Irregular Cycles And Amenorrhea
Pregnancy isn’t the only reason you might not get your period for an extended length of time. While most people experience menstruation on a fairly regular schedule, for some, irregular timing is the norm. This can make it hard to know when a period is actually late. You might also miss a period altogether .
How Long Does The Morning After Pill Typically Delay Your Period
Typically the morning after pill will delay your period by a day or two, however, it can be up to one week, says Julia.
We know theres a lot riding on this one small pill and youre probably feeling anxious if your period is late. There are a number of reasons this could be and it doesnt necessarily mean anything as your menstrual cycle can vary from month or month.
We would, however, always advise that you speak to a healthcare professional like a pharmacist or a GP if youre worried about anything, even if its just to put your mind at ease.
If your period is delayed for more than 7 days or is unusual in any way then you should seek medical advice from your healthcare provider.
Myth #: I Got A Light Period So Im Confident Im Not Pregnant
A minor amount of bleeding may indeed be a light period. But it could also be a sign of early pregnancy.
Thats because when a fertilized egg implants into your uterus, in one of the earliest stages of pregnancy, it can cause a small amount of blood to be released . According to the National Institutes of Health, spotting in pregnancy typically starts about 6 to 12 days after you conceive.
If youre considering taking emergency contraception, waiting for any bleeding is never a good idea, because it always occurs outside of the effectiveness window for the pill.
Do note that after you take emergency contraception, your next period might be the same as usual, but it could also be a little different, coming a bit earlier or later, or flowing heavier or lighter.
Read Also: Can You Get Pregnant Before Your Period
What Can I Do If I Think Im Pregnant
Okay, almost every person who can become pregnant has been faced with a pregnancy scare at one time or another. Whether you are feeling mild anxiety or are in a complete meltdown, there are some simple facts that might be helpful. Each situation is different, but we will try to help here.
If you have had unprotected sex within the last 5 days and do not want to be pregnant, you may want to try emergency contraception . You can get over-the-counter emergency contraception at most drug and grocery stores without a prescription in every US state. Brand names like PLAN B work no better than the many generics out there, so cheaper versions are fine. One consideration, if you have a BMI of 30 or more, or weigh more than 165 pounds, this option may not be effective for you. ELLA is a prescription brand of EC that is not impacted by body size. Another option is going to a clinic for the insertion of a Paragard IUD. These are all options to prevent pregnancy even after unprotected sex.
What If Its Been Longer Than Expected And Still No Period
Its normal for Plan B to affect the timing of your period. But if its a week later than usual or still hasnt arrived within 3 weeks of taking Plan B, theres a possibility that youre pregnant.
EC pills containing levonorgestrel can reduce the chance of pregnancy by 95 percent if taken within 24 hours of sex. This lowers to 88 percent if the pill is taken between 24 and 72 hours after sex.
If youre unsure whether Plan B has worked, take a pregnancy test.
Take one straight away if you keep track of your cycle and know that your period is at least a week late.
But if youre not sure where you are in your menstrual cycle, wait 3 weeks after taking Plan B before using a pregnancy test.
Pregnancy tests detect a specific type of hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin , which is only produced a few days after conception. So taking one too early can produce a false result.
If your test comes back negative, wait a couple more weeks to see if your period arrives.
If it doesnt, take another pregnancy test and visit a doctor for advice on delayed periods if the result comes back negative once again.
If the result is positive, book a doctors appointment. Theyll be able to confirm your pregnancy and talk you through all the available options, including both medical and surgical abortions.
Read Also: How To Get Period Stains Out Of Mattress
How To Improve Menstrual Regularity
Increased stress, along with diet and exercise changes, can affect your menstrual period. If you experience irregular periods and you have PCOS, chances are it is because of a hormone imbalance.
The best ways to achieve a regular menstrual period if you have PCOS include:
- Follow a healthy diet. Enjoy a diet that is rich in antioxidants and healthy fats as well as low in processed or sugary foods.
- Exercise regularly. One study found that sedentary women with PCOS who exercised for 30 minutes on three days a week ovulated more regularly.
- Take supplements. Supplements that have been shown to improve menstrual regularity and ovulation in women with PCOS include n-acetylcysteine, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and a combination of myo and d-chiro inositol.
Wait Until At Least 24 Hours After Your Period Should Have Started
While some tests that claim to work days before your period is even due, a test cant force your body into making hCG, and it doesnt know when you ovulated.
If you decide to try those early detection tests, be prepared for a potential false negative. If you get one, relax until at least a day after your period shouldve started. I know waiting is the hardest part, but it will save you time, money, and your sanity.
