QuestionHey
My last period was on Sept. 20th. I took 3 HPT's in Oct. and 2 this month they were negative. I guess I'm trying to figure why I haven't got my period. Am I pregnant or is it something else keeping me from having my period? The only things that are making me think I am, is that I have been really tired here lately, emotional, and being going to the bathroom a lot.
AnswerDear Tiffany,
If you had unprotected sex during the last couple of cycles, then you cannot dismiss the possibility of pregnancy. But the symptoms you describe are hormonal in nature and can also be related to hormone fluctuations within your cycle. That is why it so difficult to "diagnose" a pregnancy based on symptoms alone.
You can either wait for the next cycle to see if your periods resume or have your doctor's office do a quantitative blood pregnancy test (serum beta hCG). That test will give an actual amount of hCG in your bloodstream rather than just a positive/negative result. Any amount of 25 mIU/ml or more would be considered positive for pregnancy.
There are many various causes for amenorrhea (absence of periods) - pregnancy being just one. Others can be:
-Hormonal abnormalities, which cause fluctuating levels of the hormones needed to support menstruation
-Emotional or physical stress / Depression
-Rapid weight loss or gain
-Change in diet
-Low body weight
-Obesity
-Frequent or strenuous exercise
-Cysts or tumors in the ovaries
-Thyroid or Pituitary dysfunction
-Certain medications or drug use
-Menopause OR Premature ovarian failure (menopause before age 40)
-Occasionally stopping birth control pills
The general recommendation is that if you miss three consecutive periods and pregnancy is not the reason, you should see your doctor so that a cause can be determined. More than likely your doctor will do a quantitative blood pregnancy test at that time to make sure that pregnancy is ruled out as an option.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
