Frequent Intercourse but Negative Pregnancy Tests: What Could Be Happening?

Consistent sexual activity but unable to detect pregnancy?

Hello, I have had sexual intercourse with my boyfriend more than five times a week, all through withdrawal method without a condom.
My menstrual periods were from June 28 to July 3, July 22 to July 28, and August 21 to August 26.
Due to concerns about possible pregnancy, I visited a gynecologist on September 17 and took medication to induce menstruation on September 18, three times a day.
I still have not had my period.
On September 22, I took a pregnancy test, which showed a clear negative result with only one line.
I had another consultation on September 25, where I underwent an ultrasound without a full bladder.
Although the doctor could not see clearly, they diagnosed that I was not pregnant.
On September 26, I took the second dose of the medication to induce menstruation, three times a day.
I tested for pregnancy again, and the result was still negative with only one clear line, no faint second line.
However, as of today, I still have not had my period since August 21, and there has been no bleeding, only increased vaginal discharge and slight breast tenderness.
What is the likelihood of pregnancy? Is it possible to have a late fertilization that would not show up on a pregnancy test? If I take a test today, will it be accurate?

Ang, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/09/28

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Having sexual intercourse with my boyfriend almost five times a week, all with withdrawal method.
My menstrual periods were from June 28 to July 3, July 22 to July 28, and August 21 to August 26.
Due to concerns about possible pregnancy, I visited a gynecologist on September 17 and took medication to induce menstruation on September 18, three times a day.
I still have not had my period.
On September 22, I took a pregnancy test which showed a clear negative result with only one line.
I then had another consultation on September 25, where an ultrasound was performed without a full bladder.
Although the doctor could not see clearly, they diagnosed that I was not pregnant.
On September 26, I took the second dose of the medication to induce menstruation, three times a day.
I took another pregnancy test, which again showed a clear negative result with only one line, no faint second line.
However, as of today, I still have not had my period since August 21, and there has been no bleeding, only increased discharge and some breast tenderness.
What is the likelihood of pregnancy? Is it possible to have a late fertilization that would not show up on a pregnancy test? If I take a test today, will it be accurate? Answer: The pregnancy test on September 26 showed a clear negative result.
The likelihood of pregnancy is low.
If you take a test again on October 3, it will be accurate.

Reply Date: 2017/09/28

More Info

It sounds like you're experiencing a complex situation regarding your menstrual cycle and potential pregnancy. Based on the information you've provided, there are several factors to consider when evaluating your situation.

Firstly, it's important to understand that the timing of ovulation and the subsequent implantation of a fertilized egg can significantly affect the results of a pregnancy test. Typically, after ovulation, it takes about 6 to 12 days for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus, and only after implantation does the body start producing the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is what pregnancy tests detect. If you are testing too early, before hCG levels are high enough to be detected, you may receive a false negative result.

In your case, you mentioned having frequent intercourse but using withdrawal as a method of contraception. While this method can reduce the likelihood of pregnancy, it is not foolproof. Sperm can still be present in pre-ejaculatory fluid, and if ovulation occurs, there is still a chance of conception.

Given your menstrual cycle history, it seems that you have had regular periods leading up to your current situation. However, the absence of menstruation since August 21, combined with negative pregnancy tests, raises some questions. It is possible that you may be experiencing a condition known as amenorrhea, which is the absence of menstruation. This can be caused by various factors, including hormonal imbalances, stress, significant weight changes, or underlying medical conditions.

The symptoms you described, such as increased vaginal discharge and breast tenderness, can be associated with hormonal fluctuations, which may not necessarily indicate pregnancy. These symptoms can occur in the luteal phase of your cycle or due to other factors such as stress or changes in your body.

Regarding the possibility of a late implantation leading to a negative pregnancy test, while it is rare, it can happen. In some cases, women may not receive a positive test until several weeks after a missed period. However, this is not common, and if you have been testing consistently and receiving negative results, it is less likely that you are pregnant.

If you continue to experience a lack of menstruation and negative pregnancy tests, it would be advisable to consult with a healthcare provider for further evaluation. They may recommend blood tests to check hCG levels, which can provide a more accurate assessment of pregnancy than urine tests. Additionally, they may want to investigate other potential causes for your missed periods, such as hormonal imbalances or other underlying health issues.

In summary, while there is a possibility of late implantation, the consistent negative pregnancy tests and the absence of menstruation suggest that you may not be pregnant. It is essential to follow up with a healthcare provider to explore the reasons for your missed periods and to ensure that there are no underlying health concerns that need to be addressed.

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