What are the causes of menstrual delay, and how can it be distinguished from spotting during pregnancy?

Question

Hello doctor,

My girlfriend and I were fooling around two months ago, but there was no penetration. We only engaged in touching the head of the penis and the vagina. Later that month, she was supposed to get her period, which was on the last week of the month, but it did not come. However, she got her period the following month, a week later. We also confirmed that it was a normal period and not spotting. We did a home pregnancy test (HPT), and it was negative. The following month, on the same date, she got her period again. Just to be more sure, we did another HPT, and it was negative as well. Additionally, she has not experienced any signs of pregnancy. We suspect that the delayed period may have been influenced by the physical and emotional stress associated with our recent move from one apartment to another, which occurred two months ago. Kindly advise on the possibility of her being pregnant.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

We welcome you to icliniq family.

I appreciate the confidence you place in me for your healthcare consultation. I understand your concern. As she has had periods, she has no chance of pregnancy. There can be many other reasons for the delay in periods. If it was due to pregnancy, the urine test would have tested positive the day after the missed period. Other causes for a delayed or missed period include

Sudden increase or decrease in weight. I suggest you calculate her body mass index (BMI) according to the formula which you can easily find online. Check the normal range and see if it falls within it. Any excess weight can lead to hormonal imbalances and disrupt ovulation.
Abnormalities in thyroid and prolactin hormones.
Significant mental or physical stress. This can include severe depression, anxiety, happiness, or anything that disturbs the peace of mind. Even anxiety about the possibility of getting pregnant after sex.
Recent use of hormones to manipulate the menstrual cycle.

I would suggest using cyclical oral birth control pills for as many years as desired if sex is going to be frequent. For infrequent sexual activity, using condoms can be a good option. These methods can help avoid moments of anxiety. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with them, and take the medicines with their consent.

I hope I have clarified your query. Please feel free to reach me again, in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

That difference can only be determined by the lady herself. It is based on the number of pads used. During a period, the blood is typically red or dark red with clots, lasting usually four to seven days, and it will fully stain a pad. The flow gradually increases, then decreases. There may be mild to moderate lower abdominal discomfort or pain. On the other hand, spotting usually consists of bright red and minimal blood that will not fully stain a pad. It is typically painless and lasts for a few days, gradually turning dark red or brownish.

Hope I have helped you. Thank you.

What are the causes of menstrual delay, and how can it be distinguished from spotting during pregnancy?

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