Grab a test! (For anyone wondering if they're pregnant)

stormymoose8 said:You might experience pregnancy symptoms like sore or swollen breasts, being extra sensitive to smells, nausea, mood swings, possible twinges in your ovaries, needing to pee more often, dizziness, or feeling tired and having a faster heart rate. Everyone is different, so you don't necessarily have to feel all of them, but you might.
It sounds like your cycle isn't perfectly regular, so it's not unusual for your period to be late.
Look, like the title suggests, if you're worried, just go grab a pregnancy test (you should already have one from $10, which would show a result if this is the same situation, though I honestly doubt it) or just make an appointment with your doctor.
In my opinion, the chances of you being pregnant are pretty slim.
Good luck, I hope everything turns out exactly how you want it to. 👍

Well, I was just at the doctor's two weeks ago for a checkup because I wanted to start birth control, and everything seemed fine then—bloodwork was clear and the exam was normal. I haven't started the pills yet, but I'm starting to think a standard blood test or a basic exam wouldn't even catch a pregnancy... my periods are always irregular, but I'm still terrified because even though I had what felt like a normal flow after we had sex, I can't stop worrying that it wasn't actually my period... I'll pick up a test tomorrow, but honestly, I'm scared of whatever the result might be, especially since I've always been a bit paranoid about my health...

I should probably mention that my leakage has been way more intense lately, which is totally unlike me... I don't think it's ever been this heavy before

Started taking Duphaston to finally kickstart my period. On day three now and absolutely nothing. Zero. Feels like I’m just gonna skip another month and then it'll finally hit, but I'm already 23 days late. The plan is ten days of pills then a break, but I haven't even felt those usual pre-period symptoms yet. Honestly? I feel like I actually ovulated twice during this crazy long cycle because I had that sharp ovarian twinge and that stretchy discharge a couple times. Everything is possible with a cycle this wonky, but even if I did ovulate twice, I'm still skeptical about being pregnant this time. Looking back at when I first got pregnant—that was 6 years ago—my last period was October 16th and I conceived on November 24th. Back then, I was already about 7 or 8 days late. So yeah, with my weird cycle, anything could be happening.
Maybe I'm rambling, but here's my logic: if my cycle is super long and irregular, ovulation usually happens mid-cycle. But since mine is all over the place, I have no clue when "mid-cycle" actually is. So I'm thinking maybe my actual mid-cycle is right around when I'm supposed to get my period according to the calendar... 🤷
My OBGYN probably could've explained this, but they didn't say anything except to take these hormone pills twice a day to get things moving.

I’m not exactly an expert on all this medical stuff, so I’m hoping someone here might be able to shed some light on my question. My friend just picked up a pregnancy test from CVS, and she’s wondering if it’s actually okay to take it this afternoon. The instructions suggest waiting until first thing in the morning for the most accurate results, but she really isn't in a position to wait until tomorrow. Her last period started back on October 5th, and her cycle is usually pretty regular—somewhere between 26 and 28 days—though it did stretch out to 32 days once a while back. Honestly, we’re both feeling a little bit anxious about the whole thing...

Hannah Roberts86 said:Alright, here's the lowdown on my OBGYN visit... went in yesterday since my period is super late. It's been over 22 days now, so I was totally hoping I finally knockeded it up. We've been trying for like 4 or 5 months straight with zero luck, and sadly, this month was another bust. I'm pretty sure we timed it perfectly last month—hit it right on ovulation day or maybe just a day before or after—and since I know sperm can hang around for a couple of days, I thought for sure it would work. But nope. My doctor mentioned my left ovary looks a bit polycystic, which basically means getting pregnant might be an uphill battle. He tried to play it cool though, saying nothing is set in stone and some women barely even have periods and still conceive. Still, I'm freaking out because I want that positive test so bad and it’s just not happening...
Maybe I just need to chill and stop obsessing. Anyway, my doctor put me on Duphaston to get my period started, so I started taking those today. I'm already on day 52 of my cycle. Got one more question, might sound dumb but whatever. :About a week ago, I noticed that stretchy discharge and my ovaries were actually aching . Is it possible my ovulation was just that delayed? Like, 15 days after my period was supposed to show up? And can you actually get pregnant after your period was already overdue? I don't have any symptoms that my period is coming soon either. I'm totally lost... the doctor says everything looks fine on the ultrasound, except for those cysts. 😕
😢

