Potential pregnancy?

A couple of you mentioned situations where you were concerned about potential pregnancy. It would be great to hear how you are doing, and I'm sure others would benefit from your experiences.

@benjiwolf - did your girlfriend end up getting her period?

@pepper2001 - how did things turn out with your girlfriend and the concern she might possibly be pregnant?

@miranda0213 One other thing Id like to add from the post above from @vogelkm is make an appt with your gyn. to make sure there isn't something else going on. Whatever has caused your periods to be late maybe be so many different things including stress as mentioned For your sake make an appt .

hello. i am 17 years old. my period was six days late and the flow was very light and went away in around four days. usually my periods last 8 days. my cramps are usually terrible but they weren't nearly as bad and they appeared and disappeared and appeared again with hour intervals for the first three days. they were strongest the third day only for about 4 hours and then disappeared. i got a job november 2, around the time my last period ended. for about two weeks i had to clean the men's bathroom without gloves. i sprayed it with clorox and cleaned it with paper towels without gloves. i washed my hands around three times for thirty minutes before getting home and touching my vagina (masturbating). there was pee on the toilet and stuff when i cleaned it. i'm afraid i touched sperm maybe or sperm cells in the pee or on the toilet that got stuck under my nails or on my fingers that didn't wash away when washing my hands and stayed when i touched my vagina. please answer i'm very scared i've been having panic attacks and can't eat cuz i'm too anxious. i'm afraid of getting pregnant that way. is it possible? my period is ALWAYS heavy and i always get terrible cramps. i googled the symptoms of my current period and it says implantation bleeding?! help i'm scared.

@miranda0213 We're glad you are here and asked questions. It is always better to ask and please do not feel embarrassed to do so. You have read the other comments, which are spot on. I know when I was a teenager, my period was usually unpredictable in length/flow due to my hormones or stressors in my life. In fact, they were pretty wonky all my life! Exams at school, parties, activities, you-name-it. For your peace of mind, get an appointment with your doctor to rule out any problems; it will help you feel better. And please, wear gloves to protect your skin from harmful and strong chemicals! Please come back and let us know how you are doing, okay?
Ginger

I'm sorry that this situation is making you scared. I'm glad to say that there is really no way for you to have gotten pregnant that way. Sperm is not carried through urine and would not survive on a toilet, or the vigorous handwashing. Sperm needs to be inside a body to survive and dies quickly outside of a body. Unless you've had sexual intercourse lately it's highly unlikely for you to be pregnant. Periods can sometimes change as we age, or because we are stressed, or hormone fluctuations. Is this new job stressful for you? I know that having period changes can be worrying. I hope this helps you feel better.

Hi, @miranda0213 - I wanted to join @gingerw and @vogelkm in welcoming you to Mayo Clinic Connect. Glad you reached out. I wanted to let you know that I moved your post here to an existing discussion about potential pregnancy, so that you could join others who've talked about similar issues.

I can imagine that fear you could be pregnant if that is not your desire at this time could be intense. I'd like to invite others who've been involved in this discussion before to return and offer any suggestions they may have, such as @hopeful33250 @benjiwolf @pepper2001 @sandytoes14 .

It seems as though getting some definitive answers from medical professionals might be helpful with the anxiety you are experiencing. Have you talked to your doctor or a nurse in his or her office to get some consult on this situation?

@miranda0213
Welcome to MayoConnect. You came to the right place. This is a place where everyone can feel safe and most of us are here because at one time or another we were very worried, stressed or confused about a medical or personal situation. Our goal is to help people find the right resources for their individual concerns. And we are here to comfort you and let you know that it is fine to talk about whatever is troubling you.

First, it is not possible for you to become pregnant in the way that you describe. Unless you have had intercourse in the recent past, I would not be concerned about a pregnancy. That being said, I would definitely go to a gynecologist or family doctor to determine if you have any type of infection or if there is a reason why your periods have changed recently. I had fairly regular periods compared to most people but even I would have changes in my periods when I became stressed or overly worried about something. Cramps and the symptoms you describe can occur due to anxiety, hormonal issues or even bacterial infections. So you need to check out what could be causing your symptoms. But pregnancy in the way you describe should not be of concern.

Please also make sure that you always wear gloves if you are around any bodily fluids or areas that are in need of cleaning. You are to be admired for being a hard worker. Is this job stressful for you? It sounds like you had a change in your routine and environment right before these symptoms began. These changes can certainly cause stress which can in turn cause changes in your period, issues with your stomach including cramping, nausea, and a myriad of other symptoms. I myself have been prone to anxiety and panic attacks and I know how much this affects my stomach.

