Is It Possible to Be Pregnant If Your Period Is Two Weeks Late?

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 weekly with condom use throughout, but I have not been taking oral contraceptives.
I believe the chance of pregnancy is quite low since we used condoms and checked for any leakage afterward.
However, I am concerned that during the process in mid-April, if the male partner had some of my bodily fluid on his hands and then inserted them into my vagina, could that have 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).
When I saw the test strip running, there was a very faint second line that appeared for less than a second.
Once the color developed fully, there was a deep 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 with the test and placed the test strip in the urine.
Again, there was only a deep 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 instead of sleeping well, I have been waking up unusually 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.
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 in the examination room when the doctor said this.
Because I was very worried, I asked the doctor if I could take medication to induce my period.
He explained that if I were pregnant, taking the medication could cause the clitoris of a female fetus to be larger, and I would need to wait another week after taking the medication for my period to arrive.
He then prescribed 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, feeling like I might have diarrhea, and I have a constant feeling of bloating in my lower abdomen.
The morning after taking the medication (5/13), I woke up feeling some gastric discomfort and a bit of nausea.
Besides the brief gastric discomfort and persistent lower abdominal pain (not menstrual cramps) upon waking on 5/13, I have not experienced any other symptoms, but I just 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 another week?

Rou, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/05/17

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

1.
The previous menstrual periods were on March 28, February 27, January 19, December 14, and November 7.
Since I have not had my period this time, I have had sexual intercourse every week from April 1 until now, always using condoms, 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, if the male partner had some of his bodily fluid on his hands and then inserted them into my vagina, could that have potentially introduced sperm? Ans: Unlikely.
2.
I was expecting my period to start on April 26, but it did not come.
On April 28, I used a pregnancy test (that day I had less urine, so I directly urinated on the end of the test strip).
After urinating, I saw a very faint second line flash briefly during the process of the test running, which lasted less than a second.
Once the red color had fully developed, there was a deep line, but I could not see the second line clearly.
After waiting a week and still not having my period, I tested again around May 4.
This time, I collected urine in the aluminum foil bag provided for the test and then placed the test strip in the urine.
Again, there was only a deep line.
Ans: Not pregnant.
3.
There have been some physiological and psychological changes: I have experienced breast tenderness and developed four large pimples on my face since my period was supposed to start.
I have become more irritable; I used to sleep well but have been waking up particularly early, and in the last two weeks, I have had insomnia three or four times, often waking up due to dreams.
When I wake up, my emotions and muscles feel tense, and once I woke up feeling very angry.
Ans: Not specific to pregnancy.
4.
On May 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 just sat down in the examination room for less than a minute).
Later, because I was really 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 come.
He then prescribed me three days' worth of norethindrone, three pills a day, and I currently have one pill left for tomorrow morning.
Ans: Correct management.
5.
Since taking the medication, I have been experiencing discomfort in my lower abdomen, with a sensation of wanting to have diarrhea, and I feel bloated in that area.
The morning after taking the medication (May 13), my first feeling upon waking was stomach discomfort and a bit of nausea.
(On May 12, I only took two pills because my appointment was later in the day.) Aside from the brief stomach discomfort and persistent vague lower abdominal pain (not menstrual cramps) upon waking on May 13, I have not experienced any other symptoms.
I just noticed that my areolas seem to have darkened.
Ans: Side effects of the medication to induce menstruation.
6.
Is it currently possible that I could be pregnant? Ans: It is unlikely.
7.
What should I do if I still do not have my period after waiting a week? Ans: Consult the doctor again.

Reply Date: 2017/05/17

More Info

When dealing with the concern of a missed period, especially when it is two weeks late, it is essential to consider several factors to determine the possibility of pregnancy. In your case, you have a history of irregular menstrual cycles, which can complicate the situation. Your last recorded periods were on March 28, February 27, and January 19, indicating that your cycles are not consistent. This irregularity can lead to uncertainty regarding when ovulation occurs, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact timing of potential conception.

You mentioned that you have been engaging in sexual activity since April 1, using condoms consistently, and you have checked for any leaks or breakages. This is a crucial step in preventing pregnancy, as condoms are generally effective when used correctly. However, you expressed concern about the possibility of sperm being transferred if the male partner had bodily fluids on his hands and then touched your genital area. While this scenario is theoretically possible, the likelihood of achieving pregnancy in such a manner is relatively low, especially if the condom was used properly during intercourse.

The fact that you tested for pregnancy on April 28 and observed a faint line on the test could indicate a very early pregnancy, but it is also possible that the test was not sensitive enough to detect lower levels of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) if you are indeed pregnant. The faint line suggests that you should consider retesting a few days later, ideally with the first morning urine, which is more concentrated and may yield a clearer result.

You also mentioned experiencing physical and emotional changes, such as breast tenderness, acne, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms can be associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or early pregnancy. However, they are not definitive indicators of pregnancy on their own.

Regarding your visit to the gynecologist, the doctor indicated that you were not pregnant based on a urine test performed in the office. It is important to note that urine tests can sometimes yield false negatives, especially if taken too early or if the urine is diluted. If your period does not arrive within a week after your last visit, it would be advisable to return to the doctor for further evaluation, which may include a blood test for pregnancy and possibly an ultrasound to check for any underlying issues.

You have also started taking norethindrone, a medication that can help induce a period. While this medication can be effective, it is essential to follow your doctor's instructions carefully. If you experience significant discomfort or if your symptoms worsen, do not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider for further guidance.

In summary, while the possibility of pregnancy exists, especially with a missed period and faint test results, the consistent use of condoms significantly reduces that risk. If your period does not arrive after completing the course of norethindrone, or if you have any concerns about your symptoms, it is crucial to seek further medical advice. Your health and well-being should always be the priority, and your healthcare provider can offer the best guidance tailored to your specific situation.

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