👋 so let me tell you about my own experience dealing with PCOS... when I was 20, I went to see a private OBGYN... she told me I had PCOS, specifically having extra cysts on my right ovary... she advised me that if I wanted kids, I should start trying as soon as possible, both because of age and because of how things work... the way she explained it was that the embryo usually... well, pushes a cyst out, like the cyst ruptures. She also said the opposite could happen where a huge cyst might push the embryo out, but if they're too big, they suggest draining them. She also mentioned that as long as my cycles are regular—like every 28 days—and I'm ovulating regularly, there's no need for drainage, but once I decide to try for a baby, I definitely need to come back to them for "planning"... basically, they calculate the most fertile days, hours, minutes, all that stuff...
...anyway, we weren't ready for kids back then. This summer, five years after that diagnosis, we decided we were ready to give it a shot and just see what happens... so I calculated my most fertile day... my period was about a week late, and since we were down at the coast at the beach, I just figured it was the change in weather or something... even though my husband kept insisting I was pregnant... I bought a test and it was positive! At my follow-up, two or three weeks later, the doctor confirmed it. She looked at me in total shock because I managed to get pregnant on the first try without any of their "planning" help! Now I'm 20 weeks along... I still have cysts, but they've shrunk down quite a bit. It turns out we aren't all the same, and I really, truly hope you get that positive result soon. 😉

Zachary Thomas12 said:I’m not exactly an expert on all this medical stuff, so I’m hoping someone here might be able to shed some light on my question. My friend just picked up a pregnancy test from CVS, and she’s wondering if it’s actually okay to take it this afternoon. The instructions suggest waiting until first thing in the morning for the most accurate results, but she really isn't in a position to wait until tomorrow. Her last period started back on October 5th, and her cycle is usually pretty regular—somewhere between 26 and 28 days—though it did stretch out to 32 days once a while back. Honestly, we’re both feeling a little bit anxious about the whole thing...

It looks like you didn't get an answer the day you posted, so I assume your friend probably already took the test by now.
Anyway, I figured I'd share my own experience. Personally, I almost always ended up taking a test in the afternoon, but I wouldn't just go out and chug water to make it happen—I'd wait until I actually felt the urge to go, and in my case, the results were always accurate. That goes for both negative and positive results, too. I used to buy Victoria's Secret or Mini Cooper tests, and while both instructions suggest using the first morning urine, it's not like it's a strict rule.

Guess it's my turn to check in. My period is already three days late, which is weird because I took a test yesterday afternoon and it was negative. Still nothing happening, though—just this intense ovarian pain whenever my feet get cold (I know, totally random, right?). No other symptoms besides this heavy, thick white discharge that feels like ovulation, but way more intense. Everything is usually so regular on day 28, so I'm honestly just a little lost here.

Noah Ramirez7 said:👋 so let me tell you about my own experience dealing with PCOS... when I was 20, I went to see a private OBGYN... she told me I had PCOS, specifically having extra cysts on my right ovary... she advised me that if I wanted kids, I should start trying as soon as possible, both because of age and because of how things work... the way she explained it was that the embryo usually... well, pushes a cyst out, like the cyst ruptures. She also said the opposite could happen where a huge cyst might push the embryo out, but if they're too big, they suggest draining them. She also mentioned that as long as my cycles are regular—like every 28 days—and I'm ovulating regularly, there's no need for drainage, but once I decide to try for a baby, I definitely need to come back to them for "planning"... basically, they calculate the most fertile days, hours, minutes, all that stuff...
...anyway, we weren't ready for kids back then. This summer, five years after that diagnosis, we decided we were ready to give it a shot and just see what happens... so I calculated my most fertile day... my period was about a week late, and since we were down at the coast at the beach, I just figured it was the change in weather or something... even though my husband kept insisting I was pregnant... I bought a test and it was positive! At my follow-up, two or three weeks later, the doctor confirmed it. She looked at me in total shock because I managed to get pregnant on the first try without any of their "planning" help! Now I'm 20 weeks along... I still have cysts, but they've shrunk down quite a bit. It turns out we aren't all the same, and I really, truly hope you get that positive result soon. 😉

see... but did you still have a period every 28 days and a regular cycle despite the PCOS?? or did I miss that? if your cycle was steady, that’s a massive win + it makes finding fertile days way easier. but how am I supposed to track mine?? (mine jumps from 35 to 38 to 40 to 50 to 60 days... totally random every month). sure, I feel the ovulation pain and the discharge, but what's the point if it doesn't stick?? how long are the fertile days even? what's the actual peak window? how am I supposed to know the exact moment it could happen??
my doctor says I've got cysts mostly on the left ovary while the right one is doing okay... man, if only that right one would just do its job.😛
I've just got tiny follicles, not huge cysts, so draining them seems pointless... at least that's how it looks to me, but nobody ever even brought it up.

