QuestionFirst of all I want to thank you for taking the time to read and respond to all of the questions asked on this site - I really respect the time and energy you and the other experts put into this.
I am 26 years old and my LMP was 11/25/2008. Generally I have a 28 to 30 day cycle with one cycle a year that is 'off' (meaning I have very little bleeding/different from a 'normal' cycle for me). My cycles last for seven days and I generally have moderate to heavy menstrual bleeding. I have never gone this long without a period. I have taken several HPTs spread out one week at a time - all of them have been negative. Within the last two weeks, I have experienced an increased need to urinate - to the point where today I was running to the restroom every 40 minutes which is VERY unusual for me. There are no signs that I have a UTI - no burning, no blood, the volume is normal and the urine is pale yellow or clear. I have also been experiencing a 'full' sensation in my pelvis that is rather uncomfortable but not painful or crampy. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 11 months now - I was charting my cervical position, cervical mucous and BBT for the first 8 months but that became too stressful and we decided to let nature take it's course and be relaxed about getting pregnant, so I am unsure when we had intercourse in relation to ovulation dates. I have assumed that since I have not had a period and I have had multiple negative HPTs that I must not be pregnant and have done some research as to what might be causing my missed period - PCOS seems to fit the bill. I am overweight, with a recent unexplained weight gain of about 15 pounds and most of it is around my waistline. I have a family history of diabetes and I have had some abnormal hair growth on my chin - a few stray hairs here and there. Only other symptom at the moment is I have checked my cervical position for the last three weeks trying to see if my cycle was regulating or not - I have had a high and very soft CP for the last six days which is WAY longer than I have ever experienced that during a cycle.
My question is : How likely is it that I am actually pregnant? Or are all signs pointing to PCOS or some other abnormality? I am going to go see a doctor about this, but they couldn't schedule me for another two weeks and I need some peace of mind. Do I need to 'act' as if I am pregnant?
Thank you so much.
AnswerDear Meagan
It is very unusual for a pregnancy test to be negative if measured 6 weeks or more from the first day of your missed period unless there is something wrong with the test such as expired kit, or may be you performed it the wrong way and not as te accompanying instructions describe the method of use. In fact, these two possoibilities seem to be remote.
Therefore, I will go with the diagnosis of a polycystic ovary especially because you have some symptoms of PCO. However, a definite diagnosis needs some hormonal investigations and may be pelvic ultrasound as well. An important line of treatment is reduction of weight. Many cases respond adequately with just weight loss and resumes ovulation without any medical help.
It is important to have a clinical examination for proper workup and treatment. The prognosis of this case is excellent almost without exception. I recommend you keep yourself relaxed while being under treatment or trying to lose weight. This is an important aspec as worry, by itself, in many cases suppresses ovulation.
Iwish you best of luck
