symptoms of birth control or pregnancy

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
symptoms of birth control or pregnancy
6
Sat, 06-26-2004 - 3:45pm


Hello,

is this me having birth control symptoms?

so here's the deal I had sex twice in may the 21st and the the 27th he wore a condom and he pulled out to be extra safe. On the 22nd he went in a little and then I made him pull out he didnt have a condom on. So here is the deal I got my period on june7th and it was normal just like it always is. I even had clots like always do sorry tmi. Just to be safe I took a pregnancy test on the night of the15th and it came out negative. But im still worried I cant get it out of my mind. What are the chances I could be pregnant. My veins in my breast are super noticlbe but then again that might be in my head also my left breast is sore just on one side of it not the nipple justthe side in one spot. I dont know. I need help someone ease my mind. i just started birth control could this be sideeffects from that? please respond . Can birth control cause all these symptoms and make me think im pregnant?


Miss

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 06-26-2004 - 3:59pm
Hi Mitzyditzy, welcome!

If Aunt flow stopped by for her regular visit then I think you’re fine! How long have you been on birth control and what method/pill are you using? Hormonal contraceptives can cause side effects such and breast tenderness, nausea, and irregular bleeding during the first several cycles of use while your body is becoming adjusted to them. Any side effects should disappear by your 3rd or 4th cycle. If not, you have given that pill a good try and can ask your doc for a pill change. I think you’re just a bit freaked but you should be fine!

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Sat, 06-26-2004 - 4:09pm
Hey

Thanks jill you have really eased my mind. Im a college student and will be starting my second year in the fall so i was really freaking myself out! back to your question. I started the pill on the 13th so im in my third week im on othro tricyclen. I waas really freaked out. I know the chances of me being pregnant are so slim plus the negative pregnancy test should have eased my mind but I was so worried. Could my mind be playing tricks one me?

Another thing this board is so great i love how there are people who i can talk to and seem to care about what is going on. Thanks so much!

Missy
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 06-26-2004 - 4:26pm
Hi Mitzyditzy,

Women beginning OCs can experience side effects quite similar to pregnancy so don't freak on me, ok? If AF came you should be fine.

Ok, since you're new to hormonal contraceptives let me share some pointers about the things you should do to ensure you are using your method correctly and getting the maximum effectiveness from it.

This board considers taking combined oral contraceptives correctly to mean taking them on time (within +/-2 hrs. of your normal pill-time) and using back-up if you forget a pill or are sick and vomit or have diarrhea within 2 hours after taking your pill (considered a missed pill) and if you are taking medicines or supplements that could reduce the effectiveness of your pills. If you forget a pill or have been sick you should use back-up for at least 7 days afterward. If you are taking medicines or supplements then you should use back-up while taking them and for at least 7 days after taking the last dose. And, if you think you might have trouble remembering your pill-time you can set the alarm on a clock or watch or set a reminder message on your cell phone, computer or PDA to help remind you. Some things to remember when taking oral contraceptives:

• Combined oral contraceptives have a 4 hour window, progestin-only pills have a 1/2-1 hour window for on-time

• Medicines are typically antibiotics, antifungals, anticonvulsants and some other prescription drugs, if in doubt, check with the pharmacist. Over-the-counter medications like pain relievers or allergy medications do not change the effectiveness of the pill.

• Supplements may cause changes in the metabolism of the hormones without your knowledge. St. John's Wort has been known to cause pill failure, but because supplements are not regulated by the FDA, there is no systematic testing to determine which will compromise the effectiveness of the pill.

• You can also set your pill time at the same time as another activity that you do every day, whether it's brushing your teeth, watching a particular TV show, having breakfast...

• The patch and the ring have the same requirements as far as use of medications, though timing isn't an issue, nor is diarrhea or vomiting.

The pill, when taken consistently and correctly, is 99% effective. Anything that deviates from perfect use will reduce the effectiveness by an undetermined amount. The most important step you can take to make sure the pill is as effective as it can be is to take it at the same time every day.

Post from time to time and let us know how you’re doing, ok?

Good luck and Hugs,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Sat, 06-26-2004 - 4:44pm
Thanks so much Jill you are so great, you have totally eased my mind. Thanks for all the great tips and i will make sure to follow them. I really am appreciating all your advice. Its so hard to talk to parents about this stuff, its nice to have a place where you can be open and not afraid to talk about whats going on.

thanks so much i will keep posting!

Missy
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-26-2004
Sat, 06-26-2004 - 11:44pm
Hi! Just wanted to let you know you are deffinitly not the only one who does this... reading your posts is like something I could have written! Even though I take my pills very, very consistently and my boyfriend always pulls out, I get extremely paranoid about getting pregnant. To the point that I'm not able to enjoy my relationship at all because I'm so busy obsessing about things. I just finished my second year of college, and not at a point where pregnancy would be very unwelcome. So I'd literally be giving myself panic attacks, wondering if my boyfriend would stick by me, if our relationship was up to that, what our families would do, ect. Even while ON my period! I have come to the conclusion that being scared about pregnancy reflected a lot of my fears about my relationship in general, and all the goals I am pursuing. Because this was constantly upsetting me so much, my boyfriend and I talked about this a lot. We decided that it would be best for my peace of mind to use extra contraception ( condoms or spermicide). Even though this isn't rational, and I know that I'm safe with just the pill, he realized that its pretty hard for me to be rational about some things. And it actually helped me a lot, both to tell him what was going on with me, and to have him understand and be willing to work with me. I hope you can find something to give you peace of mind as well. Just let me reassure you that you'll be fine!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Sun, 06-27-2004 - 1:21am
Hi Shinebaby19

Thank you so much for the post at least i know im not the only one who worries so much. Im glad that i have meet someone who thinks like me. Im just like you im in my second year of college, and even though i got my period i still cant stop thinking about what if im still pregnant. I have so many goals that i havent even reached, and all i keep thinking about is how my life would be and how hard it would be to tell my parents. My b/f of a year and a month is awesome i talk to him and tell him how im feeling he understands, and he tells me to stop worrying but it just isnt enough. I got so paranoid that even after i got my period i took a pregnancy test thinking this would ease my mind. It was negative and it somewhat eased my mind. But the thought still lingers in my mind. i talkd to m b/f and we have decided not to have sex for a while because it causes so much stress. I just started the pill just in case i ever do get in a situation where i might want to have sex again. But i think we will be holding off for a while. thank you so much for understanding i would like to talk more if you would like i can give you my email address! If you want it just tell me. Thanks so much for the comfort and caring.

Thanks

Missy