Anonymous: Also just to add the flow was light- medium. That's why I'm debating if I should take the test or not. I heard of ppl being pregnant nd having a period but isn't it more like spotting nd not an actual period? (2/2)

Hi anon,

It looks like we only have the second half of this message not 1/2. So I can’t answer it completely, but I can say that having a period means someone is not pregnant. Someone cannot have their period and be pregnant. Some people may spot during pregnancy, but that is actually usually a sign that someone may have a miscarriage or lose the pregnancy. It’s not something that happens a lot.

If you are concerned about being pregnant, you can take a pregnancy test to find out for sure if you are pregnant. You can either take one at home or in a local free or low-cost and confidential clinic near you. Find a clinic here.

I hope this helps.

Anonymous: I took my last placebo pill today, but I can't get my new pack of birth control pills until Sunday (6 days away). I am aware it will increase chance of pregnancy, but me and my boyfriend agreed no sex for at least a month. Will the effect of taking the pills a week late only make my next period come a little later?

Hi anon,

We aren’t doctors at Sex, Etc. so it’s hard for us to say because this really depends on your pill and the combination of hormones in it, as well as other factors like your personal menstrual cycle. You should speak with the health care provider who prescribed your birth control.

You and your partner have decided to practice abstinence for a little while. But, missing a week of pills will increase the risk of pregnancy for a little while, so if you and your partner decide to have vaginal sex, you may want to consider using a back-up method of birth control, such as condoms. 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 use a condom here.

I hope this helps.

Anonymous: can you get pregnant if a guy gets cum on his hand and then puts his fingers in the girl?

Hi anon,

Yes, there is a risk for pregnancy if someone ejaculates on a hand and that hand and the semen is then pretty quickly placed directly onto the vaginal opening or inside of the vagina. A pregnancy can occur anytime sperm are deposited onto the vaginal opening or inside of the vagina.

I hope this helps!

Anonymous: Hi :) I'm only 16, but I've always been curious when it is the best time to conceive. I'm only asking for future reference and also because I've heard a lot of rumours and I don't know which ones are true. Do you conceive before or after a period?

Hi anon,

Anytime a person has unprotected penile-vaginal sex a pregnancy can occur. It’s possible to get pregnant even if someone has their period when they have sex. There’s no right time and it doesn’t happen at the same time for every person. What it really depends on is when someone is ovulating. Ovulation usually occur on day 14 of the menstrual cycle, but it is different for everyone and could happen if during a period. If there is an egg that has been released from an ovary and sperm are present then a pregnancy is possible. The sperm need to fertilize the egg and then the fertilized egg can implant in the lining of the uterus and begin to grow. This is when a pregnancy begins.

Check out this video from Planned Parenthood that does a great job of explaining how pregnancy happens.

I hope this helps!

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: I have been having clear stretchy discharge and i had unprotected sex can my possibilities be high ?

Thanks for your question.

I’m not sure if you’re asking if your chances are high for STDs, pregnancy or both so I’ll answer for both.

There’s no way to tell if you’re pregnant solely based on discharge. Seeing as though you’ve had unprotected sex you may want to take a pregnancy test and talk to a health care provider. You didn’t mention when this incident took place but if you’ve had unprotected in the past 5 days you may be able to use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.

As far as the risk for STDs goes, one of the symptoms is changes in discharge while many people feel no symptoms at all. If you’re concerned about STD I would suggest getting tested at your local health care center.

Hope this helps.

Anonymous: Does linea nigra only occur in pregnant women? I was looking at my stomach and noticed the line and Googled it. But the answers are all over the place. Oh and is it true that the line appears from a pregnancy hormone?

The “linea nigra” is a dark vertical line that often appears between the belly button and the pubic area of some women in the middle of their pregnancy. This should not be used as a determining sign of pregnancy as some girls and women already have this visible line, also there’s some evidence to indicate that skin discolorations can be related to folic acid deficiency. I would suggest talking to a doctor and taking a pregnancy test if you are concerned.

Hope this helps.