Hannah Roberts86 said:see... but did you still have a period every 28 days and a regular cycle despite the PCOS?? or did I miss that? if your cycle was steady, that’s a massive win + it makes finding fertile days way easier. but how am I supposed to track mine?? (mine jumps from 35 to 38 to 40 to 50 to 60 days... totally random every month). sure, I feel the ovulation pain and the discharge, but what's the point if it doesn't stick?? how long are the fertile days even? what's the actual peak window? how am I supposed to know the exact moment it could happen??
my doctor says I've got cysts mostly on the left ovary while the right one is doing okay... man, if only that right one would just do its job.😛
I've just got tiny follicles, not huge cysts, so draining them seems pointless... at least that's how it looks to me, but nobody ever even brought it up.

..you hit the nail on the head, I really did have a regular period despite the cysts... my left ovary is totally fine but the right one is where the cysts are living... I honestly have no clue why nobody mentioned egg retrieval to you, because even my hairstylist went through the retrieval process, though I don't know if she had big cysts or small ones... she doesn't have kids yet either, and her doctor told her the best bet would be to get pregnant so those cysts would just disappear completely... but since she doesn't even have a boyfriend, that's not happening... usually, fertile days start about 10 days after your period ends and they last for maybe 5 or 6 days... let's say your period starts today, November 15th, and lasts for 4 or 5 days, then your fertile window would kick in around November 24th and the most fertile day would be November 27th... now, I seriously have no idea how to calculate anything when my period is this irregular, but you should probably try starting from that 10-day mark. 🤷 I don't know, have you tried tracking your basal body temperature? I haven't personally tried it, but I've heard girls do that... apparently, you use a digital thermometer under your tongue... there's probably a thread about it somewhere on this forum if you want to look... 😉 and there's one more thing I'm confused about... they told me I'd have trouble conceiving and that I should go in for formal preconception planning... did anyone ever mention that to you? I'm assuming they must have some specific method or protocol for that. 🤷

Hannah Roberts86 said:Started taking Duphaston to finally kickstart my period. On day three now and absolutely nothing. Zero. Feels like I’m just gonna skip another month and then it'll finally hit, but I'm already 23 days late. The plan is ten days of pills then a break, but I haven't even felt those usual pre-period symptoms yet. Honestly? I feel like I actually ovulated twice during this crazy long cycle because I had that sharp ovarian twinge and that stretchy discharge a couple times. Everything is possible with a cycle this wonky, but even if I did ovulate twice, I'm still skeptical about being pregnant this time. Looking back at when I first got pregnant—that was 6 years ago—my last period was October 16th and I conceived on November 24th. Back then, I was already about 7 or 8 days late. So yeah, with my weird cycle, anything could be happening.
Maybe I'm rambling, but here's my logic: if my cycle is super long and irregular, ovulation usually happens mid-cycle. But since mine is all over the place, I have no clue when "mid-cycle" actually is. So I'm thinking maybe my actual mid-cycle is right around when I'm supposed to get my period according to the calendar... 🤷
My OBGYN probably could've explained this, but they didn't say anything except to take these hormone pills twice a day to get things moving.

You take the Duphaston twice a day for ten days. Once you finish that course, your period should show up within a few days.

Noah Ramirez7 said:..you hit the nail on the head, I really did have a regular period despite the cysts... my left ovary is totally fine but the right one is where the cysts are living... I honestly have no clue why nobody mentioned egg retrieval to you, because even my hairstylist went through the retrieval process, though I don't know if she had big cysts or small ones... she doesn't have kids yet either, and her doctor told her the best bet would be to get pregnant so those cysts would just disappear completely... but since she doesn't even have a boyfriend, that's not happening... usually, fertile days start about 10 days after your period ends and they last for maybe 5 or 6 days... let's say your period starts today, November 15th, and lasts for 4 or 5 days, then your fertile window would kick in around November 24th and the most fertile day would be November 27th... now, I seriously have no idea how to calculate anything when my period is this irregular, but you should probably try starting from that 10-day mark. 🤷 I don't know, have you tried tracking your basal body temperature? I haven't personally tried it, but I've heard girls do that... apparently, you use a digital thermometer under your tongue... there's probably a thread about it somewhere on this forum if you want to look... 😉 and there's one more thing I'm confused about... they told me I'd have trouble conceiving and that I should go in for formal preconception planning... did anyone ever mention that to you? I'm assuming they must have some specific method or protocol for that. 🤷

