Skipping your period is one of the important signs of pregnancy, and you might be quite excited if you did not have your period after your IVF embryo transfer. But what if you get a negative result when you take a pregnancy test?
Yes, it happens sometimes. You might have missed your period, but when you take a pregnancy test, you will get a negative result. It is normal for you to feel confused if you encounter this situation.
This is why, in this blog, we have discussed some of the causes of a negative pregnancy result and what you should do to have a healthy menstrual cycle.
What are the causes of negative pregnancy tests?
Only two circumstances could have happened if you had a negative pregnancy test and yet no period. Either you have not conceived, or you have conceived, and it does not show in the pregnancy test. Let’s discuss these two circumstances in detail.
You have not conceived
If your IVF cycle was a failure and you have not conceived, it means the pregnancy test result was right, and you are having a delayed period. Your delay in periods can be caused by various factors like,
- Hormonal imbalance,
- Side effects of fertility medications,
- Unhealthy eating habits,
- High levels of prolactin, etc.
Know that a delayed period after IVF failure is a common issue in most women. So you don’t need to worry too much about the issue. Wait for some days or visit your fertility doctor if your period doesn’t come after a few days.
You have conceived
The second circumstance for a negative pregnancy result but delayed period is that you have conceived, and the pregnancy test kit was wrong. This can happen due to the following reasons:
- The pregnancy kit is faulty and gave the wrong result.
- Your body hasn’t yet started producing the pregnancy hormone (hCG) in the blood.
- The kit might show negative results if your urine is diluted due to drinking excess water.
- You took the pregnancy test too early (within a week of embryo transfer). You need to wait for at least 10–14 days before taking a pregnancy test.
How to Cope with a Negative Pregnancy Result after IVF?
Getting a negative pregnancy test result can be disappointing. You would have tried so hard and gone through much physical and emotional stress during this period.
But know that failing in IVF is normal, and most couples only get pregnant during their fourth or fifth cycles. Here is what you can do to cope with a negative pregnancy test result.
- Understand why your IVF cycle failed. This is very important as knowing why your IVF failed can help you prevent those mistakes in future cycles and increase your chances of pregnancy.
- Go for counseling. It is normal for you to feel stressed after a failed cycle. You can consult your IVF doctor and attend counseling sessions to cope with it. You can also bring your partner with you for the sessions.
- Take some rest and try again. A single failed cycle is not the end.
- Take some rest, recover well, and try another cycle. The more the number of IVF cycles, the higher your chances of pregnancy.
- Try other fertility treatment options. If IVF does not work for you, you can always go for more advanced fertility treatments like ICSI or IMSI. If they don’t work, you can choose donor eggs or sperm or hire a surrogate to carry your child.
There are multiple options you can choose to have your own baby. So, don’t feel depressed and have a positive mindset.
Some advice for the healthy menstrual cycle
The fertility medication and the physical stress you put on your body can change your hormone levels and affect your menstrual cycle. Below are some tips that you can follow to recover from the effects of the previous IVF cycle and have healthy menstruation.
Eat healthily
The food you eat is one of the major factors that affect the pace of your menstrual cycles. Consuming junk or fried foods and drinking artificial beverages can alter your menstrual cycle and make them come too early or too late. Consume healthy foods rich in nutrients to maintain a healthy menstrual cycle.
Physical activity
Leading a sedentary lifestyle is another major factor affecting your hormone levels and disrupting your menstrual cycle. Don’t sit around all day and do some activities, like walking, jogging, mild exercises, yoga, etc.
Do not take non-prescribed medications
Do not take any medication on your own, and always consult your doctor before taking one. Your doctor knows your body and health condition well. So only take the medicines that they prescribe for you.
Avoid excessive caffeine content
Excess caffeine can affect your body and disrupt menstrual cycles. Reduce the amount of coffee you consume in a day, or you can opt for decaffeinated coffee if you are an ardent coffee lover.
Conclusion
It is normal to have no period after a negative pregnancy test. Do not panic and wait for a few days and test again. If you get a positive result, it is good. But if you have a negative result, don’t lose hope and try again after a few months.
Visit your fertility doctor and get tested if you have a negative result and don’t have periods even after several weeks of embryo transfer. It might be due to some complications like ectopic pregnancies.
If you have a failed IVF cycle, your period will usually start after about one or two weeks of embryo transfer. For some women, it might take as long as 4 weeks to get periods. So, wait for some time and visit your doctor if you do not have your period after four weeks of embryo transfer.
Yes, IVF is one of the most effective fertility treatments for women with irregular periods. They will be given fertility medications to stimulate their ovaries and produce more mature eggs. These eggs can be retrieved and used for fertilization.
Yes, there are chances of getting pregnant naturally, even after a failed IVF cycle. However, the chances depend on your and your partner’s fertility and health condition.