If you have a family member or a close friend that you can talk with, I would encourage you to allow them to support you until you get this figured out. One thing I don't think has been mentioned is whether or not you have an OB/GYN or primary care doctor that you go to already or if you have the funds or insurance necessary for a doctor's visit. If you do not, in most cities and even small towns, there are women's clinics, free clinics or other types of medical facilities that should be available to you regardless of your ability to pay. So please look into this if you do not have a regular doctor or if you feel that you cannot spare the resources for one.. I mention this because you said you just started a new job and when I started a new job at your age, I did not have any extra money at all for much of anything.

Remember that you did not do anything wrong. And remember too that this group is a place that you can count on to help and support you. Please keep us informed as to how you are doing.

Hello! I am not doing any better. my period started december first, its is currently december 6 and it is very strange. I bleed very occasionally. usually when i wake up during normal periods i bleed a lot because of overnight blood, but this time i usually don't bleed at all in the morning, only when i'm at school i bleed, not nearly as much as usual though. maybe i bleed around three times, in one whole school day, but very little. when i get home the bleeding usually stops as well. it seems to be heaviest at school (which is still not heavy at all). i cant stop worrying about a possible pregnancy, i know it's dumb, because what are the odds that there was sperm on the toilet that i didn't see, or sperm on the pee that i wiped, but google doesn't help. i keep searching things and it tells me that sperm can be found it pee. it also tells me that sleek survives in warm moist areas. i'm afraid some sperm cells stayed alive under my fingernails or in my finger skin creased when i washed them with soap and warm water. i know the odds are low, but i did touch the wet paper towels with my fingers. it was about thirty minutes after cleaning the toilets that i got home and touched my vagina, though i washed my hands again before doing so. i've been very gassy and burping, and i google says all these are signs of implantation bleeding. i know it's crazy and what are the odds, it's probably not even possible. i didn't even directly insert fingers into my vagina, just the outside. i've been feeling so much anxiety and have had panic attacks thinking about this. i told my mom this, minus the masturbation part, only expressed worry that i cleaned the toilets without gloves then used the restroom and maybe accidentally touched myself. she told me it was impossible and has been trying to get me not to worry. i went to the doctor yesterday because the anxiety has been eating me up, i can't eat. i get anxiety and it doesn't allow me to pass food down my throat because it's constructed and my heart beats fast. i think i'm going insane. i cried to my mom yesterday. she took me to the doctor, i don't like him much. we only told him about my irregular periods, and i mentioned that i was a senior in high school and got a job this month. i am 5'4 and weigh 101 pounds. he said i was probably stressed and had anxiety and that changed my period. i did not tell him about the bathroom situation and my worries of possibly being pregnant because of it, so he just assumed i was stressed and had anxiety and referred me to a psychologist. i am going crazy. my mom tries to reassure me saying it's impossible, but i can't help but worry more and more the more i google symptoms etc. please help, i don't know what to do.

@miranda0213 It's possible that the more you stress and have anxiety, the worse your digestive tract will be with the burping, the gas and not able to sleep etc. I know that's what it's like for me! Like you've been reading, take the time to go to a doctor, to a woman's clinic or a free clinic for a second opinion, or to talk to someone that you are comfortable with. You might feel that going to your regular doctor is not the right thing because you're afraid he might say something to your mother, since you are under the age of majority. That in itself could cause a lot of stress! We all know that anxiety can cause so many different symptoms and until you have the answers it'll just feel worse and worse. Remember we are all rooting for you and are all on your side. Please go get yourself checked by a second source and talk candidly to them. I really think that it will alleviate a lot of the stress you feel.
Ginger

thank you so much for your reply, i really appreciate it. i think what would help me is someone knocking sense into me with scientific facts as to why it's not possible. could you tell me what you exactly think about my situation and it's possibilities? i'm very scared. i cried just now thinking about it, this has been going on for days and i'm afraid it will affect my next period and make me even more worried. i want to get a pregnancy test, but idk if t might be too soon. my mental state has been chaos. i have posted on other online forums and they just tell me it's not possible, without explaining why, or they say i'm lifeless and want attention or am trolling online. i really am not, i am so so scared. thank you so much for reading everything i post, i know it's long, but i really appreciate your replies.