Could I be pregnant?

[Mrs_Chambers]

I had two periods last month. I wasn't supposed to start until the 16th and had one starting on the 7th that lasted 5 days but looked nothing like my regular cycles. The second one started on the 17th and lasted 7 days and also looking nothing like my regular cycles. I started having my periods when I was 16, I am now 27. I have NEVER had two periods in one single month and they have never lasted more than 5 days. My regular cycles start off light the first day, then get heavy for the second, third, and forth days and light again the last day. Both of these periods I had last month would go back and forth between light and heavy. When they were light, I wouldn't even need a tampon. It was a very light pink that I only noticed when I would use the restroom and wipe. When it got heavy it was a bright reddish orange. Then on the last day of the second period I noticed a very light thick sticky tan brown discharge when I wiped. I have had strange dreams almost every night, I had red nipples (tingly not sore)  a week ago for 3 days,  lower back pain and cramps with the first period I had last month nothing with the second, jeans are fitting tight, sinus infection for a week, waking up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep, very light nausea, not dizzy just feel off, breakout on my shoulder blades, and just don't feel like normal myself. Higher than usual sex drive accompanied by increase in moister (clear strechy discharge), and now my breasts aren't swollen or sore but my nipples look just like they did when I was breastfeeding my son and my youngest is three. The tips of my nipples turned white today also. I took two pregnancy tests last week and they both came back negative but I have read other women's stories about how they had two periods in one month and then spotted or missed their period the next month and tested positive. I haven't had my period yet this month but it's not quite time yet. I am so confused. Please help!    

[Mrs_Chambers]

Thank you. I have never had a IUD so that couldn't be it. And my husband and I have been trying for a baby for about 4 months now but I could never calculate the exact days that I ovulate because my period was so irregular. So thank you for this advice!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Polymenorrhea or bleeding from vagina more than once a month could be due to several causes such fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis, uterine polyps, hormonal imbalance, thyroid problems and bleeding disorders. It could also be due to an IUD implant if you have one or due to oral contraceptive pills. It can also be a part of severe pelvic inflammatory disorder. STDs like Chlamydia and gonorrhea too can cause this.
These symptoms can be due to pregnancy if there is a history of any unprotected intercourse. Hence to confirm the status of pregnancy, I suggest you to test for pregnancy by a highly sensitive pregnancy test 10 days post ovulation with a sensitive ( 20 - 25 mIU ) pregnancy test. Also then I would suggest you to get your serum HCG levels estimated since this is more specific than urine for pregnancy tests.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.