Freaking Out!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-01-2003
Freaking Out!!
5
Fri, 05-21-2004 - 2:49pm
Just a quick question....

In regards to PMS symptoms, typically I get cramps the first day of my period. Well it's a week before my period and I have had cramping and constipation this week...nothing severe and they come and go. Now, I am on BCP and I take them correctly but my fiance and I use that as our protection. Do you think I just have PMS symptoms (my period is due Wednesday) or should I be worried about something else? Part of my think's it is just me being paranoid and my mom agrees with me. What are your thoughts?

For some reason, ever since I found this board I have become so paranoid about my pills! I take them the same time everday (I set an alarm so I remember) and yet all you read about are the ones who get pregnant while on the pill! Are they really that effective?

And I just read somewhere else on ivillage that constipation is a sign of pregancy! I had sex on Saturday and my period is due this coming Wednesday. I also have a call into my Dr's office. Am I being paranoid??!!!

Thanks, Katie

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2000
In reply to: klo1335
Fri, 05-21-2004 - 3:02pm
At this point, yes, you are being a *bit* paranoid, but I've BTDT.

I replied to your previous post, but I'll reiterate it here.

Constipation can be caused by many things, including what you've eaten, how much water you've consumed, and stress. If you have taken your pill within about 2 hours either way, have not had diarehha or vomiting, and haven't taken medication which could compromise the pill's effectiveness (you can check Eckerd's drug interaction tool at http://www2.eckerd.com/content.asp?content=pharmacy/druginteraction) you are probably NOT pregnant.

The reason we hear pill failure stories is because that's NOT the norm. It's like the old joke "dog bites man" isn't news, but "man bites dog" is. And, likely some of those pill failure with perfect use stories really don't represent perfect use. If you question some women farther, stuff comes out like "I took it perfectly, except for those one or two times I was late by 6 hours" or somesuch. The pill has undergone rigorous testing, with FDA oversight. They couldn't claim the 97-99% effectiveness rate unless it had been clinically demonstrated.

There's no harm in calling your doctor, but if you have taken your pill properly, there's really no reason to freak over some unexpected PMS and a little constipation. My advice, a hot bath, lots of water, and some relaxation!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-01-2003
In reply to: klo1335
Fri, 05-21-2004 - 3:18pm
Thanks!

It's just that I enjoy having sex w/o condoms and don't want to stop...it's sooo much better for me :)

It's funny cause I went to my regular doctor on Monday for a physical and felt fine then. However, on tuesday I started to feel constipated and then on Thursday I just started getting cramps. At first it didn't bother me but the more I think about it the worse the symptoms get. I guess the mind is a powerful thing, right? When I don't think about it...the symptoms go away.

Thanks for you support, I appriciate it!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-01-2003
In reply to: klo1335
Sun, 05-23-2004 - 8:47am
Yep....still a little freaked out. My period is due to come on Wednesday and I have made myself so crazy that I think I had a panic attack on Friday! I called my Gyno and told her and she said that unless I skipped a period, which I haven't yet then there is nothing to worry about. But I am making myself sick with worry. For the past few days I have had a white discharge...does this mean my pills don't work anymore? I haven't had sex since 2 weeks ago....last saturday. Oh lord, I am really nervous and scared!


Edited 5/23/2004 9:01 am ET ET by klo1335
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2004
In reply to: klo1335
Sun, 05-23-2004 - 9:19pm
hmm just throwing in my two cents here- but remember stress also causes your period to be late.....you worrying yourself crazy can delay your period! if you are that scared, when your period is due, take a HPT. back when i was 17 and just using condoms i made mysself so nervous one month i forced myself to take an HPT and it was negative, i was sooo relieved. and the next day i started my period lol best of luck.

crystal

getting married may 15, 2005 :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-01-2003
In reply to: klo1335
Mon, 05-24-2004 - 9:24am
Just an update...I have stopped freaking out and once I did this my cramps and everything went away. It's funny how PMS can make a normally calm person anxious and paranoid. THANKS!!!!