Re: Please Give Me Advice - I am SOOOO worried :-(

Posted By Jill on May 10, 1999 at 12:42:33
I have been on Ortho-Cyclen for almost four years and in the last month I have not missed any pills and took them within 1 1/2 hours- 2 hours of my designated time to take them.
I was suppossed to start my period this morning and when I put a tampon in and keep it in for a few hours, there is BARELY any bleeding.  As a matter of fact, if I don't put a tampon in, the blood never seems to come out of me. WHAT'S GOING ON?
I took a few pregnancy tests (EPT & First Response) and they both came back negative.  I had sex a few times this month and am concerned about pregnancy now.
I know it's common to bleed lightly on the pill but is it common to bleed this lightly????????  
Should I take more tests?  How do I make sure I am not pregnant?  
Should I get a blood test done?
If I went to an OBGYN, how far along would I have to be for them to confirm pregnancy?
I do not seem to have any other symptoms besides frequency in urination and I'm tired but I think it's because I'm so worried and I'm not sleeping well.
Last question:  Can stress affect your birth control pills causing you to miss a period or have a light one?  I ask becasue I just moved to another city, got a new job and have been worried about being pregannt.
Please answer my questions - I am starting to lose my mind :-(
Thank you sooooooooo much!

[Amei]

Posted By Amei on May 10, 1999 at 14:01:16
I am not a medical professional but this is what happened to me.  When I was on the pill I would have extremely light periods (just using minipads) most of the time but would alternate with heavier periods or no period at all.  
After trying for a while to get pregnant I succeeded (yeah!) and went to the OB/GYN when I was still less than 1 week late with my period.  The tests they use in the office are very sensitive and accurate.  I understand that the commercial tests aren't as sensitive and require that you wait a bit longer.  Your OB/GYN can always do a blood test if you want which is better than the urine tests but takes a couple of days.  
If you really suspect that you're pregnant be sure to see your OB as soon as possible for 2 reasons:  1)  if you decide to terminate the pregnancy it is easier to do now; and 2)  if you want to keep the baby you need to stop taking the pill and give up other substances that are very harmful to the embryo right now.  
Also, if it turns out that your not pregnant then you can stop stressing out over it and get back to a normal life.  
As to stress, speaking from personal experience, it can definitely affect all aspects of your life.  During periods of extreme stress (like losing a job and moving) I have had sleep disturbances, loss of appetite and changes in my cycle from ranging from changing the number of days to missing a period completely.  Try to relax and go see your doctor.  
Again, I'm not in the medical profession.  I base my comments above on my discussions with several doctors over the last few months and on what I've read in a score of pregnancy related books.  Good luck to you.  











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