Periods
Have you missed your period?
Pregnancy is one reason you can miss your period. If you have had unprotected sex, your period is late or you are unsure when your period is due and it is more than 28 days since your last period, take a pregnancy test.
There are other reasons for missed periods:
- Severe weight loss
- Severe weight gain
- Emotional stress
- Excessive exercise
- Breastfeeding
- Particular drugs
- Menopause onset
There are a few more complicated reasons for a missed period, if you are concerned, please see a doctor or talk with your school nurse.
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Gestation (number of weeks pregnant) is calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period.
For Example:
You are four weeks when you first find out…. You can’t be 1 or 2 weeks pregnant.
Period Due 1st
Sex 15th
Period Due 29th
Confirmed 30th
This means on the 30th you are 4 weeks and 1 day pregnant.
If your period is irregular it can be tricky to work out when it is due.
Resason for irregular cycles:
- When you first start getting your period it can take a while for it to develop into a regular rhythm
- Stress
- Diet
- Exercise
- Contraceptive (hormone) pills
- Medications
- Menopause
If you are concerned about your period, see a doctor or talk with your school nurse.
Having irregular periods can make it tricky to detect a pregnancy as a missed period is usually the first sign of pregnancy. If you have irregular periods and you are having sex, listen to your body as it can give you other clues.
If you are ever in doubt - take a pregnancy test.
The 5 minute embarrassment of buying a pregnancy test will be a distant memory once you are relieved from the answer or know that you now have some thinking to do!
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Keeping track of your period is super important because it can be the first indication that you are pregnant.
If you are late, taking a pregnancy test can either ease a load of worry or give you information to start taking action.
There are a bunch of apps that can help you keep a track of your period. Such as:
Type “period tracker” or “period diary” and loads of apps come up. Have a look for one you like.
IMPORTANT!!
Some of these apps mention “fertile days” this does NOT mean if you dont have sex in those days you will not get pregnant. These apps are just a guide. Each woman is different and can have a different cycle each month. Contraception is PIVITAL to pregnancy prevention.
FACT: You could get pregnant if you have sex during your period.
Don't rely on your period being a contraception method.
Other tracking ideas:
- You could draw a little symbol in your dairy that no-one would recognize to remind you when your period is due.
- Set up a reminder in your phone to buzz each month.
- Ask your mum or sister to keep track of it.
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