Anonymous: how late can a period be before health problems/pregnancy/anything should be worried? i'm 16 and i got it this day last month and im just a worrier.

Hi anon,

Thanks for writing in.

The answer to your question really depends on a lot of things. If you have engaged in penile-vaginal sex or sexual behaviors where sperm were deposited onto the vulva or inside of the vagina then your period could be late because of pregnancy.

But, periods can be late or skipped for many reasons. It’s normal during puberty for periods to be irregular and not come exactly at the same time. Also, lots of people have periods that don’t come every 28 days, that’s just an average. Some people have menstrual cycles that are 30 or 31 days, some people have menstrual cycles that are much shorter. It all depends on the person.

Also, periods can be late due to stress, a change in weight, sleep, eating, or exercise habits.

If you engaged in a sexual behavior that has a risk for pregnancy and your period is late, then you may want to consider taking a pregnancy test. You can either take one at home or in a local clinic. Find free or low-cost and confidential clinics near you here.

If you haven’t engaged in any sexual behaviors that have a risk for pregnancy, but you are still concerned then you may still want to visit the clinic or see a doctor. They can examine you and it may help ease your worrying.

I hope this helps!

Anonymous: After getting scared about the thought of pregnancy after unprotected sex, I wanted to get the implant. I got the implant whilst I was bleeding, the bleed went on for a number of days, was there everyday, I got through tampons during the day aswell. After hearing about spotting and implantation bleeding, I'm worried it wasn't my period i had!? What Is the difference between them? Is is very slight, or do you realise?

Hi anon,

Implantation bleeding does not occur that often. When it does it is very light and not at all like a full period. The hormones in the implant may have effected your menstrual cycle.

If you are concerned you should speak with the health care provider who inserted the implant. You can also take a pregnancy test either at home or in a local clinic. You can find free or low-cost and confidential clinics near you here.

I hope this helps.

Anonymous: there's a pulsating sensation in my uterus. i don't know what it is. i'm not pregnant but my last period was a lot lighter than usual.. what does this mean? is it normal?

Hi anon,

We aren’t doctors here at Sex, Etc. but even if we were we couldn’t diagnose you over the internet.

What you are describing sounds like cramping that can happen before or during a period. However, if you are concerned, the best thing to do is speak to a health care provider in person who can examine you and let you know if there is anything to be concerned about.

I hope this helps!

Anonymous: I'm on my fourth month of lo loestrin Fe pills. Normally my period occurs on the second sunday of the month, but i still haven't gotten it. I only take BC to manage cramps and my boyfriend and i only engage in manual, oral, and dry sexual activities. What's up? Is my body still adjusting to the pills even in he fourth month?

Hi anon,

A pregnancy can only occur if sperm are deposited onto the vaginal opening or inside of the vagina. If you haven’t engaged in an activity with your partner where sperm could have been deposited onto your vaginal opening on in the vagina then there is no risk for pregnancy.

You may want to take a pregnancy test either at home or in a local clinic to be sure if you are concerned that you may be pregnant. You can find free or low-cost and confidential clinics near you here.

You might also want to speak with the health care provider who prescribed your birth control pills about not getting your period. You might be experiencing side effects of the pill as your body still adjusts but if these side effects bother you, you may want to speak with your health care provider about trying a different birth control pill or method.

I hope this helps!

Anonymous: Is it normal if after one week after my period I started bleeding? Is not that much but I got a little worried cause I had sex with my boyfriend without condom and I'm on my ovulation days. Hope you can answer my question! Best wishes

Hi anon,

Sometimes females can experience spotting or light menstruating between periods and this is normal.

If you have had penile-vaginal intercourse without a condom and are not using hormonal birth control there is a high risk for pregnancy. Pregnancy can occur any time sperm are deposited directly onto the vaginal opening or inside of the vagina.

If it has been less than 120 hours since this happened, you can take emergency contraception (EC). If you are 17 or older, you can purchase EC over-the-counter at a pharmacy. If you are younger than 17 you will need a prescription. You can get a prescription and EC from a local free or low-cost and confidential clinics near you here.

The situation you described is also high risk for STDs. You and your partner may want to consider being tested for STDs at a local clinic.