nobody ever told me I needed counseling because of PCOS—just that it might make conceiving a bit tougher. but nothing was set in stone; I've heard plenty of stories about women missing their periods for months and still getting pregnant. I actually had to do the whole counseling thing because of something else though, which is my epilepsy meds. Those pills can be bad for a baby, so my neurologist is slowly tapering me off them now. Truth is, those epilepsy meds can cause irregular cycles (and PCOS symptoms), and I'm pretty sure my irregular periods are straight-up caused by these pills, which I totally hate having to take. And oh my god! My sister was told the exact same thing about her PCOS and how hard it would be to conceive, but she got pregnant on her first try!! So yeah, I'm stressing, but I know it varies so much from person to person. My situation is just such a mess right now, I don't even know what to think...
My doctor just said if I don't get pregnant within the next five months, we need to take action and try a different method to conceive... plus, we'll have to do fertility testing... once all the tests are back, we'll see what the next steps are... ugh, what a nightmare!

A question...
Is there any chance a pregnancy test could return a false negative if the woman is currently breastfeeding?

I'm wondering if the hormonal shifts during lactation might somehow interfere with the accuracy of the results...?
My little one is five months old, so I doubt I'm pregnant, but my mind won't stop racing. I took a test, yet the uncertainty persists.
If anyone has insight into this, I would be grateful. 😉

boldpilot13 said:A question...
Is there any chance a pregnancy test could return a false negative if the woman is currently breastfeeding?

I'm wondering if the hormonal shifts during lactation might somehow interfere with the accuracy of the results...?
My little one is five months old, so I doubt I'm pregnant, but my mind won't stop racing. I took a test, yet the uncertainty persists.
If anyone has insight into this, I would be grateful. 😉

Also, does anyone know how much progesterone can impact hCG levels?
My baby was 8 months old at the time, and since I was breastfeeding, I actually got positive results on my first, second, and third tests... It's definitely possible for a test to be falsely negative due to a hundred different factors—like if it isn't your first morning urine and you've been drinking tons of water, which dilutes everything, or if ovulation happened later than expected. As far as breastfeeding goes, it's more likely to just throw off your cycle rather than trigger a false result.
Are you feeling any other symptoms, or is it just that your period is late?

stormymoose8 said:Also, does anyone know how much progesterone can impact hCG levels?
My baby was 8 months old at the time, and since I was breastfeeding, I actually got positive results on my first, second, and third tests... It's definitely possible for a test to be falsely negative due to a hundred different factors—like if it isn't your first morning urine and you've been drinking tons of water, which dilutes everything, or if ovulation happened later than expected. As far as breastfeeding goes, it's more likely to just throw off your cycle rather than trigger a false result.
Are you feeling any other symptoms, or is it just that your period is late?

I haven't even had my first period since giving birth. Honestly, I just feel slightly off. It could be anything, really... but given that this was the result of a single encounter outside of my fertile window, and we used withdrawal, I might as well start looking at baby cribs again.🙂
The anxiety has finally set in... I think I'll go get a blood test done, just to be certain...

I have a question... do you guys think it’s too early to take a test? My period isn't due until December 10th... but I want this pregnancy so badly that the waiting is basically pure torture. We’ve been trying really hard all month, so I’m just praying it actually pays off... p.s. just to mention, I threw up twice last Thursday and since then I've had this constant nausea—that feeling where you need to vomit but can't quite manage it. My stomach hurts and I have these intense headaches; if they aren't hitting me morning and night, they at least plague me every single morning. (Then again, I have diagnosed migraines, so maybe it’s nothing related, though I’m really hoping otherwise), oh, and my back is aching too. I honestly feel like I might just be imagining all these symptoms because I want this so incredibly much.

p.s. everyone talks about losing weight in the early stages of pregnancy, but if I am pregnant, that's clearly not happening for me because I am hungry all the time... the only thing I did notice was that I went to a backyard BBQ yesterday, and usually, I live for homemade sausages, but yesterday they actually made me feel sick. God, I really hope I'm not just making this all up.

It’s definitely not too early to start thinking about this... go ahead and take a test already...

P.S. And honestly? I am constantly hungry—so much so that weight loss feels like a distant, impossible dream!

Best of luck to you all!!!!

You were actually the first one to say it wasn't too early... honestly, I might just have to give you a hug for being right—if luck were on my side, anyway. hihihi

You can take a test whenever you want, but honestly, the chances of seeing a positive result right now are slim to none—unless your ovulation happened right after your period ended. You really need at least 10 days to pass from fertilization before an early-detection test will show anything. Anything sooner than that is just wasting your money and stressing yourself out for no reason.

Alright, thanks.