Pretty sure I'm not pregnant...no period...a cyst, maybe?

[Moonpye]

My period is fairly regular.  Normally, I start between 25-27 days after my last period. Day 27 has officially ended, it's the morning of day 28, and there is no period to be seen. Not to say I'm not having symptoms...

-over-emotional
-My breasts are very tender
-I've had headaches, cramping, and vivid dreams
-and my face just broke out with a fresh wash of pimples

A few nights ago, I had cramping that sent me running for a pad because I was sure my period was coming at any second. No period.
Since then,  I've worried that this cramping could have been implantation....

But I just don't think that's possible. I've had sex 3 times since my last period, each time with a condom put on before his penis ever came near me. As near as we can tell (and we always check to see that everything is IN the condom after sex), there were no problems with the condom. I took one of those early detection pregnancy tests yesterday morning. It was negative. Of course.

I took another test this morning. Negative.

What I'm wondering if perhaps I'm dealing with a luteal cyst that just won't go away. I am very prone to cysts that grow far larger than my ovaries in fact. I've had trans-vaginal ultrasounds that revealed both simple cysts and the kinds of cysts that are filled with bits of bone and hair. I remember reading that a persistent luteal cyst can delay your period by tricking your body into thinking it's pregnant. I had a particularly awful ovulation (at least...I think I was ovulating) this month...my face broke out as it never has before, my mood swings were out of control, and I had a lot of cramping. I'm also having some pain on my right side--just lightly pressing where my ovary is causes me to wince, as does bending a certain way or climbing the stairs.

I am not nor have I ever been on hormonal birth control, so that's not a factor here.  What gives?

[Keith Downing, MD]

Hello,

Often the menstrual cycle may become irregular and we never learn exactly why.  Repeat the HPT in one week.  If negative and you still haven't menstruated, call your ob/gyn to schedule an appointment for an evaluation.  

Best regards,

Dr. Downing