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No Periods, Brownish Pink Spotting, Unprotected Sex, Negative HCG Test And Urine Test. Pregnancy ?

Posted on Tue, 5 Jun 2012

Question: My periods are normally very regular and very Heavy flow. I've had no stress lately, no change in diet or exercise etc..Very very light, Brownish pink very light spotting(not even enough for a panty liner) for over two weeks, It's usually darkest in the morning, then fades to a faint XXXXXXX only when I wipe towards the evening, period due over 2 weeks ago, negative urine pregnancy tests (though one brand did have a faint blue line which I ignored assuming it was invalid since it had been over ten minutes), HCG Quantitative test on Sept 2nd, result of <2, slightly tight and mildly crampy down low ( I usually only get cramps the day my period starts for a few hours) & bloated for over two weeks, very bubbly stomache and always feel full. (though with my other three children the HCG didn't show until I was well over three months pregnant) No insurance and the OB's here will not accept you without it, and not alot of money. Free clinics here do not do ultrasounds without being paid $500 up front (which I do not have) I am 35 years old. Could this be pregnancy or something else? My periods are always on time every month. Another interesting factor is that before my periods, my breasts are always very painful for at least a week, I have had no breast discomfort at all since my last period, the last week of July. I had unprotected sex on August 14th, other than that we use the pull-out method.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 hour later)

Hi,

Thanks for your query.

I have read your problems of concern and am aware of the discomfort you are facing. The fact of the matter is that you say that you have always been having heavy flow. This is definitely not a 'normal' situation to begin with. There is definitely a concern for this from the start.

The brownish pink discharge could may as well be due to many possible causes like hormonal disturbance or even hormonal disorder. Since the pregnancy tests are possibly weakly positive by a faint blue line it is quite probably related to a hormonal problem but you haven't been very clear about the hCG value of less than '2'. Kindly specify the units if you have the reports with you.

The cramps are quite possibly related to the heavy bleeding, a part of many possible causes which can range from uterine swellings or part of the hormonal disorder complex. The pain in your breasts could indicate response of the breasts to hormone Oestrogen which can aggravate the pain. Kindly palpate your breasts gently according to the standard method of breast palpation to feel for lumps and if you do find anything as such it would be best to get a checkup by your Doctor to find a way to relieve you of this pain and discomfort.
I would suggest you get a full workup by your Gynecologist by getting a per vaginal exam, possible hormone workup to rule out Thyroid problems, PCOD for example and also you may need to get an ultrasound to substantiate in making the right diagnosis and finally the right treatment.

I would also like to advise you to stay away from fatty, sweet, high carbohydrate meals. Try to have more of fesh fruits and XXXXXXX leafy vegetables. Drink around 5 glasses of water a day. Exercise by daily brisk walking for 40 minutes a day. Get 6-8 hours of sleep daily. Do Yoga, Pranayam for effective stress relief and peace of mind as well.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (31 minutes later)

My periods have always been on time, normal to slightly heavy flow (a tad bit heavier when it only lasts 4-5 days)and usually last around 4-7 days long. I have always had normal pap smears and ultrasounds and no thyroid issues. The breast tenderness is only for the week long duration when I start my period monthly and then goes away until the next period is due. I have no lumps or oddities in my breasts other than the fact that my blue veins seem to be a little more showy on them this last week or so. My period has not started since the last one I had the last week of July. I have had the absence of the usual pre-menstrual breast tenderness and period since then and have been spotting this light pink/brown discharge for nearly three weeks. The cramping is only slight more like a bloated, slight pressure-ish feeling like my period is going to start any day, yet it doesn't. Also accompanied by a mild lower back ache. The HCG Quantitative test I had done at a local lab where you can have any lab test done for $49. The only result I got was an email saying my HCG count was "<2" and when I called and asked what that meant they said it means not pregnant. That is all the info they gave me. I would love to get an ultrasound to see what's going on in there but unfortunately I don't have $500 to pay for it so any further information would be most appreciated!
Thank you so much

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (7 hours later)

Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

I understand the situation. The increase in the cramping and bloatedness along with not a normal period yet could point to hormonal disorder in high probability. You can wait for upto 10 days from the expected day of start of your menses and if the menses does not start by then I recommend you get a Gynaecologist's consultation.
You may need to be ruled out for ovarian problems in some likelyhood because irregular, faint creamy like periods with the feeling of bloating, could point to possible ovarian pathology like Polycystic ovarian disease. Also, the pull out method has a high failure rate and can cause pregnancy in upto 27% of cases approximately. Kindly refrain from this method if you desire protection from unwanted pregnancy and preferrably use a condom in such situations.

Wishing you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T