Hi Amanda,

Thank you for writing in.

I understand that this is a stressful period since you are asking yourself whether you may be pregnant or not, because your period is late.

First, let me reassure you that no matter how regular your period usually is, it may sometimes come late — for example due to stress, weight loss, or weight gain. If it is very often irregular, it may be important to see you doctor to rule out a medical condition (like polycystic ovarian syndrome) and he or she may also help you to regularize your period. Also, it is common for young women to have irregular periods in the first two years after menarche (menarche is the date when you got your period for the first time).

However, having sex (even just once and at any time of your cycle) without adequate contraception does put you at risk for pregnancy. Adequate contraception means (1) using condoms every time you have sex, and during the whole duration of penetration or (2) using a medication such as an oral contraceptive pill (every day!) or patch. A nurse at school, at a local clinic, or a doctor can counsel you regarding these and other methods of contraception. Please note that the pull-out method is the least effective method of contraception….

You are also putting yourself at risk of various sexually transmitted infections (STIs) if you are not using condoms during every sexual encounter (including anal and oral sex, not just vaginal penetration). If you have any questions about this, you can look at previous questions + answers on the Alterheros site, write to us with any questions, or speak to a nurse or doctor at your school or a local clinic. You can Google « health clinic » with the name of your town or neighborhood and with the words « teen » or « youth » to find a place.

But lets get back to your present concern about pregnancy. I would suggest that you wait about a week to see if you get your period. If it does not come, I would suggest you buy a home pregnancy test. If it is positive, there are many options for you — and at this point it would be important that you talk them over with a doctor, as well as with your family and any trusted adult that can give you support during such an important decision period. It is important in such times to keep close ties with people who are close to you and to who you can open up.

If the pregnancy test is negative, this should reassure you that you will probably get your period in the following week. But if it still does not come, it would be important to go see a nurse or doctor who can do a more precise pregnancy test.

I hope this answer has been helpful, and do write in again if you have any other questions.

Rimma