heard a lot of people say blue dye was bad but tried it anyway as it was clearblue and a respectable brand. Second test went in the bin! FRER saw me through 2 MCs and my current pregnancy 7+4 - I personally wouldn’t use anything else now!

I was in the same situation, my doctor said he wouldn't see me until my period was 3months late.

I got a positive pregnancy test around 2-3 weeks after my missed period. And according to dates/measurement the baby was conceived the week my period should have been. Think my cycle was delayed because of the stress I was putting myself under trying to conceive.

Lots of things can affect when you ovulate (illness, stress, changes to usual routine, even travel) and that would then push back your period. You can also have occasional anovulatory cycles for absolutely no reason and have blood tests come back ‘normal’.

Also, few GP surgeries will do anything to look into late periods until they’re 2-3 months late, and even then it would be to start with a fertility panel of blood tests and to tell you to go away and wait for it to turn up.

Unfortunately, for now at least, it’s a waiting game.

There’s no need to see a GP until your period is a few months late with a negative pregnancy test as there’s really nothing to done.

Sometimes women have a delay in ovulation for all sorts of reasons most of which are completely harmless. And periods usually return to normal within a month or two.

Get a FRER test. But no don't bother the GP unless you don't get a period for a few months and keep getting negative tests

I didn't need to go to the GP at all, I rang up and they told me if I had a positive test at home then I just needed to complete a self-referral form on the hospital's website.

@Buyitinbamboo What is a FRER test? And where can I get one from?

@mumofadoodle First Response Early Response. I think they are in most supermarkets/chemists