Re: Could I be pregnant?

Posted By hfhs.dm.rcs on January 07, 1999 at 17:11:00:

In Reply to: Could I be pregnant? posted by Tammy on January 04, 1999 at 00:16:51:






Today is January 4th and my period was due November 7th.  I've taken 3 pregancy tests and all were negative.  I am sexually active, and I did not use protection.  I took the last test around December 10th.  I am sometimes irregular, but only at most a few days to a week late.  I haven't had any nausea or vommiting, yet I also have not had any menstrual symptoms except for breast pain in the last couple of weeks.  Even when I am late, I can predict pretty accurately when I will get my period, even two weeks before I get it.  Right now though, I have no mood changes, and I feel pretty normal.  The only other possibility that I thought of could be stress??  I am a college student, and finals ended Dec.21.  Although, I really didn't feel that stressed.  What could be causing my period to be so late?
Dear Tammy:
Your menstrual cycles are irregular because you ovulated infrequently. This makes its less likely for pregnancy to occur. Negative pregnancy tests and the absence of symptoms to suggest pregnancy are both reassuring observations.
Reasons why college-age ladies have irregular cycles include weight, weight changes, exercise, stress including concern about pregnancy, other emotional issues (roommate problems), hormonal problems (thyroid, prolactin, and adrogens are common), illness (mononucleosis).
The definition of amenorrhea (absence of menses) is no period for 3 months, but I recommend to your age group evalaution when they have missed two menstrual periods in a row. Mostly likely the physician will do a complete assessment, some blood tests (probably including a pregnancy test), and try to cause a menstrual flow using progestin (Provera is a common choice).
Keywords: no menses for 2 months
This information is provided for medical education and is not a consultation. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician.