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The start of my most recent period was on Feb 26 - projected ovulation date being March 14, projected next period March 28 (via MyMonthlyCycles, where I have been keeping track of my period for 1 year). Average cycle - 30 days.
We had protected intercourse on March 3 and 24. The condom didn't break; slipped down maybe an inch but we pushed it right back up.
Now my period is 3 or 4 days late (depending if you count the 28th), with no usual signs of cramping etc that I normally get. Took two HPT's and both came out negative. Discharge looks normal, no tenderness of breasts or anything. I have had a little bit of an upset stomach but I think I may just be getting sick - I am under quite a bit of stress.
I know it's unlikely that I am pregnant, but I am paranoid since I can't afford to have a child right now. I have heard that stress really can throw off a regular period (I have been regular for 8 years now), but I have a hard time believing it since I am so paranoid... help? I don't know what's wrong with me!
Have a GYNO appt coming up in a month, but I'm the type of person who likes to know without going to the doc! It sure would be nice if my period would come!
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I did take a pregnancy test yesterday (first response, the digital one) and thankfully it did say 'no'.
September 29, 2009 - 9:20amthank you! :)
This Comment
Hi, last month I missed a lot of birth control pills. Instead of trying to figure out how many I should take, I thought I should just wait and start my new pack once I got my period the next month..(which is now this month) Since last month, I did have unprotected sex, but used the pull-out method. I'm now a week late from when I should've gotten my period and started the new pack. I read somewheres that it sometimes is normal for women to miss their periods after coming off of birth control. Not sure if it is true?
September 28, 2009 - 10:42amThis Comment
Hi, Anon, and welcome to EmpowHer. Thanks so much for your question.
Yes, it's quite common for a woman's period to be irregular after coming off birth control. Some women spot, some have a heavier flow; some go late, and some miss a period entirely. It sounds as though this is what is happening with you. Birth control pills contain hormones, and when we go off those hormones, it can take a little while four our body's regular hormones to catch up to the game and get back on schedule. If you are worried that you might be pregnant, you can always take an HPT test to be sure, but from what you describe I would be 99% sure that it's the fact you stopped your pills. Try not to stress about it too much, as that can delay things also. Just use another form of birth control until your period comes and then you should be able to start in with your new pack.
September 29, 2009 - 9:15amThis Comment
Okay, Here's thes full story. I'm 20 years old. I have been on Birth Control pill for the first time for 3 months now. For the year or so that I have been tracking my period, I'm rarely off more than 2 days from a regular cycle. My last period started September 1st and today is the 28th. I had unprotected (other than BC) sex on Sept. 6th. My period ended earlier that day or late on the 5th. I know I would not have been ovulating then since I'm regular, but even more certain because my Doctor told me that my birthcontrol would have not caused me to ovulate anyways if taken correctly. I contacted my pharmacist and doctor about taking Plan B. Both said I should be fine and not to take it. I even called the Plan B and the operator said it sounded like I didn't need it. (I thought that was weird and figured she'd try to sell it to me haha). Anyways, so yeah for an entire week around the 14th I had severe abdominal pain and constipation. I was VERY stressed, the most I believe I have ever been. Stress was about being pregnant, family, work and school issues. The next week I relaxed a little more and it seemed to have went away. Now today I am due for my period and I'm late. I took 2 home preg. tests on the 26th and they were both negative. Surely my doctor wouldn't have told me not to take plan B if I didn't need it because I explained EVERYTHING to her and I was willing to take it within the 72 hours. I dont know what to do....
Thanks for anything you have to offer!
September 28, 2009 - 6:16amThis Comment
I agree with your doctor and the Plan B operator...and I hope you are able to relax and perhaps practice some stress reduction techniques.
What you engaged in on September 6th would be considered protected sex (from pregnancy; not STD/STI...sexually transmitted diseases or infections). The pill, when taken consistently and correctly, is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. The only better "odds" you get is 100% if practicing abstinence.
If I may be so bold to say---it sounds like you may not be emotionally ready to have sex, if you are this worried about consequences that you are calling so many health care providers, and when they were not reassuring enough, you took not one but two home pregnancy tests, and then you are asking others online (I assume we are not the only one?). Don't get me wrong---I'm glad you came to us, but please know that I am concerned about your mental and emotional well-being, and not about a possible pregnancy.
Your doctor is right about birth control, and perhaps it would help you if you understood how hormonal contraception works in your body. It works in one of three ways:
1. Preventing ovulation (maturation and release of an egg)
2. Altering the lining of the uterus so it is inhabitable for a fertilized egg
3. Altering the cervical mucus so it is difficult for a sperm to "swim" through, to get into your uterus
The synthetic hormones in your pill "cause" these things to happen by basically telling your body to stop production of its natural hormones (the ones that instruct your body to begin maturing an egg, to then release it, and cause your uterine lining to thicken for a fertilized egg, and also change the cervical mucus to help sperm travel more easily into uterus). The pill essentially stops your body from all of these functions by way of introducing synthetic hormones into your body, so that your body does not produce its own natural hormones to the extent that the above functions occur. Does this make sense?
If you are truly worried about the pill not protecting you from pregnancy, and I'm sure you would agree that all of this worry, anticipation and talk about pregnancy has caused you more grief than needed...you have a few options. If you do feel that you are mentally and emotionally ready for sex, you can double up on birth control by either:
1. Using your pill perfectly, and also using a condom (either female condom or male condom)
2. Using your pill perfectly, and use the Withdrawal or "pull out" methods
(Go to Planned Parenthood's Birth Control site to review the "how to" of the above)
Good luck
September 29, 2009 - 12:13pmThis Comment
Well since my post I have found out that I am not pregnant from my doctor. I am emotionally ready for sex. I have no problem having a baby if that happened, I do however, worry about telling my family and my boyfriends family because they are verryyy conservative. Eventually they would get over it, but since I still live at home, the situation would be akward. My boyfriend and I are very serious and are willing to be great parents. I freaked out because it was the first time he has ever "went" without a condom on and that just scared me because I didn't really want to find out that my birthcontrol was not the 99% effective. Haha. Thanks for your information.
October 1, 2009 - 8:45amThis Comment
This is amy again, I got my period today. Thank you to everyone for there incouraging words! this site is so great for support!
September 25, 2009 - 10:37amThis Comment
Amy, that's great news! I know you are so relieved.
September 25, 2009 - 5:50pmThis Comment
Thank you Diane. I hope it will come and ease my worries.
If not, I'll take a test after a few more days.
September 25, 2009 - 1:22amThis Comment
My fingers are crossed for you. =)
September 25, 2009 - 9:27amThis Comment