Have you ever realized you missed a period and had a moment of panic? We’ve all been there! Women sometimes miss their periods. It does happen from time to time. Our minds automatically go to the ‘I’m pregnant’ scenario, but that’s not always the case.
So, what do you do? You take a pregnancy test, just in case, but it’s negative. Now what? Check for other symptoms of pregnancy. Other symptoms of pregnancy include:
- Tenderness of breast
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Cramping
- Feeling tired
- Having to pee frequently
If there’s a good chance you could be pregnant, definitely go see your doctor. Just to make sure.
But what if you are not pregnant? Now what? Well, there are a lot of reasons you could have missed your period.
- Have you been under a lot of stress lately?
- Have you lost a lot of weight lately? Or possibly gained a fair bit of weight?
- Have you been working out excessively?
- Have you had a recent operation?
- Are you in your 40s? You might be starting perimenopause.
- Are you taking medication that might make you miss your period?
- Or have you taken non legal medications?
- Did you just have a baby?
- Do you have a prolonged health condition? Certain long term health conditions can affect menstrual cycles
- Do you have a physical issue with organs/pelvic area?
- Do you have disordered eating?
If you answered yes to one or more then chances are you probably have nothing to worry about. Periods do get missed from time to time. If you are concerned that you might have an underlying health issue, don’t hesitate to see you doctor.
It’s a common misconception that a missed period automatically means you are pregnant. There are many different factors why this could be taking place. It’s definitely a good idea to keep these many other scenarios in mind, before jumping to conclusions. However, taking a pregnancy test and seeing your doctor if you suspect pregnancy, is not a bad idea. Having an appointment with a physician can be reassuring.
It is very important to keep in mind that if you do not want to get pregnant, now is your time to reassess how you are currently handling your sexual health. Unexpected pregnancies do happen.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you or a friend do have an unexpected pregnancy, we are here to help! The friendly staff at the MEA Centre is fully equipped and prepared to help in just such a moment. Please call us anytime or just pop in! It would be our pleasure to help! CONTACT US
By: Julie, RN ~ Perinatal Support Manager
Resources:
Health Link BC - https://www.healthlinkbc.ca
Health Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-concerns/tobacco/...