Possibly Pregnant at 50!

[funat50]

I'm afraid I might be pregnant at 50! I believe I might be peri-menopausal because my periods have been coming more frequent...approximately every 21 days. My last period was April 2 and I had unprotected sex on April 10th...dumb.

I did a HPT, which came back negative...but, still no period as of today, April 29th. I have 3 grown children, so I know what symptoms to look for...have none. Has anyone out there been pregnant at 50? I've read alot about the negative readings of HPT's, when people were actually pregnant. Any suggestions? I figure I'll wait a few more days and then call my OB-GYN...this is not what I planned my senior days to be like...but, will be optimistic either way and will be a damn good single mother all over again if those are the cards I am dealt.

[funat50]

Thanks so much for all your advice ladies...I called my OB-GYN and was told to do another HPT and then call them. 2nd one turned out neg. again...called and made an appt. for Tues. for bloodwork & assessment. Wahoo! Period arrived this morning!!! I've learned my lesson...no unprotected sex no matter how rare it would be for me to turn up pregnant!
Thanks again for all your support!

[KarenDiane]

I agree, your chances are extremely low. And even though I have heard of neg. HPT being wrong, I think it is rare. You should probably call your OB either way.

[Dragon1973]

I am probably not too much help here, but I do know that peri-menopausal symptoms include the lack or increase of periods due to changing estrogen and progesterone levels, and quantity of remaining viable eggs.  When did you do that last HPT?  There are many instances of where negative HPT's ended up in pregnancy, but as per this chart I found, the statistics say it is unlikely.  (http://babymed.com/faq/Content.aspx?14684).  If you need better confirmation, why not get a requisition for a Beta quantitative hCG test?  As you say, you know the drill - so don't stress yourself unnecessarily.  With irregular periods, it's hard to say, test after your first missed period, but you can keep trying with HPT's successfully up to 14 days past your missed period.  Also, your ovulation is probably off as well.  One thing to keep in mind, is that as we get older, our chances of conception drop dramatically after we hit our 30's, and even more so in our 40's and 50's.  And as I tell people often, most times in order to conceive under normal circumstances, it can be like waiting for all the planets and moons to line up just right to get pregnant!  So, not so easy in most cases.  It's a wonder we even get pregnant knowing our window of opportunity is small at the best of times, and all the rest of requirements to boot.  

You have a wonderful out look, no matter what the result, so I wish you all the best of luck.  I would put that call into your doctor as soon as you can, so that you can put your mind at rest.  Stress as we know, always affects our cycles in the worst of times.

Good luck and if you need anything else, please send me a direct message.

Sincerely,
Sandi (Dragon1973)
MedHelp Down syndrome Community Leader
& Ds Group Forum Founder/Moderator

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

your chances at 50 are pretty low, particularly with the negative HPT.  However, test again by now and if it's still negative chances are it's really menopause.  A check up with your Obe is not a bad thing.