If you’re a woman who has never had her period before, learning about a potential unexpected pregnancy might have come as a shock. You may have assumed your lack of menstrual cycles meant you were unable to conceive. While it may be uncommon, it is possible to become pregnant without having had your period. This sudden news can be confusing, distressing, and life-altering. It’s normal to feel unprepared and to need time to settle your emotions. Where can you go for guidance and relevant information? How can you gradually get started with the decision-making process?
Are you concerned about a possible pregnancy even though you’ve never had your period before? Avenue Women’s Center offers free and confidential support, relevant services, and reliable information at our five Chicagoland, Illinois locations. Our medical-grade pregnancy tests are highly accurate and available at no cost. Our expert staff will walk you through your three options of abortion, adoption, and parenting. We’ll listen to your unique situation and answer your questions during a private consultation.
Call, chat, email, or text us to set up your free services today!
Pregnancy and Your Period
There’s a wide variety of reasons why you may not have had a period before. These may have to do with hormonal balances or lifestyle factors such as excessive exercise or the consumption of certain medications. If you’re over the age of 15 and have not begun to menstruate, you may want to consult a healthcare provider. “Primary Amenorrhea” is the medical term for the absence of a period in someone who is 15 or older (Mayo Clinic).
It’s understandable that you might have assumed a lack of a menstrual cycle meant you couldn’t get pregnant. But even if you’ve yet to experience a period or haven’t had a period in a while, pregnancy is still possible if you’re experiencing ovulation. Even if you’re not menstruating, it’s possible that you may still be ovulating (Cleveland Clinic). Therefore, you may want to be careful when engaging in sexual intercourse.
At the start of each cycle, your ovaries receive a signal from specific hormones in your body that tell them to develop an egg. Contained within a follicle, the egg grows after being stimulated by your hormones. Once the follicle bursts open around day 14, the egg is released from the ovary, and it generally lives for 12 to 24 hours (Cleveland Clinic).
While the egg has a short lifespan, sperm can survive inside of your reproductive system for several days. If it has the chance to fertilize an egg, you may become pregnant. If you’re not having a period, you may not be ovulating regularly. But this doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot ovulate (Cleveland Clinic). Menstruation typically marks the end of a cycle. Without your period, it can be difficult to determine when ovulation is occurring.
What to Do If You Suspect You’re Pregnant
If you’ve never had your period before or haven’t had it in a while, you may be uncertain if you’re pregnant or not. To confirm your condition, you may want to take a pregnancy test through a doctor or a first-step options clinic. Once you’ve begun to consult with a professional resource, you can begin asking questions about your options of abortion, adoption, and parenting. And you can see what steps you may need to take before you follow through with a decision.
Gestational age can be hard to track, especially if you’re early on in the pregnancy or you don’t have regular menstrual cycles. You may think you’re further along or earlier on than you actually are. How far along you are may be relevant to your decision to continue the pregnancy or not. The pregnancy’s age will determine whether or not you’re eligible for the abortion pill. There’s also the possibility of risks early in pregnancy. An ultrasound exam can help you learn more about these possibilities. At Avenue Women’s Center, we provide limited medical ultrasounds at no cost, so you can access this highly relevant information.
Next Steps with A Possible Pregnancy
This may seem like a lot to take in, but most women discover they’re pregnant while they still have time to make their decision. It’s important not to rush yourself. It may be beneficial to focus on accomplishing one step at a time. No matter what choice you make, it’s likely to have a big impact on your life. And there’s nothing wrong with spending a few days or weeks thoroughly considering all of your options.
Have you recently found yourself surprised by the news of an unexpected pregnancy, or are you concerned you may be experiencing one? Avenue Women’s Center is here to work with you by providing you with free services and confidential support. By offering limited medical services and in-depth information regarding your pregnancy options, we can assist you in taking the next steps toward your best pregnancy decision.
Reach out today to have your unexpected pregnancy questions answered by our expert staff!
References:
Cleveland Clinic. (2022, July). Ovulation. Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23439-ovulation
Mayo Clinic. (2023, February). Amenorrhea. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/amenorrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20369299
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.