Another "Pregnant? or just Stress-induced missed period?" question

Hi, Anon, and welcome to EmpowHer. Thank you for your question.

I'm sorry you're having to go through the worry over a late period. But even though you are never late, that could be what's happening now. Since you were careful with the condom, my guess is that you're just having some sort of a hormonal blip this month and it's causing a delay.

Stress can, indeed, cause a period to go late. Also, any large change in medicine, diet, exercise etc can affect it. If you've been very busy at work, perhaps other things about your routine have also changed?

I would give it a few days before you worry too much. And since you are usually very regular, perhaps take a home pregnancy test if you go a week late.

It makes sense that you are worried about a late period, and hopefully this information can help.

So many women have asked this same question, and have had a negative pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests are about 99% effective at detecting any "pregnancy hormones" once you have missed your period, so you can be fairly secure in the results you received.

The normal range for a menstrual cycle is 21-35 days, and you have gone beyond this range to about day 49 (is that correct?). For some reason, many women experience late periods or even a missed period, and this can be normal. Most likely your regular period will resume next month, but if it does not, you may want to call your doctor to rule out any medical conditions.

The symptoms you refer may be signs of hormone-fluctuations, either from pregnancy or from an upcoming period (sore breasts, headache, nausea, cramping, lower back pain, etc). Early pregnancy signs are so similar to pre-menstrual signs that it is impossible to differentiate until "after-the-fact" (either you find out you are pregnant or your period starts).

So, where does this leave you? Either waiting for your period for another week, or calling your doctor (most offices have a nurse triage that can answer questions over the phone) for their recommendation, based on your medical history. Your doctor may want to see you, or may tell you a missed period one month can be normal with two negative hpt. They may want you to take an in-office pregnancy test (urine) to be sure.

One other note about "dry intercourse". There is no such thing as "dry" intercourse, and you may be referring to the slang, "dry humping"? The word "dry" means there is no bodily fluid exchange or contact at all, and can only be achieved when clothed. Intercourse, even without orgasms or ejaculation, is not "dry", as there are many bodily fluids involved: vaginal lubrication, vaginal secretions and/or pre-ejaculatory fluid on the penis. You might be interested to know, that what you actually engaged in is called the Withdrawal Method (or "pull out" method), a type of birth control with intercourse, where the male pulls out or withdraws his penis before he ejaculates. This birth control method is typically about 84% effective as pregnancy prevention (perfect use is higher, but difficult to perform when not actively practicing this method), and this compares to 98% and 99% for perfect use of condoms and hormonal contraceptive, respectively.

Amy,
I don't think you should take another hpt, as you likely will not have different results after taking 3 of them (and, you are taking them at the correct time...after a missed period).

As you mentioned, there could be a medical reason for your late or missed period, and if your period does not start within the next few weeks, you may want to ask a doctor about it. I am not sure if you can call long distance (if it is worth it?!) to your GYN "back home" to ask for their recommendation (since they have all of your past medical information, including your family history of thyroid conditions). I do not know if they would say it's OK to miss one period...but if you miss another to find a GYN in Germany?

Best of luck! Keep us posted...let us know when your period begins!

The hpt are 99% effective at detecting "pregnancy hormones" after you have missed a period, and since your's said "negative", you can be fairly certain that the results are accurate if it was used as directed. It is an excellent idea to re-test if you have not started your period by the 21st, as mistakes can happen when using the tests.

In the meantime, we can only speculate as to why your period is late. It could be pregnancy, or a "normal fluctuation" as you mentioned (I know it's weird when it happens, seemingly for no reason!), or it could even be a medical condition. If you are having no symptoms, have a second negative hpt, but your period still does not begin by the 21st, it would be a good idea to call your doctor (it will then be 37 days since your LMP). A "normal range" for a cycle is 21-35 days, but this also just a range. Many women have asked this same question on this site, wondering why their period is so late without a pregnancy, and the "normal fluctuations" can happen with increased stress, recent illness or new medication...or you may not know why it occurred. The important thing is: if you have any other symptoms or this occurs repeatedly, please see your doctor to rule out any medical reasons.

I also have to mention that the withdrawal method is a common form of birth control, but one of the least reliable. With "typical use", it is about 83% effective at preventing pregnancy (compared with hormonal contraception at 99% and condoms at up to 98%). Even when used perfectly, the pre-ejaculate may still contain sperm before your partner ejaculates. There are actually several ways to use the Withdrawal Method to increase your chances of using it "perfectly" (with a 94% effectiveness rate), if you are interested in learning more: here.

one more thing, i am not on any birth control and i haven't been for years. thank you