Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMenstrual IrregularityFalse Test ResultsWhen to TestEarly SignsImprove Menstrual RegularityTreatmentsWhen to Get Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Menstrual Irregularity
False Test Results
When to Test
Early Signs
Improve Menstrual Regularity
Treatments
When to Get Help
If your menstrual period comes rarely or not at all, you may have the medical conditionpolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). For women with PCOS who are sexually active or trying to getpregnant, waiting until you get your period or not becomes a guessing game. It also makes it difficult to know when you should take a pregnancy test.
This article will discuss when to take apregnancy testif you have PCOS. It will talk about how irregular menstrual periods (periods that are early, late, or missed) can make it difficult to determine whether you are pregnant or not.
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PCOS and Pregnancy Tests
Menstrual irregularity is often due to an imbalance ofhormones.Some women with PCOS can have a period that lasts three weeks. Others may not get a period for three months, never knowing when or if it will show up. Some women may get no periods whatsoever.
Only a small percentage of women with PCOS will have a regular menstrual cycle.
A woman with PCOS who is trying to get pregnant could face the problem of not knowing if she is pregnant or not. She and her partner could attempt to conceive for months, trying to have sex at the most likely time of ovulation, when an egg is released.
Then, one month, she may miss a period. Since she always has an irregular menstrual cycle, however, this may or may not mean she is pregnant.
She and her partner might get their hopes up, thinking she is pregnant. But then she could take a pregnancy test and have it be negative. This scenario can repeat month after month and be a frustrating, emotional experience.
Or, in another month, a home pregnancy test could finally have a positive result. Then, at her first OB/GYN (obstetrician/gynecologist) appointment for her pregnancy, she may learn that she was already 10 weeks pregnant. This is because the previous results were wrong, something that is also common with PCOS.
False-Negative Pregnancy Tests
There are many factors that can cause a false-negative pregnancy test, where the test says you aren’t pregnant but you really are. The less likely reasons are that the at-home test didn’t work correctly or was expired.
Most false-negative results occur when levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, also known as the “pregnancy hormone”) in the urine are too low for the test to detect pregnancy. This can happen if you take the pregnancy test too early, especially if you ovulated late in the month. This can happen with women who have PCOS.
When to Take a Pregnancy Test
A woman should take a pregnancy test whenever she thinks she may be pregnant. Since it can take up to a week for hCG levels to rise, it is best to wait a good seven days or so after a missed period to take a home pregnancy test.
Take a pregnancy test seven days after your missed period. Recheck in another week if the test is negative.
Early Signs of Pregnancy
Not all women, especially first-time moms, can tell whether they are pregnant in the early weeks of pregnancy. But there are signs and symptoms to look for that can give a clue that a woman is pregnant.
Early signs and symptoms of pregnancy include:
Becoming familiar with these common signs and symptoms can help you know if you may be pregnant. While you are waiting to find out for sure, avoid alcohol, smoking, and any drug use just in case.
How to Improve Menstrual Regularity
Increased stress, along with diet and exercise changes, can affect your menstrual period.If you experience irregular periods and you have PCOS, chances are it is because of ahormone imbalance.
The best ways to achieve a regular menstrual period if you have PCOS include:
How to Get Pregnant With PCOS
If you have PCOS, the following treatment options are available to increase your chances of getting pregnant:
What to Know About PCOS and Pregnancy
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
If your period is two weeks late and you are still getting negative pregnancy tests, visit your gynecologist. They may do a pregnancy exam and blood test. Your healthcare provider can also help you recognize the early signs of pregnancy so you know when to take a pregnancy test or schedule an appointment.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately and/or go to the emergency room if you have a positive pregnancy test along with:Severe abdominal or pelvic painNausea or vomitingDizziness or faintingThese may be signs of an ectopic pregnancy, in which a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus. This is an emergency that can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical care. The symptoms could also be the result of another medical problem that requires immediate attention.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately and/or go to the emergency room if you have a positive pregnancy test along with:
These may be signs of an ectopic pregnancy, in which a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus. This is an emergency that can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical care. The symptoms could also be the result of another medical problem that requires immediate attention.
Always trust your gut instincts. The sooner you are checked for pregnancy, the sooner you can know for sure and receive proper medical care and treatment.
Consulting with your healthcare provider before getting pregnant is important. This will prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy. Your healthcare provider can help you find ways to make your menstrual periods more regular, too.
