[bandgeeklover]

Ok I'm in a weird situation and I'm not sure what to do. I normally have fairly regular perioods, but this month I'm late. I know it's not really anything to freak out over, but I'm still worried. But really, my main concern is this: if I take something that promotes menstruation, what effect would that have if I am actually pregnant? I'm definitely NOT ready for a child yet, but I don't want to cause a misscarriage. I would just really like some help with this. Thanks!

[LanaBear]

Well, first thing first. You know you are late, have you taken a pregnancy test?

Have you had unprotected sex since your last period or did you have sex in which your protection knowingly failed? If yes to either of these, do you know approximately when in your cycle did this occur?

[bandgeeklover]

I have not taken a pregnancy test yet. I use condoms, but I know they're not the most reliable form of birth control.
And it was about a week before I should have started my period. Can you offer any advice?

[LanaBear]

Before you take anything to promote menstruation, take a pregnancy test. Chances are it is negative and you are not pregnant. You used protection and it was about a week before your period (you probably were not ovulating).

Your period may be late because you are stressed about it. Stress is a major contributing factor for delayed periods.

Take a pregnancy test to ease your mind a bit. Then wait it out a couple of weeks. If you are not pregnant, you can also try some ginger tea (actual ginger from the produce department) and seep it in hot water. This can help you start your period.

[bandgeeklover]

Oh that's comforting; I thought that you DID ovulate about a week before your period. And I actually use ginger tea religiously. I always have fresh ginger in my fridge just in case.
But if I am pregnant, could herbal remedies to bring on my period cause a misscarriage, or would they just not work?

[LanaBear]

It depends all on your cycle. Ovulation generally occurs 12-15 days into your cycle. But again all depends on your cycle length. For example, I generally ovulate days 11-13 of my cycle, which is about 14 days before my period (I have about a 25 day cycle). How long are your cycles?

I'm not sure what the issues would be forcing a period if you were pregnant. However, I would error on the side of caution and not take anything to force a period until I tested.

[bandgeeklover]

Well I'm going to get a test ASAP. I just really don't like not knowing what's going on. I think my cycles are normally 27-28 days. I don't have a clue exactly when I ovulate though.

[LanaBear]

That's a good idea. Let us know how it goes.

[bandgeeklover]

I certainly will. And thank you for the help!

[kygirl09]

If you're pregnant and don't want to continue the pregnancy I would NOT recommend trying to induce a miscarriage on your own. First off, you would need an ultrasound to make sure the pregnancy is in your uterus and not your fallopian tubes. Having an ectopic pregnancy and trying to induce miscarriage could cause severe bleeding. If you want to end your pregnancy, consider going to an abortion clinic/women's center. If early enough in your pregnancy, around 9 weeks or less you can have an medication abortion that requires no instruments but uses medicine that causes you to have a "miscarriage" and you can have it in the privacy of your own home. Best of luck!