Pregnancy Concerns: Symptoms and Signs - Obstetrics and Gynecology

Are you pregnant?

Hello Doctor, I am #146070.
My period still hasn't arrived, and today I noticed faint white, shiny lines on my lower back and buttocks.
I'm wondering if these could be stretch marks.
While researching online, I found that some people experience small red spots on their skin before stretch marks appear.
My skin has not been very good, and today I noticed two or three red spots on my right thigh.
Could these be early signs of stretch marks? Additionally, I've had white discharge from my nipples; a few days ago, I could squeeze it out once or twice and it would stop, but today I squeezed three or four times and it still came out (about the size of a grain of rice).
I would like to ask the doctor: 1.
Are the lines on my lower back and buttocks stretch marks? 2.
Do red spots appear before stretch marks? Are the red spots on my thigh early signs of stretch marks? 3.
Given my situation, can I still be certain that I am not pregnant? 4.
How many days after my period is due can I confirm that I am pregnant? 5.
I am preparing for university entrance exams; could the delay in my period simply be due to stress? 6.
Is the nipple discharge I experienced a few days ago and today normal before my period? 7.
I have been feeling like my period is about to come, but it hasn't arrived; what could be the reason? 8.
Is it possible for stretch marks to appear while a pregnancy test still shows a single line? 9.
If my period arrives in a few days, can I be certain that I won't become pregnant in the future (before any sexual activity)? 10.
If my current condition indicates pregnancy, how far along am I? Can I still terminate the pregnancy at this stage? Can it be done with medication, or is surgery necessary? What type of surgery? 11.
Since early February, my belly has been larger than usual, and it still is, but when I inhale and tighten my stomach, it can shrink to just a slight bulge or even be completely flat.
If I am pregnant, can it still shrink? 12.
When standing or sitting, my belly feels soft (only a little bit hard), and when sitting, it can form two layers, which I can pinch up as a thick layer of flesh.
When walking, my belly also jiggles slightly; is this pregnancy or just fat? 13.
When I press hard on my belly (near the lower abdomen), I feel something hard inside; could this be pregnancy, or could it be another organ or foreign object? 14.
Do I need to go to a clinic or hospital for further examination?

Niming, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2019/05/14

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

The menstrual period still hasn't arrived.
Today, I noticed faint white, shiny lines on my lower back and buttocks, and I'm unsure if they are stretch marks.
While researching online, I found that some people experience small red spots on their skin before stretch marks appear.
My skin has never been very good, and today I noticed two or three red spots on my right thigh.
I'm wondering if these could be the early signs of stretch marks as mentioned online.
Additionally, I've been experiencing white discharge from my nipples; a few days ago, I could squeeze it out once or twice, but today I squeezed three or four times and still had discharge (about the size of a grain of rice).
I would like to ask the doctor:
1.
Are the lines on my lower back and buttocks stretch marks?
Answer: No, they are not stretch marks.

2.
Do red spots appear before stretch marks? Are the red spots on my thigh early signs of stretch marks?
Answer: No, they are not early signs of stretch marks.

3.
Can I still be certain that I am not pregnant in this situation?
Answer: Yes.

4.
How many days after my period is due can I confirm pregnancy?
Answer: If your period hasn't arrived by July 6, see a doctor.

5.
I am preparing for university entrance exams; could the delayed period simply be due to stress?
Answer: Yes.

6.
Is the nipple discharge I experienced a few days ago and today normal before a period?
Answer: Yes.

7.
I have been feeling like my period is about to come, but it still hasn't; why is that?
Answer: Due to stress.

8.
Is it possible for stretch marks to have already appeared while a pregnancy test still shows only one line?
Answer: No, that is not possible.

9.
If my period arrives in a few days, can I be certain that I won't get pregnant in the future (before any sexual activity)?
Answer: Yes.

10.
If my current condition suggests pregnancy, how far along would I be? Can I still terminate it? Can it be done with medication, or is surgery necessary? What type of surgery?
Answer: You are not pregnant.

11.
Since early February, my abdomen has been larger than usual, and it still appears large.
However, when I inhale, it can shrink to just a slight bulge, and sometimes it can be completely flat.
If I were pregnant, would it be able to shrink like that?
Answer: No.

12.
When standing or sitting, my abdominal fat feels soft (with only a little hardness).
When sitting, it divides into two layers, and I can pinch a thick layer of fat.
When walking, my belly also jiggles slightly.
Is this pregnancy or fat?
Answer: Fat.

13.
When I press hard on my abdomen (near the lower abdomen), I feel something hard inside.
Is this pregnancy, or could it be another organ or foreign object?
Answer: It is another organ.

14.
Do I need to go to a clinic or hospital for further examination?
Answer: If your period hasn't arrived by July 6, see a doctor.

Reply Date: 2019/05/14

More Info

It sounds like you have a lot of concerns regarding your potential pregnancy and the symptoms you're experiencing. Let's break down your questions and address them one by one, while also providing some context about pregnancy and its associated symptoms.

1. Are the white lines on your lower back and buttocks stretch marks (striae gravidarum)? Stretch marks typically appear during pregnancy due to rapid skin stretching. They can start as red, purple, or brown streaks before fading to lighter colors. If you are experiencing these lines, they could indeed be early signs of stretch marks, but they can also occur for other reasons, such as weight changes or hormonal fluctuations.

