Missed period while breastfeeding negative pregnancy test

Home pregnancy tests are very accurate if done according to the package instructions and if completed at the right time, i.e. the first day after the period is due and onwards after that. However, to confirm a result, the best thing to do is to repeat the test three to five days after the first test.

Even though urine tests are usually accurate, there are other unexplainable changes to your menstrual cycle that can cause concerns and doubts with the result, like when your test is negative, but your period is still late.

The best way to confirm a suspected pregnancy is with a blood test that confirms the presence of bHCG hormones in the blood. However, below are some reasons why a home pregnancy test can show a negative result when you are, in fact, pregnant: 

1. Completing a test too early 

This is one of the most common reasons for a false negative test. Many women will complete a pregnancy test as soon as they feel symptoms of early pregnancy, like sore breasts or changes to vaginal discharge.  

However, the best way to guarantee a correct result is to wait for your period to be late, and then to do the test a few days later. This allows the body enough time to produce sufficient HCG hormones to be detected in a urine test. Read more about how to correctly complete a home pregnancy test.

2. Irregular cycles

When your menstrual cycle is irregular, negative pregnancy tests are actually more likely to occur. This is because, just like above, the urine test is completed too early, before a period is actually late, resulting in a negative test. 

If you cycles are usually irregular, you should only complete a test two to three weeks after your predicted period. You should track your period symptoms to have a better understanding of when your period is due to start. 

3. Ectopic pregnancy 

An ectopic pregnancy is a rare condition. It occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. In these cases, the body takes longer to produce HCG hormone, and the result can appear negative even if fertilization has occurred. 

This type of pregnancy is a medical emergency that should be terminated as soon as possible, as it can cause serious damage to the woman’s reproductive system. A few signs that can indicate a possible ectopic pregnancy are intense abdominal pain, vomiting, vaginal bleeding, or feeling of abdominal heaviness. If you have these symptoms, proceed immediately to the hospital to confirm diagnosis and initiate treatment.

4. Breastfeeding

When a woman is breastfeeding, the body takes longer to return to its initial pre-pregnancy state.  Therefore, it is possible for a woman’s cycle to be irregular initially, even though she used to have a regular cycle before.

This may result in a false negative, as an expected period is not actually delayed yet, leading to an early pregnancy test. 

5. Expired or mishandled test

This may be the rarest cause, however it is possible that a pregnancy test has expired and no longer functioning properly. When a test is not used vy its valid date, the presence of HCG may not be detected, resulting a negative test.  

It is very important to check the expiration date on the package before using it. Additionally, if pregnancy tests are not stored properly, even though they are within the expiry date, they may not give an accurate result. For those reasons, if you suspect that the test is not reporting the correct result, you should complete another one. 

What can cause a delayed period

If your period is delayed and a pregnancy test confirms a negative result, you are advised to repeat the test in a few days. If the second test is still negative even when your period is still late, likelihood of pregnancy is low. There are many factors that can influence your cycle and cause a delayed period when you are not pregnant. 

Some causes of a delayed period are:

• Excess stress and anxiety;
• Practicing intense physical exercise for a long time;
• Thyroid problems;
• Very restrictive diets.

Learn about what else can cause a late period.

If your period is late and multiple home pregnancy tests confirm a negative result, you should consult your doctor to identify whether there is another factor influencing the delay. They may be able to indicate appropriate treatment based on the diagnosis. 

If you are breastfeeding your baby, your periods may not return for several months after childbirth. This is because the hormone that causes you to make milk, prolactin, also stops you from ovulating and having your period. If you are breastfeeding day and night, it can be up to a year before your period returns.

Many factors determine when your period will return when you are breastfeeding. These include:

• how often you bottle feed your baby
• the way your body responds to hormone changes
• how often and how long your baby is breastfeeding

If your baby is being fed only using bottles, you may find your periods return shortly after birth.

Your first period after birth

If you breastfeed exclusively, your first period may not return for several months or 1 to 2 years if you keep breastfeeding. If you bottle feed or partially breastfeed your baby, your periods may return as soon as 3 weeks after having your baby.

Once they do return, your periods may be irregular, especially if you are still producing milk (lactating). The duration of your period can also change. It is not unusual to skip a period, or even for it to be a few months before your next one.

When you start reducing the amount of time you spend breastfeeding, your periods should start to return to their usual routine. You may notice some spotting (light bleeding) at first.

If you have irregular periods while breastfeeding, such as continued spotting, heavier than normal bleeding or long cycles, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor because there may be other causes apart from breastfeeding. Your doctor will need to conduct a thorough examination and may need to order some tests to exclude other causes.

If your period has come back, it means that you are fertile again and you could become pregnant, even while you are breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor or nurse about contraceptive methods while breastfeeding.

Does having a period affect breast milk supply?

The return of your period should have little effect on your breast milk so you can continue to breastfeed if desired. Some women find a temporary drop in the amount of milk they produce just before their period starts or for a few days into it, but it will increase again when hormones return to their normal levels.

Your midwife or doctor will be able to give you further advice and information about your periods and breastfeeding.

Not sure what to do next?

If you are still concerned about your breastfeeding and periods, why not use healthdirect’s online Symptom Checker to get advice on when to seek medical attention.

The Symptom Checker guides you to the next appropriate healthcare steps, whether it’s self care, talking to a health professional, going to a hospital or calling triple zero (000).

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