I can understand why you are worried, and I am happy that you found EmpowHER! I know...there seems to be a litany of "I was pregnant and didn't know it!" on discussion threads, and now it is even a TV show. They really do know how to play into women's worst fears!
Here are the facts:
- The vast majority of women (less those trying to get onto TV) absolutely DO know when they are pregnant, after they have missed their period.
- Home pregnancy tests are 99% effective at detecting any "pregnancy hormone" once you have missed your period, and you took two to confirm well after your missed period.
- You used a condom PLUS the withdrawal method, with a condom being up to 98% effective (when used alone) and the withdrawal method being about 75% effective (when used alone). In combination, these numbers increase in effectiveness for pregnancy prevention.
There is a clear indication that you are not pregnant, and that you can trust in your home pregnancy test results, in combination with your healthy choices to use safer sex options (condoms).
Now, the next question: why hasn't your period started yet? Many women have late, or even missed, periods, and this can be perfectly OK once you have confirmed that you are not pregnant (and, yes, you have!). Sometimes stress alone can "cause" your period to be a no-show one month, as can recent illnesses, change in medication, or medical conditions.
You have a few options:
1. Call your GYN, and talk to the nurse regarding your concerns of no period, two negative pregnancy tests, and if they would like to see you for a medical exam (I'm not sure if you have any other medical conditions; most GYN do not need/want to see a women who has a missed period until she has missed 2 or 3 in-a-row...it really is that common!)
2. Wait until your next period, and assume this period has been officially missed.
I know...it's bad timing with your breakup and now you are starting to question everything you did in the previous month. This is good to question and analyze (another reason you would not be one of those women who "OMG, I didn't know I was pregnant!", because you are aware of your behaviors and your body), and then there is a time when the analysis turns to over-analysis, pondering the medical anomaly "what-if's", and worrying.
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Hi Lisa,
I can understand why you are worried, and I am happy that you found EmpowHER! I know...there seems to be a litany of "I was pregnant and didn't know it!" on discussion threads, and now it is even a TV show. They really do know how to play into women's worst fears!
Here are the facts:
- The vast majority of women (less those trying to get onto TV) absolutely DO know when they are pregnant, after they have missed their period.
- Home pregnancy tests are 99% effective at detecting any "pregnancy hormone" once you have missed your period, and you took two to confirm well after your missed period.
- You used a condom PLUS the withdrawal method, with a condom being up to 98% effective (when used alone) and the withdrawal method being about 75% effective (when used alone). In combination, these numbers increase in effectiveness for pregnancy prevention.
There is a clear indication that you are not pregnant, and that you can trust in your home pregnancy test results, in combination with your healthy choices to use safer sex options (condoms).
Now, the next question: why hasn't your period started yet? Many women have late, or even missed, periods, and this can be perfectly OK once you have confirmed that you are not pregnant (and, yes, you have!). Sometimes stress alone can "cause" your period to be a no-show one month, as can recent illnesses, change in medication, or medical conditions.
You have a few options:
1. Call your GYN, and talk to the nurse regarding your concerns of no period, two negative pregnancy tests, and if they would like to see you for a medical exam (I'm not sure if you have any other medical conditions; most GYN do not need/want to see a women who has a missed period until she has missed 2 or 3 in-a-row...it really is that common!)
2. Wait until your next period, and assume this period has been officially missed.
I know...it's bad timing with your breakup and now you are starting to question everything you did in the previous month. This is good to question and analyze (another reason you would not be one of those women who "OMG, I didn't know I was pregnant!", because you are aware of your behaviors and your body), and then there is a time when the analysis turns to over-analysis, pondering the medical anomaly "what-if's", and worrying.
Does this help?
December 20, 2009 - 8:47amThis Comment
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