2. Do stretch marks appear with red spots? Some women may notice small red or purple spots on their skin before stretch marks develop. These can be related to skin changes during pregnancy, but they are not definitive indicators of stretch marks. The red spots on your thigh could be unrelated, possibly due to skin irritation or another benign condition.

3. Can you still be certain you are not pregnant? If your period is late and you are experiencing these symptoms, it is advisable to take a pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests are quite sensitive and can detect pregnancy hormones (hCG) in your urine, often before a missed period.

4. How late should your period be to confirm pregnancy? Generally, if your period is more than a week late, it is a good time to take a pregnancy test. However, some women may experience irregular cycles, so it’s important to consider your typical cycle length.

5. Could stress be causing your delayed period? Yes, stress can significantly affect your menstrual cycle. High levels of stress can lead to hormonal imbalances, which may result in a delayed or missed period.

6. Is the white discharge from your nipples normal? Nipple discharge can occur for various reasons, including hormonal changes, especially if you are close to your menstrual cycle. However, if the discharge is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, it may be worth discussing with a healthcare provider.

7. Why do you feel like your period is about to start but it doesn’t? This sensation can be caused by hormonal fluctuations or stress. It’s common for women to experience premenstrual symptoms without the actual onset of menstruation.

8. Is it possible to have stretch marks and still test negative for pregnancy? Yes, stretch marks can develop due to weight changes or hormonal shifts unrelated to pregnancy. Therefore, it is possible to have stretch marks without being pregnant.

9. If your period arrives, can you be sure you won't get pregnant in the future? A single menstrual cycle does not guarantee future fertility. If you are sexually active and do not use contraception, there is always a risk of pregnancy.

10. If you are pregnant, how far along might you be? Without a positive pregnancy test, it’s difficult to determine how far along you might be. If you suspect you are pregnant, a healthcare provider can perform a blood test for a more accurate assessment.

11. Can your abdomen shrink if you are pregnant? Yes, during early pregnancy, the abdomen may not appear significantly larger, and it can still be flexible. However, as pregnancy progresses, the abdomen will become more pronounced.

12. Is the softness of your abdomen indicative of pregnancy or fat? A soft abdomen can be normal, especially if you are not far along in a potential pregnancy. It can also indicate body fat.
13. Is the hardness you feel when pressing on your abdomen a sign of pregnancy? It could be the uterus or other organs, but without a positive pregnancy test or ultrasound confirmation, it’s hard to say definitively.

14. Should you seek further medical evaluation? If you have concerns about your symptoms, a visit to a healthcare provider is advisable. They can perform tests and provide clarity regarding your situation.

In summary, many of the symptoms you are experiencing can be related to pregnancy, hormonal changes, or stress. The best course of action is to take a pregnancy test and consult with a healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation. They can help you understand your symptoms and guide you on the next steps based on your individual situation. Remember, early prenatal care is essential for a healthy pregnancy if you are indeed pregnant.

Similar Q&A

Concerns About Pregnancy: Signs and What to Do Next

Hello doctor, I had sexual intercourse with my boyfriend on July 17th, and my period came three days later. However, recently I've been feeling like my abdomen is getting bigger. Could I be pregnant, or is it just weight gain? I already have a small belly, so it's hard ...

Dr. Lü Lizheng reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
1. A few days after engaging in sexual intercourse, if menstruation occurs, it indicates that the endometrium has shed, making it impossible for the embryo to implant on the surface of the uterine lining, thus pregnancy cannot occur. 2. There are many reasons for abdominal enla...

Early Signs of Pregnancy: What to Look For Before Your Period

Hello, I apologize for taking up your time, but I have some questions. Since last month, my menstrual cycle has been irregular; it was over two weeks late. I was supposed to start my period on the 7th of this month, but I took traditional Chinese medicine at the end of November t...

Dr. Shi Chengyang reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello Annie: In the early stages of pregnancy, it's important to pay attention to symptoms such as vomiting, chills, fever, and lower abdominal cramping. 1. Severe vomiting may indicate hyperemesis gravidarum. 2. Chills, fever, burning sensation during urination, and diarrhe...

Early Pregnancy Concerns: Symptoms, Testing, and Ultrasound Insights

Hello, I would like to ask a question. My last menstrual period was on July 27 (my cycle is not very regular). However, on August 18, I noticed some brown vaginal discharge, which was very minimal and lasted for about three to four days (the total amount was less than a typical l...

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, based on your description, it is possible that you are in early pregnancy, likely less than 5 weeks, which is why the ultrasound may not yet show a gestational sac. There is also a possibility that the gestational sac is not developing properly or that it could be an ectop...

Understanding PMS: Early Symptoms and Pregnancy Concerns Explained

Hello Doctor: I had sexual intercourse on March 17, and my boyfriend used a condom. My period started on March 21 (I confirmed it was my period). My cycle is about 32 to 37 days long. After my period ended, around day 12 of my cycle, I started to notice an increase in discharge, ...

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, the symptoms in early pregnancy are not always specific, and subjective symptoms alone cannot be used to determine pregnancy. It is advisable to consult a physician for a proper examination if you are uncertain about being pregnant. Common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome...