Dear Counselor, I am a girl of 16. For two month now, I have missed my periods. I am worried I may be pregnant. What are some of the symptoms of pregnancy?
Written by Counselor at SchoolNet on 9th April, 2009
The onset and degree of pregnancy symptoms vary within women. Some women experience them within days of conception others take much longer. Some of the pregnancy symptoms include:
(i) Nausea and vomiting: Many women experience illness in the morning (morning sickness) and others feel nausea throughout the day.
(ii) Breast tenderness: Due to the increasing amount of HCG hormone that begins at implantation, the breasts may become very tender and may start to enlarge. The veins in the breasts may become more visible. The nipples may start to darken in colour, become more erect and extremely sensitive.
(iii) Feeling tired/Sluggish 
uring pregnancy, the body goes through major hormonal changes. The temperature becomes higher due to the amount of progesterone circulating through the body making the pregnant woman feel sluggish.
(iv) Frequent urination: Pregnancy causes the uterus to swell and to start enlarging for the growing fetus. The uterus puts pressure on the bladder causing the feel for the need for more frequent urination.
(v) Missed periods: There is no ovulation during pregnancy therefore a pregnant woman misses her menstrual periods.
(vi) Irritability: Many pregnant women as easily irritated as a result of the hormonal changes and the need to put up with all the pregnancy symptoms.
(vii) Heartburn: Pregnancy hormones will slow down bowel functions to give maximum absorption time of vitamins and nutrients. The stomach may not empty as fast which increases the stomach acid.
Just missing your period for 2 month does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. It is normal for young girls not to menstruate regularly as their bodies are still growing. Menstruation is affected by so many factors like stress, emotional ups and downs, sickness, nutrition, fear, anxiety to mention but a few.
However, if you have a number of the above symptoms, you need to go to a health centre for a pregnancy test.