In the future, you and your partner may want to consider using a condom. Condoms are 98-percent effective with perfect use at preventing pregnancy and are highly effective at preventing the transmission of STDs. You can learn how to properly use a condom here.

I hope this helps.

Anonymous: Hi, so I gave my boyfriend a hand job about a month ago and he ejaculated, but literally just a drop, and it got on my finger. I wiped it back on him and had none on my hand. he washed his hands and didnt touch me after that. I went home about an hour or more later and I touched my vagina lightly. I have missed my period, and was nasaeus for three days before I was supposed to get it, and now. My period usually is around the 7-9th. I have been really anxious. Could it be nerves ? Or am I prego ?

Hi anon,

There is no risk of pregnancy from the situation you described. Sperm cannot live outside of the body very long, and if the fluids that surround the sperm are absorbed by something or dry up the sperm die. A pregnancy can only occur if sperm are deposited directly on the vaginal opening or inside of the vagina.

If you are still concerned you may want to take a pregnancy test. If you were to take one now it would be accurate. You can either take one at home or in a local clinic. You can find free or low-cost and confidential clinics near you here.

Periods can be late or skipped for lots of reasons, especially when you are a teen and your cycle may not be very regular yet. Periods can be late or skipped because of a change in sleeping, eating or exercise habits, weight gain or loss or stress.

I hope this helps!

Anonymous: Last month I had my period twice, (June 11-19th, June 26- July 1st) and I believe it was because I stopped birth control? My last period ended July 1st. I haven't had a period yet this month in July. My normal cycle runs every 11th to the 18/19th. I haven't gotten a period yet, & my pregnancy test a few days ago was one dark line& one really faint pink line. Should I call my doctor, or take another test?. Just want some input first before I call my doctor& make myself look like a fool!

Hi anon,

If you are concerned you may be pregnant and the test result you got from the home test was hard to read, there is nothing wrong with calling your health care provider. That’s what they are there for!

Having another pregnancy test done by a health care provider is probably a good idea. The sooner someone knows that they are pregnant the sooner they can make some important decisions.

I hope this helps!

Anonymous: Can you get pregnant or is it even possible when you're on your period? (shower sex)

Hi anon,

It is definitely possible for someone to get pregnant if they have unprotected penile-vaginal sex during their period.

Check out this FAQ to learn why.

Anonymous: I'm on my period & the bf sucked my nipples but one side hurt a little the other one was fine, same pressure when I'm not on my period when he sucks on them, are they normally sensitive when on the period?

Hi anon,

Some people’s nipples are very sensitive all the time and some only when they have their period. Both males and females can have sensitive nipples and it can hurt to have then touched, pinched or sucked.

What you are experiencing is completely normal. Talking and communicating with a partner during sexual behaviors so that they know when they are causing or having discomfort is a great way to make sure that everyone feels safe and comfortable at all times.

I hope this helps!

Anonymous: Can you get pregnant a week before your period or only while ovulating ? Also, if my bf cums on my vagina and i finger myself with it can i get pregnant?

Hi anon,

A pregnancy can occur any time sperm are ejaculated directly onto the vaginal opening or inside of the vagina. There needs to be an egg to be fertilized in order for a pregnancy to occur, but sometimes ovulation happens at a different time than usual and sperm can live in the body up to a week. Which means that having unprotected vaginal sex even if a female has her period is a high risk situation for pregnancy. Both of the situations you described have a high risk for pregnancy.

These situations are also high risk for the transmission of STDs. You and your partner may want to consider being tested at a local clinic. You can find free or low-cost and confidential clinics near you here.

In the future, you may want to consider using a condom. Condoms are 98-percent effective with perfect use at preventing pregnancy and are highly effective at preventing the transmission of STDs. You can find out how to properly use a condom here.

I hope this helps!

Anonymous: Is it normal for my period to happen VERY regularly (always somewhere between the 25th and the 30th), but only every two months?

Hi anon,

Everybody and every body is different and so everything is normal. What is normal for one person may not be for another, but that’s OK!

If you are concerned about your menstrual cycle still, then you might want to speak with your health care provider.