AboutBrenda Expertise I have been an R.N. since 1988 and come from a family of nurses. I have clinical experience in labor and delivery, as well as post-partum care and pre-term pregnancy complications. I have also worked in Community Health Clinics dealing with this area of expertise, including WIC (Women, Infant, & Children) clinics performing nursing evaluations and assessments in determining a need for services or intervention for pregnant women, newborns, and young children. I have worked in immunization clinics in and around my community as well. I also have several years experience in OB and Pediatric Home Care Nursing. In addition to that, I am a mother of two, ages 21 and 16, both of which I had hoped would be vaginal deliveries, but ended up being C-Sections... one of which had me in pre-term labor...another which was frank breech (bottom first)... one who rejected the breast... and so on... to list my personal experience would be a bit lengthy! I'd simply like to help anyone who might have a question or concern that I can draw on my expertise to answer!
Experience I have been an R.N. since 1988 and come from a family of nurses. I have clinical experience in labor and delivery, as well as post-partum care and pre-term pregnancy complications. I have also worked in Community Health Clinics dealing with this area of expertise, including WIC (Women, Infant, & Children) clinics performing nursing evaluations and assessments in determining a need for services or intervention for pregnant women, newborns, and young children. I have worked in immunization clinics in and around my community as well. I also have several years experience in OB and Pediatric Home Care Nursing. My experience also includes approximately three years working in Behavioral Services.
Education/Credentials Graduated from the Mary Lanning School of Nursing in May 1988. Have been a licensed Registered Nurse in the state of NE since 1988.
Question i haven't had sex since June. 07. i had regular periods until October, when i barely got one. took several at home tests, all negative, and went and got examined in November and got a negative pregnancy result. i skipped December, had a normal period in January, and did not get one for February so i went back in to the doctors office and took another negative test, and they started me on birth control. could i still be pregnant? and if not what else could be wrong? march would be the ninth month since i had intercourse. i am retaining fluids and having abdominal pain. i haven't gained weight but i feel like my weight is positioned differently. no breast tenderness, but bad mood swings. i am also experiencing back pain, and pain underneath my right ribs. i just feel like something isn't right, whether its pregnancy or not but when the doctors told me i wasn't pregnant i wasn't reassured. please help me!
Answer Dear confused,
I would suspect you are not pregnant with that amount of time between your last sexual encounter and now AND so many negative pregnancy tests. There are many various causes for amenorrhea (absence of periods) - pregnancy being just one. Others can be:
-Hormonal imbalances, which cause fluctuating levels of the hormones needed to support menstruation
-Emotional or physical stress / Depression
-Rapid weight loss or gain
-Change in diet
-Low body weight
-Obesity
-Frequent or strenuous exercise
-Cysts or tumors in the ovaries
-Thyroid or Pituitary dysfunction
-Certain medications or drug use
-Menopause OR Premature ovarian failure (menopause before age 40)
-Occasionally stopping birth control pills
The general recommendation is that if you miss three consecutive periods and pregnancy is not the reason, you should see your doctor for a full evaluation so that a cause can be determined. The starting of the birth control pills may be your doctor's treatment to attempt to regulate your cycles hormonally.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
