Late Period at 40: Possible Pregnancy & Concerns

Question
Hi
I had a period last month on March 19.  I haven't had one this month.  My cycle is usually 24-26 days.  Last month my period was late.  I am 40 years old.  I have never been pregnant and I have problems with one of my tubes.  Could I be pregnant.  I had some spotting after sex the last two or three times.  This has never happened.

Answer
Dear T,

Bleeding/spotting after sex is not a normal occurrence and is often a symptom of another condition. Some common causes of this are:
- Cervical dysplasia - precancerous changes of the epithelial cells that line the cervix. (Risk increases with multiple sexual partners, sex before age 18, childbirth before age 16, or a past history of STDs. Treatment is usually cryosurgery or conization.)
- Chlamydia - A bacterial infection that is usually transmitted through sexual activity or contact with semen, vaginal fluid, or blood.
- Gonorrhea - A usually sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacteria.
- Vaginitis or Cervicitis- Inflammation or swelling and infection of the vagina or cervix.
- Cervical polyps - Cervical polyps are smooth, red or purple, finger-like growths that grow out of the mucuos layer of the cervix or the cervical canal. Cervical polyps are extremely fragile, extending out of the cervix, and can be easily and fairly painlessly removed.
- Trichomoniasis - A usually sexually transmitted disease caused by protozoan. Although rare, transmission is also possible in tap water, hot tubs, urine, on toilet seats, and in swimming pools.
- Vaginal Yeast Infection - An overgrowth of the normal fungi that inhabits the vaginal area. (Common symptoms include itching, burning, and an odorless, white, cottage cheese-like discharge.)
- Endometritis or adenomyosis - Endometritis is an inflammation of the endometrium (the innermost layer of the uterus). Both conditions are associated with endometriosis. Adenomysis is when endometrial tissue attaches itself to the uterus, or another organ such as the ovaries, and grows outside of the uterus.
- Uterine polyps - Uterine polyps occur when the endometrium overgrows causing these protrusions into the uterus. Women with uterine polyps frequently experience bleeding between periods, vaginal bleeding after sex, spotting, bleeding after menopause, and breakthrough bleeding during hormone therapy.
- Fibroid tumors - Uterine fibroid tumors are usually benign tumors. They are solid masses made of fibrous tissue. Fibroid tumors are rarely malignant. Symptoms of fibroid tumors vary among women, with some women never experiencing any symptoms at all.

If your only symptom was the delay in your period, I would simply be giving you some information about the reasons why your periods can be delayed. But because this symptom is occurring in addition to the spotting/bleeding after your most recent sexual encounters, I am suggesting that you see your doctor so that a cause can be determined.

I hope this information has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda