Your Chances of Pregnancy: Symptoms and Testing Insights

What is the likelihood of getting pregnant?

More questions from Juanjuan: My period started on April 22, and my cycle is about 29-30 days.
I had intercourse on May 3 and May 7.
After intercourse on May 7, the next day I felt abdominal discomfort and a feeling of heaviness.
A few days later, I started experiencing breast tenderness that lasted for about a week, along with two days of watery discharge.
A week before my expected period, I began to feel abdominal discomfort and heaviness again, along with breast tenderness that lasted for three to four days.
My period was expected on May 22, but it still hasn't arrived.
However, I still have some abdominal discomfort and a little discharge.
I have been taking pregnancy tests, but they always show one line.
On May 19, I took a test that showed one line, but after five minutes, I thought I saw a faint second line, which then disappeared after some time.
Today, May 22, I bought another test, and it still shows one line, but my period is still delayed.
My period has been very regular for the past three months, arriving on the 22nd or 23rd.
I want to get pregnant, but there has been no news.
I had a miscarriage last August with a non-viable fetus.
I would like to ask the doctor what my chances of pregnancy are this time.
Continuing from the previous text, my period still hasn't arrived today, but I have symptoms similar to those before menstruation, including cramping and breast tenderness.
Does this indicate implantation? However, my body temperature has been between 36.4 and 36.7 degrees Celsius, which is not considered high.
Or could this just be symptoms of an impending period? If I take a test now and it shows negative, can I conclude that these are just menstrual symptoms and not wait until the 31st?

Juan Juan, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/05/23

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

My last menstrual period started on April 22, and my cycle is typically around 29-30 days.
I had intercourse on May 3 and May 7.
After intercourse on May 7, the next day I experienced abdominal discomfort and a feeling of heaviness.
A few days later, I started to have breast tenderness that lasted for about a week, along with two days of watery discharge.
About a week before my expected period, I again felt abdominal discomfort and heaviness, along with breast tenderness that lasted for three to four days.
My period was expected on May 22, but it has not arrived yet.
I still have some abdominal discomfort and a little discharge.
I have been taking pregnancy tests, but they consistently show only one line.
On May 19, I took a test that showed one line, but after five minutes, I thought I saw a faint second line, which then disappeared after some time.
Today, May 22, I bought another test, and it still shows only one line, but my period is still delayed.
My menstrual cycles have been regular for the past three months, arriving around the 22nd or 23rd.
I am hoping to get pregnant, but there has been no news.
I had a miscarriage last August with a non-viable fetus.
I would like to ask the doctor about my chances of pregnancy this time.
Today, my period still hasn't come, but I have symptoms similar to those before menstruation, such as cramping and breast tenderness.
Could this indicate implantation? However, my body temperature has been between 36.4 and 36.7 degrees Celsius, which is not high.
Or could these just be symptoms of an impending period? If I take a test now and it shows negative, does that mean I can confirm that these are just menstrual symptoms and not pregnancy symptoms? If I test again on the 31st and it is still negative, would that just confirm it further?

Reply Date: 2017/05/23

More Info

Understanding your chances of pregnancy can be a complex process, especially when you are experiencing symptoms that could indicate either pregnancy or the onset of your menstrual cycle. Based on your description, it seems you have been tracking your menstrual cycle closely and have experienced some symptoms that are commonly associated with early pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, abdominal discomfort, and unusual discharge. However, you have also mentioned that you have been consistently getting negative results on your pregnancy tests.

Firstly, it is important to understand that home pregnancy tests (HPTs) are generally reliable, but they can sometimes yield false negatives, especially if taken too early. The hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is what these tests detect, and it typically becomes detectable in urine about 14 days after conception. If you are testing before this time, or if your body is producing lower levels of hCG, it may not be detected, leading to a negative result.

Given that your menstrual cycle is usually regular, the absence of your period can be a significant indicator. However, stress, hormonal imbalances, or other health issues can also cause a delay in menstruation. The symptoms you are experiencing, such as abdominal discomfort and breast tenderness, can indeed be premenstrual symptoms, which can sometimes mimic early pregnancy signs.

You mentioned that you had a miscarriage last August, which can also affect your cycle and hormone levels. After a miscarriage, it may take some time for your body to return to its regular cycle, and this can sometimes lead to irregularities in subsequent cycles. It’s also worth noting that emotional stress from a previous loss can impact your menstrual cycle.

If you continue to experience symptoms and your period does not arrive, it may be beneficial to wait a few days and then take another pregnancy test. If you still receive a negative result and your period has not started, it would be advisable to consult with a healthcare provider. They can perform a blood test to check for hCG levels, which is more sensitive than urine tests and can provide a clearer picture of whether you are pregnant.

In terms of your symptoms, the abdominal discomfort and breast tenderness could be related to hormonal fluctuations rather than pregnancy. It's also important to monitor any other symptoms you may experience, such as significant pain, heavy bleeding, or any unusual discharge, as these could indicate other health issues that may require medical attention.

In conclusion, while your symptoms may suggest a possibility of pregnancy, the negative tests indicate that it is not confirmed. It is essential to give your body some time, and if your period does not arrive soon, seek medical advice for further evaluation. Your healthcare provider can help you understand your symptoms better and guide you through the next steps, whether that involves further testing or addressing any underlying health concerns.

Similar Q&A

Understanding Pregnancy Tests: Signs and Chances of Conception

1. If your last menstrual period was on March 4 and you have a menstrual cycle of 36 days, you would expect your next period around April 9. Engaging in sexual intercourse on March 1 with withdrawal method (pulling out) and no condom does carry a risk of pregnancy, although it is...

Dr. Zhan Deqin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
The appearance of two lines about nine hours later is not a reliable indication. Generally, having intercourse three days before menstruation presents a low chance of pregnancy; however, there have been reports of pregnancies occurring because women can occasionally ovulate durin...

Understanding Your Pregnancy Chances: Key Factors to Consider

Based on your menstrual cycle, which typically lasts 28-30 days, and the information provided, you had sexual intercourse around your ovulation period on June 28 and 29, but did not experience ejaculation. You then had two instances of intercourse with ejaculation on July 1. Cu...

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
The menstrual period ended on June 15-21, with a typical cycle of 28-30 days. The app indicates ovulation on the 28th and 29th, and there was sexual intercourse without ejaculation. On July 1, there were two instances of sexual intercourse, both with ejaculation. For several days...

Understanding Pregnancy Chances: When to Test and What Symptoms Mean

Hello, doctor. I was the person who asked question #141761 previously. At that time, you mentioned that I should take a pregnancy test in a few days. Recently, I have been conducting morning pregnancy tests, but none have shown a positive result yet. My temperature readings are a...

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
I have been taking morning pregnancy tests recently, but so far they have not shown a positive result. My body temperatures are as follows: 11/1 - 36.35, 11/2 - 36.11, 11/3 - 36.37, 11/4 - 36.49, 11/5 - 36.27 (ovulation day), 11/6 - 36.36, 11/7 - 36.37, 11/8 - 36.58, 11/9 - 36.60...

Understanding Pregnancy Chances After Unprotected Intercourse

I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that.

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
What you need is not medical consultation but rather a remedial course in sexual knowledge. For such questions, it is recommended to refer to the National Health Administration's "Sexual Happiness e-Learning" or the Obstetrics and Gynecology Society's "Co...