Referral To A Consultant
If your GP thinks a medical condition might have caused your periods to stop, they may refer you to a consultant who specialises in the condition.
Depending on what your GP suspects is causing the problem, you may be referred to:
- a gynaecologist a specialist in treating conditions that affect the female reproductive system
- an endocrinologist a specialist in treating hormonal conditions
You may have a full gynaecological examination and various tests, including:
- blood tests to see whether you have abnormal levels of certain hormones
- an ultrasound scan, CT scan or MRI scan to identify any problems with your reproductive system or the pituitary gland in your brain
My Period Only Lasted Two Days What Does That Mean
I really need help and im really scared. My period only lasted two days. It was light too. What does this mean? I am sexaully active but I use protection. Im so scared. Please help!
When you first start menstruating, it may take a while for your body to get things going smoothly and regularly. Your periods may not always last the same number of days, or be the same number of days apart. You might have a light flow one month and a heavy flow the next. Your periods and cycles will probably become much more regular as you get older. Many people have irregular periods at one time or another, or even throughout their lives.
There are a lot of other reasons why your menstrual cycle might be acting funny, including illness, stress, weight changes, medicine, and travel. Learn more about your menstrual cycle and what can affect it. If you had unprotected sex since youre last period, or may have made a mistake with your birth control, pregnancy is possible.
While its not possible to get a period if youre pregnant, some light bleeding/spotting can happen. So if youre worried about pregnancy, the only way to know for sure is to take a pregnancy test. You can take a home pregnancy test, or get one from a nurse or doctor, like the ones at your local Planned Parenthood health center.
Tags:period, irregular periods, menstrual cycle
How Soon Can I Take A Pregnancy Test After A Missed Period
Some brands of home pregnancy tests claim to be able to determine whether impregnation has occurred on the day of your missed period. That being said, it is most advisable to wait around a week after your missed period before performing a home pregnancy test. This will ensure the most accurate result possible, and avoid any confusion.
Pregnancy tests look for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin , which is only produced once a fertilized egg becomes implanted within the uterine wall. On average, this happens around six days after conception, although this can vary, and can happen much later for some women.
The efficiency and reliability of a home pregnancy test depend on when you take the test, how you use the test, and the brand of test you use. As mentioned, it is best to wait six days after your missed period before performing a test, as to allow levels of HCG to rise within the body. To ensure you carry out the test properly, ensure to follow the manufacturers instructions.
Pregnancy tests are very accurate if implemented correctly and under the right conditions. Many things, including the duration of time you wait to check the results, can lead to an error. For further clarification, pay a visit to your doctor and ask for a blood test. This remains the best way to check for impregnation.
Watch the video below to learn more on pregnancy test:
What Other People Say About Home Tests:
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Extreme Over Exercising And Period Loss
physical activity places stress on your body which in turn can affect the hormones responsible for our periods. Getting technical here, exercise can decrease GnRH, leading to low levels of FSH, LS and estrogen. The result is a change in menstruation. Amenorrhea is very common among active menstruating individuals. In fact, athletes are three times more likely to develop amenorrhea than non-athletes. If you are a heavy exerciser and you lose your period, it may be advised to reduce exercise intensity and to see a doctor to find out if theres something else at play.
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How To Know If Your Period Is Late
It can be hard to know if your period is late, if you donât know your average cycle length or when your last period was. With Clue you can view your recent period dates, cycle averages and predictions for your next three cycles. You can set a reminder to let you know when your period is coming, and to alert you if itâs late.
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Youve Upped Your Workout Intensity
A strenuous exercise regimen can also cause missed periods. This is most common in those who train for several hours a day. It happens because, whether intentionally or not, youre burning way more calories than youre taking in.
When you burn too many calories, your body doesnt have enough energy to keep all its systems running. This can lead to a hormonal imbalance that throws off your menstrual cycle, leading to missed or late periods.
Periods typically go back to normal as soon as you lessen training intensity or increase your caloric intake.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a set of symptoms caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones. People with PCOS dont ovulate regularly. As a result, your periods may be lighter than normal, arrive at inconsistent times, or disappear altogether.
Other PCOS symptoms can include:
- excess or course facial and body hair
- acne on the face and body
- thinning hair
- weight gain or trouble losing weight
- dark patches of skin, often on the neck creases, groin, and underneath breasts
- skin tags in the armpits or neck
When Is It Too Early To Test
It depends on the test. Some tests are sensitive enough to detect hCG in your urine six days before your missed period . Read the instructions on the pack to understand what the brand of test youre using means by early detection. Some women still prefer to test on the day they expect their period, when all home pregnancy tests claim to be over 99% accurate.
Conception usually happens around two weeks before your period would normally be expected. If youre trying for a baby you can use an ovulation test not only to know your peak fertile days, but it will inform you about your cycle, so you know when its best to take the test. This can help you feel more confident in the results you see.
