When To Visit The Ob/gyn
A rule of thumb when dealing with periods is that one or two irregular months arent abnormal, but anything more is worth a phone call to our office. Amenorrhea, which is the absence of periods, can be caused by a number of factors, and we can help diagnose and treat those issues.
Have you noticed something is off with your menstrual cycle? Bring your problems to Dr. Serrano at Serrano OBGyn. You can make an appointment by calling our office in San Antonio, Texas, at 210-761-5309, or visit our contact page for more information.
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Medicines And Medical Treatment
As discussed above, a number of contraceptive treatments can stop you having periods. Other medicines can affect periods too. Examples are some medicines for schizophrenia , an anti-sickness medicine called metoclopramide and strong painkillers called opiates.A number of operations may result in absent periods. For example, after a hysterectomy you will not have periods. A hysterectomy is an operation where the womb is removed. As the blood during a period comes from the womb, you will never have periods again afterwards. Another operation , which is sometimes done for heavy periods, also causes periods to stop. In this operation the lining of the womb is removed. This is not usually permanent and periods start again in time.
Treatments for cancer, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, can also damage the ovaries and result in absent periods. Recreational drugs such as heroin may also cause periods to stop.
Home Pregnancy Test Accuracy
If used correctly and at the right time, home pregnancy tests are fairly accurate at detecting pregnancy. Used correctly means that you read the directions and follow them. Each test has slightly different directions, so if using different brands, it’s important to read the directions. Also, using the test at the right time makes a difference in ‘accuracy’. Women who test too early will get inaccurate results.
The absolute best time to take any pregnancy test is a few days after a missed period. This is when the hormone hCG, the pregnancy hormone produced by the growing balls of cells if there is indeed a pregnancy, is most easily detected by home pregnancy tests. Too soon before that and you may get a false negative as your body has not produced enough hCG.
Some tests do claim that they can get you early results, meaning results before your next expected period. If you truly read their statements, however, you’ll find that the early results are only possible for a small percentage of women, not every woman. It’s most likely a marketing ploy to encourage you to take more tests and hence spend more money.
I have had three different experiences with home pregnancy tests. With my first pregnancy, I saw a positive result on the day of my expected period. With my second pregnancy, I didn’t get a positive result until almost my sixth week of pregnancy . With my third, I was able to test two days before my expected period and get a positive result.
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When Do Pregnancy Symptoms Start
âUsually 1-2 weeks following the missed period,â says Dr. Trolice. âThis is 5-6 weeks estimated gestational age.â
Did you know that when youâre pregnant, your first week is the first week of your last period?
It may seem confusing, but healthcare professionals have tracked pregnancies beginning with the first day of the last menstrual period. Forty weeks after that is when birth occurs on average. They did not and do not track from the moment of conception, simply because it is nearly impossible to determine the actual date and time of conception when the sperm meets the egg. Sperm can live from 3-5 days inside of a womanâs body after intercourse, so thereâs no way to know exactly the moment of conception.
In the time after your last period, your body is preparing itself for a pregnancy. In a 28 day cycle, an egg will be released from the ovaries around the 14th day of the cycle, in a process called ovulation. That time is considered your most fertile time when thereâs potential for sperm to fertilize an egg if you had intercourse. If they do meet and the egg becomes fertilized, it is considered conception.
For most women trying to have their first baby, the first noticeable sign then of a pregnancy would be the missed period. Others who are more in tune with their bodies or who have already experienced a pregnancy would notice other symptoms, like fatigue, a few days sooner, suspecting pregnancy before the missed period.
When To Call Your Healthcare Provider
Missing a period every once in a while is usually not cause for concern. That said, you should see a healthcare provider if you miss more than one period, or your missed period is accompanied by new or unusual symptoms.
Seek medical attention right away if you also experience any of the following:
- New or worsening headaches
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Causes Of A Missed Period
Often there is nothing to worry about when periods stop, and no serious cause. There are certain times when it is normal not to have periods. These include:
- Before puberty. Girls start to go through puberty from around the age of 9 years and their periods start a year or two later. Up until that point girls do not have periods.
- During pregnancy. If you are pregnant, your periods will normally stop until after the baby is born.
- During breastfeeding. If you are fully breastfeeding, you will normally not have a period until you stop. You may find you have a bleed if you drop a feed, or start to breastfeed less.
- After menopause. The menopause is the time in your life when your ovaries stop producing eggs and you stop having periods. The average menopause is around the age of 51. You will be classed as having gone through the menopause a year after your last period. However, it is extremely common for your periods to become less regular in the years leading up to the menopause. See the separate leaflet called Menopause for more details.
- If you are using certain types of contraception. Some types of contraception may stop periods. They do not do so in all women however, it is normal not to have periods if you are using:
Can Protected Sex Delay My Period
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- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Reviewed on 10/9/2020
A late or missed menstrual period is a sign of pregnancy or the menopausal transition, and a late period can also occur as a response to hormonal changes and disturbances. Painful sexual intercourse can be associated with many gynecologic infections and pelvic inflammatory disease. Many of these conditions require immediate medical treatment, so be sure to seek the advice of a physician if you are experiencing these symptoms.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
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Figure Out How Likely It Is That Youre Pregnant
You can only get pregnant during ovulation, a narrow window of 5 to 6 days per month.
If you have a 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation happens around day 14.