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Myth #: Im Worried Emergency Contraception Might Have Side Effects So Ill Just Cross My Fingers And Hope For The Best
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, emergency contraception is very safe. There have been no reports of serious problems in all of the people who have taken it over the years.
Some women do get a headache or feel nauseated after taking the pill, while a small number might also get tired or dizzy, or experience breast tenderness or abdominal pain. All of these side effects resolve themselves in a short while.
A few medicines do interfere with levonorgestrel emergency contraception and make it less effective, Planned Parenthood points out. These include the antibioticrifampin , certain HIV or anti-seizure medicines, and the herb St. Johns wort. If youre taking any of these and need emergency contraception, talk to your healthcare provider.
How Likely Is It Youll Get Pregnant After Taking Plan B
According to a 2010 study of women who took Plan B after having unprotected sex, its over 97% effective if you take it within 72 hours of having sex.1 The Plan B packaging itself says its 95% effective within 24 hours.2 That effectiveness drops the longer you wait. Plan Bs maker estimates that its only 61% effective 48 to 72 hours after sex, and even less so after that.2
The effectiveness of Plan B also seems to decrease as body mass index gets higher. For many people, the subject of BMI can be uncomfortable to downright controversial, since it rates your health based on your ratio of height to weight. Still, its a metric that drug makers use when theres reason to believe a drug is less effective for people who are overweight or obese.
Plan B is reportedly most effective for people with a BMI of 25 or lower.3 If youre 54 , thats 145 pounds or less.4 And its considered not effective for anyone with a BMI over 303 54 and over 175 lbs.
If your BMI is between 30 and 35, the emergency contraceptive Ella is a better bet if its over 35, a copper IUD may be best. Talk to your doctor if youre unsure which is right for you.
Because your fertility changes with your cycle, you might consider different emergency contraceptive options at different times of the month.
Also Check: I Know I Ovulated But My Period Is Late
Long Term Or Extreme Stress
Whether long-term or extreme, stress can disrupt the region of the brain that regulates reproductive hormones. Ovulation and periods may halt as a result of this.
It might throw your entire cycle off if you have too much stress or illness right before ovulation. If youre nursing and your cycle has just begun again, you should expect irregular periods for a while your body adjusts. It might be tough to tell when your menstruation is late because of this.
When the source of the stress is removed, or the person learns coping techniques to deal with it, the persons normal cycle may resume.
What If You Find Out You Are Pregnant
If your home pregnancy test is positive, you may know right away what option is best for you. But if you dont, thats ok. Some people need to take more time to carefully weigh their options of abortion, adoption, or parenting a child. If you find you need to talk more about your options, there are several nonjudgmental resources but we recommend All Options, an organization dedicated to peer counseling and support. If you are considering abortion, please be aware of the laws in your state, so you know of any limitations on how long you may have to choose an abortion. This varies widely across the US and from state-to-state. For more legal support options to you can reach out to or If/When/How.
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Causes Of Missed Period
Ovulation is a process in which the ovaries release an egg every 28 days. A persons menstruation will normally begin 14 days after no sperm fertilises the egg. Most women, normally, get their period every 28 days or so, although its not uncommon to have a cycle that is somewhat from 21 to 40 days shorter or longer.
Some women may not have a consistent menstrual cycle. Their period may arrive late or early, and the length of time it lasts and the amount of blood it contains may fluctuate from one period to another.
There are other factors closely associated with missed period. Take a look at them:
When Should You Do A Pregnancy Test After Taking The Morning After Pill
Taking a pregnancy test is the only way to know for sure whether or not you are pregnant. You can carry out most home pregnancy tests from the first day of your missed period, says Deborah. If you dont know when your next period is due, you should do the test at least 21 days after you last had unprotected sex.
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I Missed My Period And I Dont Want To Be Pregnant
Ok, we can help. First and foremost, take a deep breath and know you are not alone. Abortion is a common thing that 1 in 4 people who can get pregnant will experience in their reproductive lifetime. Its a good idea to get as much information as soon as possible about your options. Reviewing our website or calling carafem is a great place to start.
Our staff will often start the call or ask online if you know the day your last period started. This is how we can date how far along you are in your pregnancy so we can provide you with abortion options specific to your needs. You can also access our website for information about choosing the abortion pill vs. an in-office abortion procedure.
