Period concern

[MT96]

I have a very important question about female menstruation. For the first few months of our relationship my girlfriend got her period around the 26th of each month, give or take a day or two. For the last few months her period had been occurring a bit earlier than usual but we didn't think much about it. I don't remember the exact day, but in December I remember she got her period before Christmas, and I believe she finished it before Christmas Day. In January she began her period (I believe) on the 18th. Her most recent period began on February 10th, only 23 days after her previous period had begun. I did a google search on early periods, and I was very alarmed to see that many of the search results mentioned pregnancy. I did a bit of research on implantation bleeding, and from what I have read I don't believe her period resembled implantation bleeding in any way. I read that implantation bleeding usually occurs as light spotting, is colored differently than regular period blood, and typically lasts only 1-2 days. My girlfriend assures me that her period flow was perfectly normal in amount and in color, and I know that it lasted about 5 days. Based on what I have read I feel fairly confident that her early period was not implantation bleeding, but because of many contrasting things I read I am still concerned about her period coming only 23 days after the previous one. She is about to be 16 years old and has been getting her period for several years. Her periods had been pretty regular before this. We are sexually active but are safe. I always wear a Trojan condom, and I carefully pull-out a few seconds early to be extra safe. I even wash my hands before allowing them any contact with that area of her body. Logically I don't see how she could possibly be pregnant and deep down I feel like I know she's not, but it's still been causing me a lot of stress and anxiety these last several weeks. Today is the 21st day since she began that early period, so her next period should begin within the next week. As the time for that draws nearer my anxiety increases, and I am hoping that a professional opinion will ease my mind. It is completely unacceptable to our families and to ourselves that we could be making such a big mistake at such a young age, and it would completely derail our lives because we are so young and not nearly prepared for such responsibility. I will very greatly appreciate your responses and professional opinions. Thank you!

[MT96]

This is day 30 since her last period and she still hasn't gotten it. She's been cramping for the last several days and says she feels like she's on it, but no period yet. I'm really getting worried. ):

[Chima7]

I get cramps before my period every month.  That's how I know it's coming.  

Once again, nothing you have posted in all of your posts is in any way pointing toward pregnancy AT ALL. You're seriously making yourself sick over absolutely nothing.  She's not pregnant, I'm sure of it. I wouldn't say that if it wasn't true.  And I think celibacy is a good idea until you can get your anxiety under control. I support your decision to abstain 100 percent.

[MT96]

Since yesterday she has been having on-and-off cramping that she says feels like menstrual cramps, but no period yet. I'm so badly stressed that I'm scared of it giving me health problems, because in addition to this, some major family issues spring up two days ago. Is it normal for cramps to come and go in the days before her period? I'm on the verge of a breakdown between he stress I've created over this, and the family problems. My girlfriend and I have resolved to be celibate until she is able to get on some form of birth control, so I have learned my lesson from this. Now I just need the period to come and lift this weight off of my shoulders. Because she had a full period last month and we haven't had sex, does that alone mean she isn't pregnant? Aside from the other reasons,  does that make pregnancy a virtual impossibility?

[Chima7]

I can't help you with percentage because me and math don't get along well. I hate math SO much that if it was a person, I would shoot it in the face and drown it in the ocean because I literally hate math more than anything else in this world. But I digress.

But it's irrelevant cause you don't need percentages because I already told you what's going on. You're using condoms every time and she has been having regular periods so there's nothing for you to be concerned about. If you wanted even more protection, tell her to get on the pill because between the pill and condom used together, it's impossible to get pregnant. But using condoms correctly that do not break is also safe, and that's what you've been doing, so  the only concern here is the one you've manufactured in your head.

[Chima7]

I can't help you with percentage because me and math don't get along well. I hate math SO much that if it was a person, I would shoot it in the face and drown it in the ocean because I literally hate math more than anything else in this world. But I digress.

But it's irrelevant cause you don't need percentages because I already told you what's going on. You're using condoms every time and she has been having regular periods so there's nothing for you to be concerned about. If you wanted even more protection, tell her to get on the pill because between the pill and condom used together, it's impossible to get pregnant. But using condoms correctly that do not break is also safe, and that's what you've been doing, so  the only concern here is the one you've manufactured in your head.

[MT96]

Thanks everyone for you answers. Do any of you think you can give me a percentage of certainty that I and my gf have nothing to worry about?

[Chima7]

It's never on the same day of the month every month. It always varies from month to moth.  It can be 28 days one month and 25 days the next month and 32 days the next month and 23 days the next month, etc. What I just described is, for all intents and purposes, regular. What's not considered regular is skipping periods and not having them for several months at a time.

From what you've described, I don't see anything concerning or different. It looks about standard to me.

Furthermore, when used correctly, condoms prevent pregnancy. Sperm doesn't go through the condom. If you're wearing one and it doesn't break then it's working.  So you shouldn't worry about that.

[MT96]

Thanks for the advice!
Let's imagine I hadn't even mentioned anything about being pregnant and had only asked "My girlfriend got her period about 5 days early, 23 days after her last period began. Is this normal for teenage girls, and if so, what is likely to have caused it?"
If I had asked it that way, would you have even thought about pregnancy or just mentioned how it could have been caused by stress?

[arlandonbloom]

Your girlfriend doesn't sound like she is pregnant. Sometimes girls, even if their periods are exactly so many days apart, stress and life happens causing the period to either be late or early. You are doing everything right in terms of using protection and yes, you guys are young but if you are concerned and if she is concerned as well, she might want to get on birth control (if she is not already).

[MT96]

That helps ease my mind. Thank you!

[remar]

From your post I would have to agree with you. Your girlfriend is not pregnant and it was not implantation bleeding.
As long as condoms are used properly they are extremely effective. And, it does sound like you do use them properly.
Even though your girlfriend had regular periods in the past does'nt mean she won't have times where they're early or late. Stress, physical activity and her diet can throw her periods off track.