pregnancy or BCP symptoms?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-05-2004
pregnancy or BCP symptoms?
9
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 4:34pm
Okay, I feel like I am totally freaking out. I don't know if my mind is just getting away from me, or if I have real concerns. Here's the deal...

This is my 3rd month being on ortho-tricyclen lo. At the beginning of my current pill pack, I took my 4th active pill 8 hours late. My fiance and I had sex 2 days before taking that pill late, and for a week after that, we abstained from sex. Even after that week, we have used condoms. I have taken all of my other pills at the same time every night. But, I have been having some symptoms of pregnancy such as extremely sore nipples, nausea, and fatigue. Even though I have not really had these symptoms quite as strong before now, could they still be from my body adjusting to the hormones of my BCP? Or does it sound like a pregnancy situation?? Any encouragement or reassurances would be extremely helpful...I am really scared!!

SARA

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 6:16pm
Hi luvbert,

Hon, take step back and try to calm down. One pill 8 hours late shouldn’t be a big deal. You may be freaking yourself out. If you have been experiencing sore nipples, nausea, and fatigue as side effects on OTC-Lo they should be tapering off during your third pack and you say those symptoms are not as strong this time, right? AF should just be a few days away now. If you are really upset you could test now just for peace of mind and again if AF is late, but I think you are probably ok. Hang in there!

Hugs

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-05-2004
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 9:23pm
Thanks, Jill, for your quick response!! Just a couple more questions...I think I wrote it wrong in my post. This month the sore nipples, fatigue, etc. are stronger than previously...especially the sore nipples! Maybe I tend to overanalyze every change that happens with my body. Anyhow, could I take a test now and get a correct response? Today will be the 13th day of my pill pack.

Thanks again for the reassurance and for your patience!!

SARA

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 10:19pm
Hi luvbert,

I think it's a bit early to be testing. But hold on here… let’s try to analyze your situation: You’re concerned about taking your 4th pill late, right? If you had sex 2 days before that then his sperm would die within just a few hours unless they encounter your fertile cervical mucus and if you had been taking your pills correctly you shouldn’t have been fertile. So his sperm are dead before you take your 4th pill late. Let’s assume that late pill was enough to cause you to ovulate. I don’t think it would be enough, but let’s assume it was. You wouldn’t ovulate immediately. It would probably take at least several days. And, if I understand your posts correctly you have abstained or used condoms for all IC after day 2. If that’s the case then you should be very safe. If this is only your 3rd pack of OTC-Lo and you are still having side effects then it might not be the pill for you. I know it's not easy to wait. I would try to wait to see if AF shows and if she doesn't then test. But if it would make you feel better to test now then do it. Hang in there sweetie!

Hugs

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-05-2004
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 11:24pm
Okay, just one more question...

I took the 1st active pill of this month's pill pack at the right time, but is it possible that the 7 inactive days without hormones was too long of a time period without hormones, and I ovulated? I have no idea if this has bearing whatsoever, but my cycles before the pill were usually 29 - 30 days long. I know that no BC method is 100% except abstinence, but I just want to cover all bases I can.

Thanks again for your help!!!

SARA

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 04-21-2004 - 11:42pm
The length of your natural cycles should have no effect while you are on hormonal contraceptives. Your pill-period (actually withdrawal bleeding) will be determined by how your body reacts to the hormones in your pills. You are correct that no method of BC is 100% effective except abstinence. However, 21/7 regimen pills, if taken correctly, are 98-99% which is pretty close. You should have been well protected during the 7 placebo days between active pills.

Hugs

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-05-2004
Thu, 04-22-2004 - 6:13am
Thanks so much, Jill. I am going to try and calm down a bit, and just wait for AF to show. I would hate for AF to not show due to stress about whether or not she will show!!! Anyhow, I will be sure to keep you posted and thanks again!!!!

SARA

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 04-22-2004 - 8:27am

You know, stress can cause nausea and fatigue, and on occasion I've had sore nipples for no apparent reason....

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-05-2004
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 5:41pm
UPDATE!!

Okay, I know I first posted this a long time ago, but I just wanted to post an update. AF showed today! After about a week of really sore breasts, the soreness finally stopped, so that helped ease my mind a bit. Anyhow, just wanted post this....I know I have read other people's posts before and wondered what the outcome was. Thanks to everyone who encouraged me and gave me lots of good info!

SARA

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 10:36pm
Hi luvbert, welcome back!

Great news AF showing up! Thanks so much for the update. You're right, sometimes we never find out how a member's problem was resolved.

I'm so glad that all is well with you.

Hugs

      Jill