Your risk of pregnancy is highest in the 4 to 5 days leading up to ovulation, on the day of ovulation, and the day after ovulation.
Although an egg only lives for about 24 hours after ovulation, sperm can live up to five days inside the body.
If Needed Talk With A Healthcare Provider About Next Steps
Although you dont have to talk to a doctor or other provider to get OTC birth control, they can be an invaluable resource.
Your healthcare provider is there to help you find the right birth control, prescription or otherwise, for your lifestyle.
They can help you make the switch and guide you on next steps.
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You Use The Pull Out Method
This old-school method of preventing pregnancy is a far cry from a myth. It’s not foolproof and it can certainly result in pregnancy, but it does significantly decrease your chances of getting pregnant. In case you need a refresher course on the pull-out method, also known as withdrawal, it involves the male partner pulling out of the vagina before he ejaculates. The problem, however, is that pre-ejaculate or precum, the bodily fluid that’s released from the penis before an actual ejaculation, very well may contain active and viable sperm.
Additionally, Mark Trolice, M.D., reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist at My Fertility CARE: The IVF Center in Winter Park, Florida, explains that most men aren’t aware of when they release this precum. “Because it’s hard to predict when pre-ejaculation occurs, the withdrawal method is often fraught with peril and certainly not the most reliable method out there,” he says.
How hard is it to get pregnant while using withdrawal? Withdrawal is about 96 percent effective with perfect use and 82 percent effective with typical use. If you really want to avoid pregnancy, choose a different contraceptive method
How To Support Your Friend Partner Or Loved One
There are several things you can do to support someone whos dealing with a pregnancy scare:
- Listen to their concerns. Hear their fears and feelings. Try not to interrupt even if you dont necessarily understand or agree.
- Remain calm. If you panic, you wont help them and you might shut down the conversation.
- Allow them to lead the conversation, but make it clear that you support them in whatever they decide. Regardless of your relationship to them, theyre the one who would be most directly affected by a pregnancy. Its important to remember that whatever steps they decide to take are up to them and them alone.
- Help them purchase and take the test, if thats something they want. Even though theres nothing to be ashamed of, some people find it embarrassing to buy a pregnancy test alone. Offer to go for or with them. Let them know that you can be there while they take the test.
- Go with them to any appointments, if thats something they want. This could mean going to the doctor to confirm a pregnancy or meeting with a healthcare provider to get advice on next steps.
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What Are The Major Differences Between Early Pregnancy And Pre
“They certainly are similar!,” says Mark P. Trolice, M.D., reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist at Fertility CARE, The IVF Center, and Associate Professor of Ob/Gyn at University of Central Florida College of Medicine. “A pregnancy test at the time of expected menses can make the distinction.”
- Premenstrual symptoms include mood swings, increased appetite/cravings, abdominal bloatedness, fatigue, breast tenderness, headaches, and hot flashes.
- Early pregnancy symptoms include nausea , breast tenderness, fatigue, frequent urination, mild uterine cramping, abdominal bloatedness, constipation, heartburn, food cravings, and mood changes.
Common Causes Of Missed Periods
The most common cause of a missed period is pregnancy. However, if youre not sexually active, havent had sex in a few months, or got a negative result on your pregnancy test, you already know thats not the issue.
That leads us to other possibilities. While one late or missing period isnt worth fretting about, you shouldnt let it become a common occurrence. Here are the five most common causes of irregular periods, and what you can do about them.
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Missed Periods And Pregnancy
If youve had unprotected sex, you may have missed your period because youre pregnant. You may want to rule out pregnancy first by taking a pregnancy test, or you can see if you need to take a test with our .
Keep an eye out for any early pregnancy symptoms, like:
- tender breasts
These symptoms coupled with a missed period could mean you are pregnant
What Are Fertility Awareness Methods
Fertility awareness methods are ways that people can track their monthly menstrual cycles and identify their least fertile days.
People who do not wish to become pregnant can then plan to have sex on those days. They may also wish to avoid having vaginal sex or use birth control on the days they identify as particularly fertile.
FAMs are also sometimes known as natural family planning or the rhythm method.
There are different types of FAMs that people can use to identify their most and least fertile days. Some people use just one, while others use a combination of the following.
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I Think I Am Pregnant: Now What
Do you feel as if you may be pregnant? Youâre not alone hundreds of thousands of women every day contemplate the same question.
Anytime you have unprotected sex, thereâs a chance of pregnancy. Here you will learn about pregnancy symptoms, early signs of pregnancy, and taking a pregnancy test.
Before you read, take the quiz below to see how much you know about pregnancy symptoms.
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Faint Line On Pregnancy Test
Did you see two lines on the pregnancy test, but one of them was faint? Guess what? That’s a positive result. It’s possible that your levels of hCG aren’t strong enough yet to produce a stronger colored line. If you’re concerned about it, take a second test in a few days or ask for a blood test to determine pregnancy.
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Missed Or Late Menstrual Period And Pain With Sexual Intercourse
- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Reviewed on 10/9/2020
A late or missed menstrual period is a sign of pregnancy or the menopausal transition, and a late period can also occur as a response to hormonal changes and disturbances. Painful sexual intercourse can be associated with many gynecologic infections and pelvic inflammatory disease. Many of these conditions require immediate medical treatment, so be sure to seek the advice of a physician if you are experiencing these symptoms.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet: