Missed Period: Signs of Pregnancy or Other Causes?

Delayed menstrual period, signs of pregnancy?

Hello, doctor.
My period is two to three days late, and I am really worried that I might be pregnant.
My cycle is usually around 30 to 31 days, and my ovulation date in June was around the 20th or 21st.
On the 25th, there was unprotected intercourse for about two to three minutes before a condom was used.
My period was expected around the 5th, but it hasn't arrived yet, which is causing me a lot of anxiety.
In the past, I would experience symptoms like abdominal bloating and breast tenderness, but this time I have none of those symptoms and no discharge either.
However, I have been feeling like my body temperature is elevated, I sweat easily, and my skin feels hot to the touch.
Aside from these symptoms, I have not experienced anything else.
I have tried eating foods that are supposed to induce menstruation and have also pressed on the Sanyinjiao point.
In June, I had trouble sleeping due to the passing of an elder in my family and have been staying up late, but I rarely experienced delayed periods from staying up late in the past.
Doctor, when I press on the Sanyinjiao point, it hurts.
Does this indicate a deficiency in Qi and blood that could be causing the delay, or is it possible that I might actually be pregnant?

Miss Lin, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/07/06

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

My period is two to three days late, and I am very worried that I might be pregnant.
My cycle is usually around 30 or 31 days, and my ovulation date in June was around the 20th or 21st.
On the 25th, there was unprotected intercourse for about two to three minutes before using a condom.
My period was expected to start around the 5th, but it hasn't arrived yet, which is making me anxious.
In the past, I would experience symptoms like abdominal bloating and breast tenderness, but this time I have none of those symptoms and no discharge either.
However, I have been feeling like my body temperature is elevated, I sweat easily, and my body feels hot to the touch.
Aside from these symptoms, I have not experienced anything else.
I have tried eating foods that typically induce menstruation and pressing on the Sanyinjiao point.
In June, I had trouble sleeping due to the passing of an elder in my family and often stayed up late, but in the past, staying up late has rarely caused my period to be delayed.

I would like to ask the doctor: 1.
Is the pain when pressing on the Sanyinjiao point indicative of a deficiency in Qi and blood that could be causing the delay? 2.
Is it possible that I might actually be pregnant?
Answer: 1.
I am not sure about the pain when pressing on the Sanyinjiao point; I recommend consulting a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner for this.
2.
Pregnancy is a possibility; consider taking a pregnancy test.

Reply Date: 2017/07/06

More Info

When it comes to a missed period, especially when you have a regular cycle of 30 to 31 days, it can understandably cause anxiety and concern about potential pregnancy. Based on your description, you had unprotected intercourse for a brief period before using a condom, and your expected period has been delayed by two to three days. Let's break down the situation and explore the possible causes of your missed period, including the signs of pregnancy and other factors that could be at play.

Firstly, the timing of your ovulation is crucial. If you ovulated around June 20 or 21, and had unprotected intercourse on June 25, there is a possibility that sperm could have survived long enough to fertilize an egg, leading to pregnancy. However, the absence of typical premenstrual symptoms, such as breast tenderness or bloating, can be a bit unusual for you, especially if you usually experience these symptoms. The fact that you feel a higher body temperature and are sweating more could be indicative of hormonal changes, which can occur in early pregnancy, but they can also be attributed to stress or other factors.

Given that you mentioned experiencing significant stress due to a family loss, it's important to recognize that stress can have a profound impact on your menstrual cycle. Stress can lead to hormonal imbalances that may delay ovulation or even cause your period to be late. Additionally, changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or irregular sleep due to stress, can further disrupt your cycle.
Regarding your question about pressing on the "San Yin Jiao" point (三陰交), which is a traditional Chinese medicine acupressure point located on the lower leg, tenderness in this area may indicate some level of stagnation or imbalance in your body's energy or blood flow. However, it is not a definitive sign of insufficient qi or blood leading to a delayed period.
To determine whether you might be pregnant, the most reliable method is to take a home pregnancy test. These tests are designed to detect the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is produced after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. It is generally recommended to wait until at least the first day of your missed period for the most accurate results, but some tests can detect pregnancy a few days before your expected period.
If your period does not arrive within a week, or if you continue to experience unusual symptoms, it would be wise to consult a healthcare provider. They can perform a blood test for pregnancy, which is more sensitive than home urine tests, and can also evaluate other potential causes for your missed period, such as hormonal imbalances or other medical conditions.

In summary, while there is a possibility of pregnancy given the timing of your intercourse, stress and lifestyle factors may also be contributing to your missed period. Taking a home pregnancy test and consulting with a healthcare professional if your period does not arrive soon will provide you with clarity and peace of mind. Remember to take care of yourself during this stressful time, as both physical and emotional health are interconnected.

Similar Q&A

Missed Period and Symptoms: Could It Be Pregnancy?

Hello, doctor. My menstrual cycle has always been regular, occurring every 40 days. However, last month it was delayed by five days, and this month it was supposed to start on September 28, but it hasn't come yet. Recently, I've also been experiencing nausea and headach...

Dr. Wang Jionglang reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Xiao Fang, you are a 21-year-old female. If your menstrual cycle is usually quite regular and this time it has been delayed for several days, and if pregnancy cannot be ruled out, you should take a pregnancy test (urine test) immediately to confirm whether you are pregnant.

Missed Period with Symptoms: What Could Be Causing It?

Doctor, my period is already three to four days late. I've been feeling a constant heaviness in my abdomen, and my nipples are painful when pressed, similar to when my period usually comes, but there is no bleeding. I've also noticed an increase in discharge. Could this...

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, the symptoms you described are not definitive signs of pregnancy. It is advisable to check for pregnancy if your period does not arrive within three days. Additionally, consuming cold foods generally does not cause menstrual irregularities. Thank you! Wishing you peace and...

Understanding Delayed Menstruation: Common Causes and Concerns

Doctor, I would like to ask why I had a very light period for two days on February 27-28 last month, and I still haven't gotten my period this month. Is there something wrong with my body?

Dr. Yang Wangjun reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello: If your period is late, the first step is to take a pregnancy test to check for pregnancy. Other causes of delayed or absent menstruation include obesity, excessive stress, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, elevated prolactin levels, elevated androgens, certain medication...

Missed Period: Could It Be Pregnancy or Other Causes?

On September 3, 2008, I accidentally touched my vaginal opening with fingers that had semen on them. My period did not come in September (from the 12th to the 17th). Subsequently, I had my period from October 9-17, November 12-20, December 16-23, and January 17-22. However, the f...

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, the factors that can affect the menstrual cycle or cause bleeding outside of menstruation are numerous, including age, environment, lifestyle, stress, emotional instability, weight changes, medications, emergency contraception, diet, polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine or c...