What could cause delayed periods despite protected sex?

Question

Hello doctor,

Although we take precautions (using two condoms at a time), there is always a sense of fear when it comes to her. Each time she gets her period, it is delayed by at least 2 weeks (10 days) and has less discharge in terms of flow. Last time she had a normal flow (6 days) according to her but had a little abdominal pain, with watering mouth and a bit of headache. May I know the cause of her periods getting delayed and a reduced discharge, because it creates an impression as if it is implantation bleeding, and leading to pregnancy? Request your understanding of how things work, as it creates daily confusion and stress. Also, does she require a personal doctor inspection? She is 25 years old.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

No, there is no need for inspection. You can go for pregnancy tests with home testing kits. This change in periods (duration and flow) is normal for her as she is sexually active, and there are emotional and hormonal changes that cause all of this. If there is no flow, excess flow, missing periods, unbearable and sustained pain in her abdomen, back, and thighs, then there is a need for a visit for a checkup.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Well, after reviewing the query you raised, here are the elaborated and personalized answers.

One thing about the periods and their cyclic timings is: The first day of the cycle is considered to be the first day of bleeding in the last menstrual period. A delay of up to 10 days is not bothersome, but more than that really is. Taking her dates into account of 20th, her month completes on the 20th of next month. A delay of up to 10 days makes it 30th for the wait time and expected span of start of periods. Occasional delay is fine, but a more frequent one is bothersome. Discharge if scanty is not a major issue if it is the same forever. But a recent decrease or increase in discharge is something warranting a doctor visit.

Coitus interruptus is one of the least reliable methods of contraception in which the male ejaculates outside. This method has huge failure rates and is not usually. You need barrier contraception, and you mentioned earlier that you do it.

Headache and excessive mouth watering do not seem to be related. It may be due to some medications (if she is taking any), weather changes, food, or oral hygiene-related issues.

Other causes of excess production of saliva and over-stimulated salivary glands may be:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease in which stomach acid is overproduced or when there is a lack of mechanisms to keep the acid confined to the stomach cavity. The result is regurgitation of stomach acid into the food pipe and the mouth. Some patients also feel heartburn in the center of the chest, pain in the right side below the chest, or in the center of the abdomen. Does she feel any of the symptoms related to the digestive system other than watering of the mouth? Better take her to a lab for vitamin B3, B12, and vitamin D levels. Thyroid function tests and complete blood counts for my review to cover all the aspects of her disease events. Thyroid disease is also a cause of changes in period patterns.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.