Is Late Menstruation a Sign of Pregnancy? Your Symptoms

Is it possible to be pregnant if my period is two weeks late?

Hello, my previous menstrual periods were on 3/28, 2/27, 1/19, 12/14, and 11/07.
This time, my period has not arrived yet.
Since 4/1, I have had sexual intercourse every week with a condom, but I have not been taking oral contraceptives.
Since I used condoms throughout and checked for any leaks afterward, I feel that the chance of pregnancy is quite low.
However, I am concerned that during the process around mid-April, the male partner may have had some of my bodily fluid on his hands and then inserted them into my vagina, which could have potentially introduced sperm.
I expected my period to start on 4/26, but it did not come.
On 4/28, I used a pregnancy test (that day I had less urine, and I urinated directly on the test strip).
While watching the test strip develop, I briefly saw a very faint second line appear for less than a second.
Once the color fully developed, there was a deep line, but I could not see a second line clearly.
After waiting a week with no period, I tested again around 5/4.
This time, I collected urine in the aluminum foil bag provided for the test and placed the test strip in the urine.
Again, there was only a deep line.
I have experienced some physical and psychological changes: my breasts feel swollen and uncomfortable, and I have developed four large pimples on my face since my period was due.
I have become easily irritated, and my sleep pattern has changed from sleeping well to waking up particularly early.
In the last two weeks, I have experienced insomnia three or four times and often wake up due to dreams, feeling tense and sometimes very angry.
On 5/12, I went to the gynecologist and took a urine test.
As soon as I entered the examination room, the doctor told me I was not pregnant and advised me to wait another week.
If my period still did not come, I would need an ultrasound (I had barely sat down for a minute).
Because I was very worried, I asked the doctor if I could take medication to induce my period.
He explained that taking it while pregnant could cause the female fetus's clitoris to be enlarged and that I would need to wait another week after taking the medication for my period to arrive.
He then prescribed me three days' worth of norethindrone, three pills a day, and I have one pill left for tomorrow morning.
Since starting the medication, I have felt discomfort in my lower abdomen, with a sensation of needing to have a bowel movement and a feeling of bloating.
The morning after taking the medication (5/13), my first sensation was stomach discomfort and a bit of nausea.
(On 5/12, since I had a late appointment, I only took two pills.) Aside from the brief stomach discomfort and persistent lower abdominal pain (not menstrual cramps) on the morning of 5/13, I have not experienced any other symptoms.
I recently noticed that my areolas seem to have darkened.
Given the current situation, is it possible that I could be pregnant? What should I do if I still do not get my period after waiting a week?

Rou, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/05/15

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

The previous menstrual periods were on 3/28, 2/27, 1/19, 12/14, and 11/07.
As of now, my period has not arrived.
Since 4/1, I have had sexual intercourse weekly with condom use throughout, but I have not been taking oral contraceptives.
Since I used condoms the entire time and checked for any leaks after withdrawal, I believe the chance of pregnancy is quite low.
However, I am concerned that during the process in mid-April, the male partner may have had some of my bodily fluid on his hands and then inserted his fingers into my vagina, potentially introducing sperm.
I expected my period to start on 4/26, but it did not come.
On 4/28, I used a pregnancy test (that day I had less urine, and I urinated directly on the test strip).
After urinating, I saw a very faint second line flash briefly during the process of the test running, but it was only visible for less than a second.
Once the test was fully developed, there was a deep, solid line, but I could not see the second line clearly.
After waiting a week with no period, I tested again around 5/4.
This time, I collected urine in the aluminum foil bag provided for the pregnancy test and placed the test strip in the urine.
Again, there was only a deep, solid line.
I have noticed some physiological and psychological changes: my breasts feel swollen and uncomfortable, and I have developed four large pimples on my face since my period was due.
I have become more irritable, and my sleep pattern has changed from sleeping well to waking up particularly early.
In the past two weeks, I have experienced insomnia three or four times and often wake up due to dreams, feeling tense and sometimes very angry.

On 5/12, I visited a gynecologist and took a urine test.
Upon entering the examination room, the doctor said I was not pregnant and advised me to wait another week for my period.
If it still did not come, I would need an ultrasound (I had just sat down in the examination room for less than a minute).
Because I was very worried, I asked the doctor if I could take medication to induce my period.
He explained that taking it while pregnant could cause the female fetus's clitoris to be enlarged and that I would need to wait another week after taking the medication for my period to start.
He then prescribed me three days' worth of norethindrone, three pills a day, and I have one pill left for tomorrow morning.

Since starting the medication, I have experienced discomfort in my lower abdomen, with a sensation of needing to have a bowel movement, and I feel bloated.
The morning after taking the medication (5/13), my first sensation upon waking was stomach discomfort and a bit of nausea (I only took two pills on 5/12 due to a late appointment).
Aside from the brief stomach discomfort and persistent lower abdominal pain (not menstrual cramps) on 5/13, I have not experienced any other symptoms, but I have noticed that my areolas seem to have darkened.
Is it possible that I could be pregnant? What should I do if my period does not arrive after waiting another week?
Answer: Your description is very detailed, and it appears that you are not pregnant.
After taking the medication to induce your period, if your period does not arrive within ten days, you should see a doctor.

Reply Date: 2017/05/15

More Info

Late menstruation can indeed be a sign of pregnancy, but it is not the only reason for a missed period. In your case, given the timeline of your menstrual cycle and the sexual activity you described, it is understandable to have concerns about the possibility of pregnancy.

First, let's discuss the menstrual cycle. Your previous cycles were regular, with the last period starting on March 28. If we consider that your next expected period would have been around April 26, the absence of menstruation could suggest a few possibilities. The most common reasons for a missed period include pregnancy, stress, hormonal imbalances, or changes in lifestyle.

You mentioned that you have been using condoms consistently during sexual intercourse, which significantly reduces the risk of pregnancy. However, you also expressed concern about a potential risk if there was any contact with bodily fluids. While the risk of pregnancy from such contact is low, it is not entirely impossible, especially if sperm were to enter the vaginal canal.
Regarding the pregnancy test results, it is important to note that home pregnancy tests can sometimes yield faint lines, especially if taken early or if the urine is diluted. A faint line can indicate the presence of the pregnancy hormone hCG, but it is essential to confirm this with a healthcare professional. The fact that you received a strong line on the test after a week suggests that there may be a possibility of pregnancy, but the absence of a second line could indicate that the test was not fully conclusive.

You also reported experiencing physical and emotional changes, such as breast tenderness, mood swings, and skin changes (like acne). These symptoms can be associated with both premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and early pregnancy. However, the stress and anxiety you mentioned about the situation could also contribute to these symptoms, as stress can significantly impact hormonal balance and menstrual regularity.

The medication you were prescribed, norethindrone, is a synthetic form of progesterone that can help induce a period if you are not pregnant. It is crucial to follow your doctor's instructions regarding this medication. If you are experiencing discomfort or unusual symptoms while taking it, you should reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance.

If you do not get your period after completing the course of norethindrone, it would be advisable to follow up with your doctor. They may suggest further testing, such as a blood test for hCG, or an ultrasound to assess your situation more accurately.
In summary, while late menstruation can be a sign of pregnancy, it is essential to consider all factors, including contraceptive use, stress levels, and hormonal changes. If you remain concerned about the possibility of pregnancy or if your symptoms persist, seeking further medical advice is the best course of action. Your health and peace of mind are paramount, and a healthcare professional can provide the most accurate information based on your specific circumstances.

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