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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.
What Are Irregular Periods
Even though girls get their periods on a cycle, that cycle can take different amounts of time each month. For example, a girl might get her period after 24 days one month and after 42 days the next. These are called irregular periods.
Irregular periods are very common, especially in a girl’s first few years of getting her period.
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When To See Your Gp
See your GP if you’re not pregnant you’ve had a negative pregnancy test and you’ve missed more than 3 periods in a row.
If you’re sexually active and you have not taken a pregnancy test, your GP may advise you to take one.
They may also ask you about:
- your medical history
- any emotional issues you’re having
- any recent changes in your weight
- the amount of exercise you do
Your GP may recommend waiting to see whether your periods return on their own. In some cases you may need treatment for your periods to return.
You should also see your GP if your periods stop before you’re 45 or if you’re still bleeding when you’re over 55.
Can I Bleed During Pregnancy
Even though your periods stop, you can still experience bleeding during pregnancy. This happens in almost 1 in 4 women for different reasons. Many women who bleed during pregnancy go on to deliver a healthy baby. However, you should immediately contact your doctor or midwife if you notice bleeding from your vagina at any time during your pregnancy.
In the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the fertilised egg planting itself in your womb may cause bleeding. This is known as implantation bleeding. It normally only lasts for a few days. However, bleeding during early pregnancy could signal that the fertilised egg has planted itself outside the womb this is called an ectopic pregnancy. It could also signal a miscarriage.
In the later stages of pregnancy, vaginal bleeding can have many different causes.
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A Late Period Doesnt Necessarily Mean Youre Pregnant
Theory dictates that a womans menstrual cycle lasts 28 days and that thats the time that should pass between periods. However, the human body isnt a robot nor a clock, so women can get their period sooner or later than that.
Our bodys functioning is linked to several systems, which work together like a well-oiled machine. Therefore, the immune, metabolic, circulatory, hormonal, and neuroendocrine systems must be in perfect condition for the menstrual cycle to last exactly four weeks.
If you dont get your period on time, you may feel worried, or even excited that you might be pregnant. Pregnancy is the most known cause of late periods, but it isnt the only one. Other factors may also affect timing.
See also: Why Did I Get Two Menstrual Periods in One Month?
Should I Be Worried If My Period Is 2 Days Late
Can I be pregnant if my period is 2 days late?
It is normal to occasionally experience a period that is a few days late. However, a missed period is when the cycle completely changes. A missed period may be a sign of pregnancy or another underlying cause. Early signs of pregnancy can be easy to miss, especially if the person has not been pregnant before.
Is 3 days late too early to test?
The best time to take a pregnancy test is after your period is late. If you don’t want to wait until you’ve missed your period, you should wait for at least one to two weeks after you had sex. If you are pregnant, your body needs time to develop detectable levels of hCG.
How late can a period be without being pregnant?
A late period is when a woman’s menstrual cycle doesn’t start as expected, with a normal cycle lasting between 24 to 38 days. When a woman’s period is seven days late she may be pregnant although other things may cause a late or skipped period.
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Stress And Eating Disorders
Stress and eating disorders can affect hormones that control your period. The hypothalamus regulates LH and FSH that is secreted by the pituitary gland.
Both hormones LH and FSH, regulates your ovulation and period.
If youve had demanding weeks and sleepless nights with 5 days late period, then reducing your stress level and engaging in regular exercise with help.
The Likeliest Cause: Ovulation
You ovulate about day 14 of your cycle. For many women, the day around ovulation goes completely unnoticed. But for some, ovulation is an event they may feel and notice other symptoms around. Those symptoms can include light spotting.
During reproductive ages, the ovary releases an egg every month. This event occurs when the ovary follicles rupture and release the oocyte which travels to the fallopian tube and becomes an ovum or egg. The rupture of the ovary follicles can cause some light spotting and some women can even feel it happen.
That feeling usually manifests as a slight twinge or pain on one side of your abdomen. This pain is called Mittelschmerz. It translates literally as middle pain. Its the name for the slight twinge or cramp that some women experience when the follicle releases the egg.
Learn more about what happens when you ovulate.
The best way to understand whether your bleeding corresponds with ovulation is to track your cycle using an app or diary. If youre experiencing bleeding that does not coincide with ovulation, there are many other possible causes.
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Think Back To Your Last Period
If you use a period tracker, check when exactly you last had your period. If you dont use one, check out some good options here. If your period is a few days late, its not yet time to ring the alarm. Even if its almost two weeks late, it could just be a long menstrual cycle. Its good to stay on top of your cycle, even if your period is irregular, as it can be reassuring to realize youre not as late as you thought. Knowledge is power, and the best thing to do to remain calm is track your period.