If you're late for your period and experiencing symptoms like fatigue, sore breasts, nausea, frequent urination, or food aversions, you might be pregnant, but a home pregnancy test is the most reliable way to know, as late periods can also be caused by stress, lifestyle changes, or other health factors. A test detects hCG, a pregnancy hormone, and is accurate from the first day of a missed period, but can even be used earlier; if negative, retest in a few days if your period still hasn't arrived.
The only way to know for sure whether you're pregnant or not is to (1) take a pregnancy test or (2) book in with your gynecologist for a clinical blood test. Blood tests provide a higher rate of accuracy, so most professionals recommend this – especially if you've received mixed results on at-home pregnancy tests.
The only way to find out for certain if you're pregnant is to take a pregnancy test or visit your doctor after a missed period.
Pregnancy tests work by detecting a certain level of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in your pee. You can take a pregnancy test as soon as you've missed your period. However, it's best to wait at least one week after you've missed your period to get the most accurate results.
Depending on the cause of amenorrhea, you might experience other signs or symptoms along with the absence of periods, such as:
Causes of missed or late periods
being pregnant. stress. the start of menopause (perimenopause), usually between the ages of 45 and 55. polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
If you have a regular monthly menstrual cycle, the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period. In the first few weeks of pregnancy you may have a bleed similar to a very light period, with some spotting or only losing a little blood. This is called implantation bleeding.
The most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy might include:
When you can do a pregnancy test. You can carry out most pregnancy tests from the first day of a missed period. If you don't know when your next period is due, do the test at least 21 days after you last had unprotected sex. Some very sensitive pregnancy tests can be used even before you miss a period.
On the other hand, pregnancy cramps are usually milder and might feel like a pulling or tingling sensation. “Pregnancy cramps can start as early as a week before your period is due,” Dr. Eana adds, “and are often localized in the lower abdomen, right around the pubic bone.”
Symptoms of early pregnancy include missed periods, nausea and vomiting, breast changes, tiredness and frequent urination. Many of these symptoms can also be caused by other factors such as stress or illness. If you suspect you may be pregnant, see your doctor.
Understanding Implantation Cramping and Bleeding
One of the earliest types of early pregnancy pain is implantation cramping, which happens when the fertilized egg attaches to your uterine wall. This typically occurs 6 to 12 days after conception, often before you've even missed a period.
Changes in your discharge can be a sign of early pregnancy, but everyone is different. Typically, your mucus dries up or thickens after ovulation. But some people notice their mucus is clumpy or stays wetter if they're pregnant.
When periods are late, many women will have some mild symptoms similar to early pregnancy, including mild uterine cramping. The breasts may feel heavier and fuller or be tender to the touch. Nausea, constipation, mood swings, dizziness and fatigue may be experienced.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Implantation
Pregnancy can do odd things to your body. Everyone knows you may have morning sickness or experience weird cravings. But did you know your gums may be sore or bleed during pregnancy, or you may lose some hair after you give birth? These are just a few less common, but still perfectly normal, symptoms of pregnancy.
If there are enough levels of hCG in your urine, the at-home pregnancy test will read as positive. While stress can affect your hormone levels and even delay your ovulation or period, it does not affect pregnancy test results.
While many of the symptoms are common, it's possible to experience no symptoms during the first trimester of pregnancy. The most common early symptoms include a missed period, light bleeding, breast changes or tenderness, and fatigue. A test done by your doctor may detect pregnancy earlier than at-home tests.
Types of pregnancy include intrauterine pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, tubal pregnancy, intra-abdominal pregnancy, singlet pregnancy, multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc.), lupus pregnancy, high-risk pregnancy, and molar pregnancy.
Yes, absolutely. While breast tenderness is one of the most commonly reported early pregnancy symptoms—often caused by a rapid rise in estrogen and progesterone—not everyone experiences it. Some people never get this symptom at all. Others may find it appears later or comes and goes.
In most women, symptoms may begin to appear as early as one to two weeks after conception. First symptoms of pregnancy timeline: Pregnancy officially begins two weeks after your last menstrual period. Implantation may occur at 1 to 2 weeks and cause light spotting, discharge, and cramping.
The fertilized egg (called an embryo) implants (attaches) into the wall of your uterus. This triggers the placenta to form. Your placenta begins producing and releasing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) into your blood and pee. HCG can be found in a person's blood around 11 days after conception.