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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Delayed Periods?

Hello, I m a 28 year old very healthy mother of 3. My period is 2 weeks late (which never happens) and I have been having pregnancy symptoms. I ve done 3 home pregnancy tests & a blood test which have all came up negative. I ve just done an ultrasound but have to wait until next week to see the doctor. It is absolutely driving me insane not know what is wrong with me!! Any idea of what may be wrong with me if it isn t pregnancy? Thank you!
Mon, 10 Apr 2017
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello, this is a common question. There are many conditions that can delay a period, some just as simple as stress and poor sleeping habits, others more complicated such as abnormalities with your thyroid. I wouldn't jump to any conclusions in either direction just yet. It generally takes approx. 3 weeks to see a positive urine pregnancy test, and 1-2 weeks to see a positive blood test. An ultrasound will be less helpful in the early stages of pregnancy because it is often difficult to see the fetus compared to a blood test, which is very sensitive at detecting even mild elevations in the pregnancy hormone bHCG. I would recommend the following

1) Repeat urine test at week 3
2) Repeat blood test at week 3
3) Wait for ultrasound results with physician
4) Take prenatal vitamins
5) Try not to stress, that can actually contribute to menstrual irregularities if this is not a pregnancy


I also have some questions:
1) Are you on any form of birth control?
2) When was the last time you had unprotected sex?
3) Have you recently lost weight? Do you exercise rigorously?
4) When was your last pregnancy delivery? Are you breast feeding?
5) When was your last menstrual period?
6) What do you mean by pregnancy symptoms?

I only ask these questions because they are pertinent to helping me understand your situation better. Hopefully you get an answer to your pregnancy question in the next week. If it isn't pregnancy, here are some recommendations:

1) Get a full panel of annual labs including Thyroid (TSH)
2) We usually do not do extensive hormone testing with one delayed cycle. This is usually done if delays occur 3 - 6 months at which time we start checking your FSH, LH and Estradiol levels that regulate menstruation.
3) Know that even though you have been regular with your periods, it is not uncommon to have an irregular cycle as you age.

Check back in next week and let me know the disposition.

-Dr. Marco
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What Causes Delayed Periods?

Hello, this is a common question. There are many conditions that can delay a period, some just as simple as stress and poor sleeping habits, others more complicated such as abnormalities with your thyroid. I wouldn t jump to any conclusions in either direction just yet. It generally takes approx. 3 weeks to see a positive urine pregnancy test, and 1-2 weeks to see a positive blood test. An ultrasound will be less helpful in the early stages of pregnancy because it is often difficult to see the fetus compared to a blood test, which is very sensitive at detecting even mild elevations in the pregnancy hormone bHCG. I would recommend the following 1) Repeat urine test at week 3 2) Repeat blood test at week 3 3) Wait for ultrasound results with physician 4) Take prenatal vitamins 5) Try not to stress, that can actually contribute to menstrual irregularities if this is not a pregnancy I also have some questions: 1) Are you on any form of birth control? 2) When was the last time you had unprotected sex? 3) Have you recently lost weight? Do you exercise rigorously? 4) When was your last pregnancy delivery? Are you breast feeding? 5) When was your last menstrual period? 6) What do you mean by pregnancy symptoms? I only ask these questions because they are pertinent to helping me understand your situation better. Hopefully you get an answer to your pregnancy question in the next week. If it isn t pregnancy, here are some recommendations: 1) Get a full panel of annual labs including Thyroid (TSH) 2) We usually do not do extensive hormone testing with one delayed cycle. This is usually done if delays occur 3 - 6 months at which time we start checking your FSH, LH and Estradiol levels that regulate menstruation. 3) Know that even though you have been regular with your periods, it is not uncommon to have an irregular cycle as you age. Check back in next week and let me know the disposition. -Dr. Marco