Summary
When a woman has PCOS, it makes it difficult to determine if she’s pregnant or not. That’s because women with PCOS often deal with irregular menstrual periods. This means they may have early, late, or missed periods.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Attia G, Alharbi O, Aljohani R.The impact of irregular menstruation on health: A review of the literature.Cureus. 2023 Nov;15(11):e49146. doi:10.7759/cureus.49146Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are some common signs of pregnancy?.Rostami Dovom M, Ramezani Tehrani F, Djalalinia S, Cheraghi L, Behboudi Gandavani S, Azizi F.Menstrual cycle irregularity and metabolic disorders: a population-based prospective study.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(12):e0168402. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168402Mussawar M, Balsom A, de Zepetnek J, Gordon J.The effect of physical activity on fertility: A mini-review.FSR. 2023 Jun;4(2):150–158. doi:10.1016/j.xfre.2023.04.005Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.McDonnell R, Hart R.Pregnancy-related outcomes for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Womens Health (Lond). 2017 Dec;13(3):89–97. doi:10.1177/1745505717731971Kaiser Permanente.Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (ovarian diathermy) for PCOS.Palomba S, De Wilde MA, Falbo A, Koster MP, La Sala GB, Fauser BC.Pregnancy complications in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(5):575-92. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmv029Additional ReadingMoran L, Harrison C, Hutchison S, Stepto N, Strauss B, Teede H.Exercise decreases anti-müllerian hormone in anovulatory overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome – a pilot study.Horm Metab Res. 2011;43(13):977-979. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1291208
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Attia G, Alharbi O, Aljohani R.The impact of irregular menstruation on health: A review of the literature.Cureus. 2023 Nov;15(11):e49146. doi:10.7759/cureus.49146Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are some common signs of pregnancy?.Rostami Dovom M, Ramezani Tehrani F, Djalalinia S, Cheraghi L, Behboudi Gandavani S, Azizi F.Menstrual cycle irregularity and metabolic disorders: a population-based prospective study.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(12):e0168402. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168402Mussawar M, Balsom A, de Zepetnek J, Gordon J.The effect of physical activity on fertility: A mini-review.FSR. 2023 Jun;4(2):150–158. doi:10.1016/j.xfre.2023.04.005Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.McDonnell R, Hart R.Pregnancy-related outcomes for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Womens Health (Lond). 2017 Dec;13(3):89–97. doi:10.1177/1745505717731971Kaiser Permanente.Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (ovarian diathermy) for PCOS.Palomba S, De Wilde MA, Falbo A, Koster MP, La Sala GB, Fauser BC.Pregnancy complications in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(5):575-92. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmv029Additional ReadingMoran L, Harrison C, Hutchison S, Stepto N, Strauss B, Teede H.Exercise decreases anti-müllerian hormone in anovulatory overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome – a pilot study.Horm Metab Res. 2011;43(13):977-979. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1291208
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Attia G, Alharbi O, Aljohani R.The impact of irregular menstruation on health: A review of the literature.Cureus. 2023 Nov;15(11):e49146. doi:10.7759/cureus.49146Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are some common signs of pregnancy?.Rostami Dovom M, Ramezani Tehrani F, Djalalinia S, Cheraghi L, Behboudi Gandavani S, Azizi F.Menstrual cycle irregularity and metabolic disorders: a population-based prospective study.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(12):e0168402. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168402Mussawar M, Balsom A, de Zepetnek J, Gordon J.The effect of physical activity on fertility: A mini-review.FSR. 2023 Jun;4(2):150–158. doi:10.1016/j.xfre.2023.04.005Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.McDonnell R, Hart R.Pregnancy-related outcomes for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Womens Health (Lond). 2017 Dec;13(3):89–97. doi:10.1177/1745505717731971Kaiser Permanente.Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (ovarian diathermy) for PCOS.Palomba S, De Wilde MA, Falbo A, Koster MP, La Sala GB, Fauser BC.Pregnancy complications in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(5):575-92. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmv029
Attia G, Alharbi O, Aljohani R.The impact of irregular menstruation on health: A review of the literature.Cureus. 2023 Nov;15(11):e49146. doi:10.7759/cureus.49146
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are some common signs of pregnancy?.
Rostami Dovom M, Ramezani Tehrani F, Djalalinia S, Cheraghi L, Behboudi Gandavani S, Azizi F.Menstrual cycle irregularity and metabolic disorders: a population-based prospective study.PLoS ONE. 2016;11(12):e0168402. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168402
Mussawar M, Balsom A, de Zepetnek J, Gordon J.The effect of physical activity on fertility: A mini-review.FSR. 2023 Jun;4(2):150–158. doi:10.1016/j.xfre.2023.04.005
Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.
McDonnell R, Hart R.Pregnancy-related outcomes for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Womens Health (Lond). 2017 Dec;13(3):89–97. doi:10.1177/1745505717731971
Kaiser Permanente.Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (ovarian diathermy) for PCOS.
Palomba S, De Wilde MA, Falbo A, Koster MP, La Sala GB, Fauser BC.Pregnancy complications in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(5):575-92. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmv029
Moran L, Harrison C, Hutchison S, Stepto N, Strauss B, Teede H.Exercise decreases anti-müllerian hormone in anovulatory overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome – a pilot study.Horm Metab Res. 2011;43(13):977-979. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1291208
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