Is It Pregnancy or Just Irregular Periods? Your Symptoms

Is there a possibility of pregnancy?

The girlfriend's menstrual period started on September 1.
They had sexual intercourse on September 13.
On September 21, she experienced a small amount of pinkish blood, followed by brown blood the next day, but it stopped after a few days.
On September 30, she visited a gynecologist for an ultrasound, but no embryo was detected, even though it had been 17 days since the intercourse.
However, her period has not arrived in the following days.
The doctor prescribed medication to induce menstruation.
On the morning of October 4, a pregnancy test was taken, which showed a negative result, but her period is approximately 3 to 5 days late.
Is this irregular menstruation or pregnancy?

En en en en, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2015/10/04

Dr. Lü Lizheng reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

The pregnancy test on October 4th showed negative, which indicates that you are likely not pregnant.
After taking the medication to induce menstruation, your period should arrive within a few days.
If it does not, please seek medical attention.
Sincerely, Dr.
Lu Li-Cheng, Taoyuan Hospital.

Reply Date: 2015/10/04

More Info

Determining whether your symptoms are indicative of pregnancy or simply irregular menstrual cycles can be quite challenging, especially when you are experiencing unusual bleeding and missed periods. In your case, the timeline and symptoms you provided are crucial for understanding your situation better.

From what you described, your girlfriend's last menstrual period started on September 1, and she had sexual intercourse on September 13. The occurrence of light pink spotting on September 21, followed by brown discharge, could potentially be implantation bleeding, which sometimes occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. However, this is not definitive proof of pregnancy, as other factors can also cause similar symptoms.

You mentioned that an ultrasound performed on September 30 did not reveal any embryo, which is significant. At 17 days post-ovulation (which would be around the time of your sexual encounter), a transvaginal ultrasound can sometimes detect a gestational sac if pregnancy has occurred. The absence of any visible pregnancy on the ultrasound could suggest that either pregnancy has not occurred or it is too early to detect.

The fact that your girlfriend's period is now late by 3 to 5 days adds another layer of complexity. Irregular menstrual cycles can be caused by various factors, including stress, hormonal imbalances, changes in weight, or underlying health conditions. Given that she has already taken a pregnancy test on October 4 that returned negative, it is possible that the missed period could be attributed to these irregularities rather than pregnancy.

In cases of missed periods, it is often recommended to wait a week or so and retest for pregnancy, especially if the initial test was taken too early. Home pregnancy tests are generally reliable, but they can sometimes yield false negatives if taken before the body has produced enough human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the hormone detected by these tests.

If your girlfriend continues to experience irregular bleeding, missed periods, or any other concerning symptoms, it would be wise to consult with a healthcare provider. A gynecologist can perform further evaluations, including blood tests to measure hCG levels, which can provide a more definitive answer regarding pregnancy. Additionally, they can assess for any underlying conditions that may be contributing to her irregular cycles.

In summary, while the symptoms you described could suggest either pregnancy or irregular menstrual cycles, the negative pregnancy test and the ultrasound findings lean more towards the possibility of irregular periods. It is essential to monitor her symptoms and consult with a healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation and guidance.

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