Can I Do The Test Wrong
Its important you read the instructions that come with your test carefully and follow them. This way you can be sure you can trust the result. Some tests are easier to read than others for a test that gives a result in words such as pregnant or not pregnant, is clear whereas visual tests where you have to interpret lines can be harder to read and can leave you wondering whether youre pregnant or not. If you doubt youre reading the result correctly and the uncertainty makes you feel anxious, then get a test that is easy to read, like the , so you can be sure of the result you see.
You can see what a negative pregnancy test result looks like in our infographic below.
Recommended Reading: When You First Get Your Period
Late Period Neg Pregnancy Test Plan B
sopranoborikua7746559 over a year ago
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mallory41888 over a year ago
Guest over a year ago
Plan B can do all sorts of things to your menstrual cycle, and even after plan B, it should be that if you are actually pregnant, the pregnancy test comes back positive as it normally should. Basically, late period, negative pregnancy test nearly always means you’re not pregnant because those things are pretty reliable. Still, if you are not sure, you can keep on testing periodically. Or even better, swing by your local Planned Parenthood and get checked out medically, plus the help you need if it does happen you are pregnant. The sooner you get this figured out, the sooner you’ll be able to leave this behind.
Guest over a year ago
over a year ago
hotstuffsunny over a year ago
SummerGirl over a year ago
Guest over a year ago
Stichards822 over a year ago
over a year ago
I’m pretty much in the same boat. My period is always on time. My last period started 11/5, had sex on 11/6, took plan B on 11/7. Needless to say my period ended 11/6. I expected my period on 12/3, no period, I waited four days, 12/7 and took a pregnancy test it was negative. I’ve promised my ex boyfriend that I’d take another in a week but I’m still expecting it to be negative. From what I’ve read, if you took plan B after your last period then it will skip a month and began the next month on time. I have a 28 day cycle, so I’m hoping it will begin 1/1.
Period 4 Days Late With A Negative Pregnancy Test
My menstrual cycle is 4 days late. I have been having a lot of backache and abdomen pain. I have been under a lot of stress lately, especially wondering if Im pregnant. So I purchased an EPT pregnancy test. Within 1 minute it showed 1 line which means you are not pregnant. Do you think this is precise? I also have been taking Fema Fresh, a feminine capsule, that helps females feel fresh and a few times I have used the Norforms feminine deodorant suppositories. Can these products affect my cycle as well as stress? Andrea
Andrea,
I dont believe Fema Fresh or Norforms Suppositories would affect your cycle. Too much stress definitely can. However, dont base everything on one urine pregnancy test, especially one taken only 4 days after your period was late. Though EPT pregnancy tests are known for being accurate and can be taken the day you expect your period, I would still recommend you take the pregnancy test again. The amount of the pregnancy hormone hCG, which is what makes urine pregnancy tests work, can vary based on the individual. After having your period late for one week, Id recommend repeating the test in the morning when your hCG levels would be highest.
If the results are still negative, set up an appointment with your family doctor and see if something else is causing the backaches and abdominal pain. There very well may be something else which is causing an adverse reaction in your body.
Best of luck,
Read Also: When Does Ovulation Start After Period
It Can Be A Long Wait
If youre reading this article, odds are youve taken a morning-after pill and are anxious to learn if youre pregnant. Know that many people have been in your position before you, and understand how you feel. Its normal to feel worried. Try to take care of yourself, and talk to your doctor if you want more information or more help.
Remember: If you took Plan B on time, and are within its recommended weight range, its very effective. Its also worth noting that if you take plan B and still get pregnant, it wont terminate the pregnancy, and it wont harm you or the fetus.15
And remember, emergency contraceptives should only be used in emergencies. If youre sexually active and dont want to get pregnant, we strongly recommend finding a highly effective thats right for you. Uncertainty is stressful, and a highly effective birth control can mean peace of mind no matter what happens.
References
Medications Or Drugs And Smoking
Any medicines or drugs that are not prescribed by a doctor can also cause late period negative pregnancy test. Smoking is a cause of infertility in women. Taking drugs and other illegal stimulants is a reason for late period negative pregnancy test.
Drugs make conceiving hard. Even if you get pregnant, the drugs can damage your pregnancy.
Read Also: When Is A Woman’s Ovulation Period
Where Can I Get The Morning After Pill
You can get the morning after pill from a pharmacy, a GP, a sexual health clinic or you can buy it online. A healthcare professional will need to ask you a few questions about when the unprotected sex took place, and your medical history, just to check that this medicine is suitable for you.
Want to find out more about how to buy ellaOne, the most effective morning after pill?* You can find everything you need to know about buying ellaOne online or in a pharmacy here.
*Verify at ellaone.co.uk/verify