Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Missed Period but Not Pregnant | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
My name is Vanessa and I am a mother of 3. So normally I know when I'm pregnant. I haven't menstruated since May 21st and feel very tired all the time. I used an EPT and it came up negative and I don't feel pregnant at all I don't have the normal symptoms like tender breasts or anything so what can I do? My doctor is on vacation.— Vanessa in New York | | | ANSWER |
August 17, 2001 | | | Dear Vanessa,
It can be very confusing when your period is late and you have some strange symptoms but your pregnancy test is negative. Since the urine pregnancy test is quite accurate, and since your symptoms aren't exactly like you normally get when pregnant, I would think that maybe you have some other reason right now for having irregular periods.
Usually if the period is late and the woman is not pregnant, the cause is hormonal--she is not ovulating regularly for some reason. Weight changes and stress levels can disrupt the menstrual cycle; so can being peri-menopausel, taking some medications, and engaging in heavy exercise.
The usual recommendation is if you miss more than three cycles or have any symptoms that are worrying you, you should see your doctor to check for the cause of the problem. Usually it does not turn out to be serious and may resolve on its own before you even get in for the appointment.
I hope that this answers your question.— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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