Could I be pregant?

[LadyNatsukashii]

I am 26, I've been vegan for a year, I went vegan when I met my fiance last year, he's 28. We've been trying to conceive since we met, but he's supposedly sterile from Stage 4 Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma, that in his treatment was exposed to radiation; which caused his sterility.

I've heard of the body healing itself, and I am a believer in that, especially since I met him.

I have always been like clockwork in my cycle, the 8th or so my little red sister shows up and visits for 4-5 days, and take off back to the land of little red sisters. My last cycle was May 8th-12th. 

I have not seen any spotting or any signs of this this month, and believe me, I've been looking. I know my body fluxed for a few months when I first went vegan, and I was late a few months after that, but it's become a normal thing once more. I visited a physician, who told me this was very normal, and in the future if I feel this could be happening, I should take an at home test.

I first noticed than change on the 12th of June, thinking it was odd my cycle hadn't started, I took 2 at home tests 3 days ago that both came up negative. which is odd and puzzling, since I am very normal now.

I have noticed breast tenderness, increased fatigue, my breakouts are more pronounced than they were on my normal cycle, and I've noticed I am lactating more than normal (It's a mystery to me as well, and has been happening since I was 16, so for 10 years now, but never this much or, for that matter, every day; I was told this was due to birth control, but I have been off that since 2 years ago) I have a few cravings but nothing more than my normal favorites, I noticed a bit of moderate cramping last night, thinking I was going to start my cycle this morning, I went to the restroom this morning to find no spotting or any indications that my cycle had started.

I would love some input on this, I am a bit confused, as I have no other indications or solid proof I could be pregnant.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Sabrina-Marie

[OdinsMommy0409]

You could always get a Beta test done to confirm a pregnancy. I had a chemical pregnancy in March but ended up with a 21 day luteal phase as it took a long time for my period to start. I had negative betas by 16 DPO. I've known men who've had cancer and high-dose chemo and radiation who went on to have biological children (one had Stage 3a Hodgkins, another had recurrent Stage 2 Lymphoma, and another with Stage 3 testicular cancer). Unless your fiance has had his semen tested, I wouldn't assume he is sterile even if it is likely. 

[LadyNatsukashii]

I looked into the beta test, and the results are a bit confusing.

Is it a home pregnancy test? Because the way they explain it, that's what it sounds like.

Sorry if that's a stupid question, this is the first time I have encountered this, and I really don't have anyone else I can ask.

[OdinsMommy0409]

No, a Beta test is a blood test so it's far more sensitive than a pregnancy test as you don't have to worry about dilution from urine. It measures Hcg in your blood so is more sensitive. And, I would still recommend having your fiance's fertility tested. I know it can change over time, but you'll have more understanding of your fertility as a couple. 

[LadyNatsukashii]

Oh ok :)

I'll go research places in my ares that offer those kinds of things to unemployed students.

I'm not covered under his medical until we get married in September, and his medical doesn't cover fertility testing as it's not "vital to sustain life" they say.

[34me]

I would do as the pp suggested.  My 3 neg tests is 17.5 years old.  It took the blood test to confirm.

[Jaimee]

Welcome to MDC LadyNatsukashii!  

CD 1 5/8

CD 17-19 assumed ovulation based on average 12-14 day LP

CD 31 expected AF

CD 53 HPT-

CD 56 today

Well, if you did ovulate back in May around the expected time you would be 7ish weeks pregnant by now.  That is certainly far enough along that HPT's would be 99% accurate.  But as pp's have mentioned a very small percentage of women do not test positive on HPT's and require a blood test to confirm.  The beta test a pp referred to measures the amount of hCG in your blood vs. an HPT which measure the presences or absence of hCG in your urine.  The amount of hCG can tell you a little bit about how far along you might be (if you are indeed pregnant), but you may want to opt for an early ultrasound for dating purposes so that you get an accurate due date.

There are some other possibilities than pregnancy.  One is that your ovulation was extremely delayed.  Many things can delay ovulation like illness, injury, travel, stress, strenuous exercise, diet changes, etc.  Did anything happen in May that stands out?   Have you lost or gained weight since becoming vegan?  Progesterone and estrogen are stored in fat so too much or too little of it can affect ovulation and your LP length.  Way too little fat can prevent ovulation all together.  I know you said you've been regular for a bit now, so has anything else changed?   Another thing that can prevent bleeding is a corpus luteum cyst.  They are benign and usually clear up on their own without interference, but it can take weeks.  

If your gut tells you that something other than delayed ovulation is occurring then definitely go in for blood work and a possible ultrasound.  Often you can make use of Planned Parenthood or similar organizations for free or a greatly reduced fee based on your income.  If you're fine with waiting I don't think there is any harm in that as long as you take precautions with your lifestyle in case you are indeed pregnant (like avoiding alcohol, OTC drugs, caffeine, high impact sports, raw fish, etc.)

Good luck and keep us updated!

Edited by Jaimee - 7/3/11 at 4:42pm