May 24, 2012
Parenting & Pregnancy Missed Period Late Period: Pregnancy and Other Common Causes
Late Period: Pregnancy and Other Common Causes |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: My girlfriend's period is 12 days late and we are both worried about it as we are young (18 and 19) and don't want to have a baby just yet. We have been having regular sex and used a condom every time being as careful as possible. We havne't done a pregnancy test yet. should we? could she be pregnant? if not what could cause her late period? Yes, she should take a pregnancy test. The first condition that should be ruled out in amenorrhea (absence of menstrual period) is pregnancy. Like you said, you have been using condoms. I presume your girlfriend is not using another form of contraception (pill or patch). Condoms are only ~98% effective which means there is a ~2% chance (NOT ZERO) of conceiving. Extra thin condoms are also easy to break, which decreases its effectivity against conception. If your girlfriend is 12 days late, she should be ~6 weeks from her last menstrual period (first day of last period). Now would be the best time to have a pregnancy test. It is better to do it in the morning (first morning urine upon waking up) since it is more concentrated. Other common causes of late periods are stress (physical, emotional, etc.) and hormone abnormalities (thyroid or reproductive hormone dysfunction) but other symptoms may be present as well. In this case, pregnancy is very high in the list of conditions being considered. I wish you well always. Take care. . |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 27 April 2011 ) |
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