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What Causes Sore Breasts, Headaches And Increased Urination?
Question: My period is six days late. I've had tender/sore breasts, afternoon headaches and increased urination. I have taken 5 preganacy tests in the past 7 days all negative. What is the chance that I am pregnant?
How long should I wait before having a blood test.
How long should I wait before having a blood test.
Brief Answer:
You may wait 3 days more
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
A home pregnancy test is most accurate when done at least 15 days after last probable unprotected sexual intercourse. If your test results are negative even after 15 days following last sexual act then it is most likely that you are not pregnant.
Chances of pregnancy depend on the regularity of your periods and your last date of sexual intercourse. It is possible that your periods might be delayed due to stress and anxiety. You may wait a few more days (2 to 3) in anticipation for your periods. If it is already 15 days past last unprotected sexual intercourse and your test result is still negative then there are more than 95 % chances that you do not have a pregnancy
Regarding blood tests, they are based on the level of hCG in your blood, which is highly elevated in early pregnancy and doubles every second or third day.
The duration of pregnancy and hCG levels in blood during early pregnancy are as follows.
3 weeks since LMP: 5 - 50 mIU/ml
4 weeks since LMP: 5 - 426 mIU/ml
5 weeks since LMP: 18 - 7,340 mIU/ml
6 weeks since LMP: 1,080 - 56,500 mIU/ml
The blood test becomes positive when hCG levels are above 25 mIU/ml. So anytime after 3 weeks since last menstrual period, the blood pregnancy test is positive should you have a pregnancy.
If you do not get periods in another 3 days then you may take the blood pregnancy test.
Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
You may wait 3 days more
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
A home pregnancy test is most accurate when done at least 15 days after last probable unprotected sexual intercourse. If your test results are negative even after 15 days following last sexual act then it is most likely that you are not pregnant.
Chances of pregnancy depend on the regularity of your periods and your last date of sexual intercourse. It is possible that your periods might be delayed due to stress and anxiety. You may wait a few more days (2 to 3) in anticipation for your periods. If it is already 15 days past last unprotected sexual intercourse and your test result is still negative then there are more than 95 % chances that you do not have a pregnancy
Regarding blood tests, they are based on the level of hCG in your blood, which is highly elevated in early pregnancy and doubles every second or third day.
The duration of pregnancy and hCG levels in blood during early pregnancy are as follows.
3 weeks since LMP: 5 - 50 mIU/ml
4 weeks since LMP: 5 - 426 mIU/ml
5 weeks since LMP: 18 - 7,340 mIU/ml
6 weeks since LMP: 1,080 - 56,500 mIU/ml
The blood test becomes positive when hCG levels are above 25 mIU/ml. So anytime after 3 weeks since last menstrual period, the blood pregnancy test is positive should you have a pregnancy.
If you do not get periods in another 3 days then you may take the blood pregnancy test.
Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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