Missed Periods but Pregnancy Test Is Negative? Causes Explained

Missed Periods but Pregnancy Test Is Negative? 5 Common Reasons You Should Know

Missing your period can be stressful, especially when your pregnancy test comes back negative. If you are trying to get pregnant or you are not trying to get pregnant, it can be really worrying when your periods are irregular or when your periods stop for one or two months. This is something that can happen to any woman.

What are the real reasons behind missed periods when the pregnancy test is negative?

Some of the reasons for missed periods include stress and weight changes. Missed periods can also be caused by medical conditions.

How Do Periods Normally Happen?

Your menstrual cycle is controlled by by hormones in your body.

• The brain releases LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
• These hormones act on the ovaries
• The ovaries release estrogen and progesterone
• These hormones prepare the uterine lining
• When hormone levels drop, the lining sheds as menstrual bleeding

If this hormonal balance is disturbed at any level, periods can become irregular or stop completely.

 

Top 5 Reasons for Missed or Stopped Periods (Not Pregnancy)

1. Stress and Lifestyle Changes

Stress is one of the most common causes of missed periods.

• Mental stress
• Emotional stress
• Sudden lifestyle changes
• Poor sleep
• Excessive workload

All of these affect the brain hormones (LH and FSH), leading to delayed or skipped periods.

Good news: Once stress reduces, periods usually return to normal within 1–2 months.

2. Sudden Weight Gain or Weight Loss

A rapid change in body weight can seriously disturb your menstrual cycle.

• Gaining 5-6 kg suddenly
• Drastic weight loss
• Crash dieting
• Extreme workouts

Estrogen and progesterone are metabolised in fat cells, so when fat levels change suddenly, hormone balance is affected.

This may cause:

• Irregular periods
• Scanty periods
• Missed periods for 2–3 months

3. Hormonal Imbalance

a) High Prolactin Levels (Hyperprolactinemia)

Prolactin is the hormone responsible for milk production after childbirth.
When prolactin levels rise abnormally (even without pregnancy):

• Ovulation gets disturbed
• Estrogen and progesterone reduce
• Periods become irregular or stop

b) Thyroid Disorders

Both:

• Hypothyroidism (low thyroid)
• Hyperthyroidism (high thyroid)

can cause:

• Irregular cycles
• Missed periods
• Heavy or scanty bleeding

4. PCOD / PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Disease)

PCOD is extremely common today, especially among young women.

In PCOD:

• LH, FSH, estrogen, and progesterone become irregular
• The male hormone (testosterone) increases

Common symptoms include:

• Irregular or missed periods
• Acne
• Excess facial/body hair
• Hair fall
• Weight gain
• Difficulty losing weight
• Infertility issues

PCOD is a major cause of missed periods in young women.

5. Medicines, Contraceptives & Medical Procedures

a) Oral Contraceptive Pills

After stopping birth control pills:

• Periods may stop for 1–3 months
• This is called Post-Pill Amenorrhea

 

b) Hormonal IUD (Mirena)

Mirena releases hormones directly into the uterus and is often used for heavy bleeding.

• Periods may become very light
• Sometimes periods stop completely
• This is normal and expected

 

c) Injectable Contraceptives (DMPA)

Given once every 3 months:

• Causes missed or scanty periods
• Periods may take time to return after stopping

 

d) Emergency Pill (iPill)

iPill contains a very high dose of hormones and can cause:

• Delayed periods
• Irregular cycles
• Sometimes, even failure leading to pregnancy

Missed Periods After D&C or Abortion – Asherman Syndrome

After procedures like:

• D&C (Dilatation & Curettage)
• MTP (Medical Termination of Pregnancy)

Some women develop Asherman Syndrome.

What happens?

• Scar tissue forms inside the uterus
• The uterine lining cannot grow properly
• Periods stop for months

This condition cannot be treated with medicines alone.

Treatment:

• Hysteroscopic surgery to remove adhesions
• Followed by hormone therapy for 3 months
• Daycare is a painless procedure

When Should You See a Doctor?

You should consult a gynecologist if:

• Periods are missed for more than 2 months
• The pregnancy test is negative
• You have PCOD symptoms
• Periods stopped after abortion or D&C
• Excessive hair growth, acne, or weight gain

Conclusion

Missed periods are common-but should never be ignored.
Early diagnosis helps in:

• Hormonal balance
• Fertility protection
• Long-term reproductive health

If this information helped you, make sure to stay informed, track your cycles, and consult on time