QUESTION

[Aarushi257]

i got my period 2 days later than i usually would and
it usually lasts 4-5 days but this time has lasted 7 days.
Could this have anything to do with pregnancy?
I'm still cramping for some reason.

[Elise]

Hi Aarushi257,

It is normal for menstrual flow to vary from cycle to cycle, and this is true even if you have an established "regular" period generally. It sounds like you are having a heavier period than usual, and no this would not be caused by pregnancy. A period of 7 days or so is still within the average duration of a period. Cramping, too, can vary a bit. If you've been experiencing extremely heavy flow (where you have to change pads, tampons or cup more often than every few hours) this whole time or your cramps can't be addressed with over-the-counter painkillers then you should see a doctor, however that sounds like it's not the case for you in this situation.

You can read more about it in this article here: On the Rag: A Guide to Menstruation
But essentially lots of factors can influence menstrual cycles, including rest, activity, how and what we eat, stress, being unwell.

Speaking of stress, you've been asking a lot of these questions about pregnancy lately, how are you doing at the moment?

[Aarushi257]

I'm still a little scared but trying to keep it together.
I'm unsure whether i should test or not after having a period or whether that would just feed into my pregnancy scare ocd, like would testing even after getting a long period be feeding into my compulsions?
cause last time was so so so bad with my compulsions.
My boyfriend's been super supportive and has been helping me through it and of course, the scarleteen website.

[Emily N]

Hey Aarushi257,
It sounds like you are thinking about when taking a pregnancy test will only increase your anxiety surrounding pregnancy instead of helping you feel more at ease, and that's really important. I'm glad you are checking in with yourself! Because it isn't possible to have a period while pregnant, your period is a reliable indicator that you aren't pregnant, and taking a pregnancy test won't really give you more information. Does that help?

[Aarushi257]

so even when women have bleeding throughout the month when they are pregnant? like i keep thinking that could be my situation and get scared you know?
i'll try to keep my anxiety in check, thank you xxxx

[Emily N]

Bleeding during early pregnancy is generally light/spotting, and isn't considered a period. It also starts after a person has missed their period, as well, which doesn't sound like what you are experiencing.

[Aarushi257]

yeah i have irregular cycles anyways tbh,
anything ranging from 31-35 days and this month, 36 days which i wouldn't consider late tbh.
So I'm going to try and stay away from testing and build my endurance to these types of scares.
I think the last scare shook me up pretty badly, i gained a lot of weight, became depressed and couldn't leave the house. I tried getting therapy but live in an unsupportive home environment and my parents weren't ready to pay for it. I'm trying my best but find these scares extremely hard to deal with tbh.

[Emily N]

I'm sorry to hear that pregnancy anxiety is affecting you so hard, and that you don't have access to therapy. You deserve a supportive environment, but I'm glad that you are giving yourself space to think about how you can help yourself feel calmer or direct away from your anxiety <3

[Aarushi257]

thanks for your help <3