cyst problem or pregnancy?

My last period was on July 7.  I am usually 28 days, and since 2 weeks ago, I have been having really bad cramps, unusual cravings, tender breasts, and my pelvic area is swollen.  I took a hpt, which was a bit early, and it showed negative, and then I took another one 3 days ago, again negative, but I noticed that the test was expired a month ago.  I have been spotting pink, brown, and red for the past 2 days, all together maybe 5 spots.  My Husband and I use the withdrawal method and he is REALLY careful.  Could this be a pregnancy?  Are these symptoms of a burst cyst?   I have a history of ovarian cysts on both ovaries?

[TrudieC]

Cysts can definitely affect your periods and can give you the symptoms you are describing.  It is imperative that you get to a doctor.  It could be an ectopic pregnancy as well and that is a medical emergency.  If you don't want to get pregnant withdrawal is not a safe birth control method.  You can still get pregnant from the pre-ejaculate.

[rosigirly]

THANKS, BUT IF I WERE EVEN TO HAVE AN ECTOPIC PREGNANCY DO YOU THINK THAT THE HPT WOULD SHOW NEGATIVE?  ALSO, I DO SEEM TO BE SPOTTING BRIGHT RED TODAY AS WELL, DO YOU THINK THAT IS IMPLANTATION BLEEDING?  I AM CONFUSED AND ALL THIS WAITING IT OUT IS GIVING ME ANXIETY.  ALSO I AM VERY DIZZY

ANY INPUT WOULD BE APPRECIATED

[Mandy2020]

I think you may be pregnant. I got the same symptoms when i discovered i was pregnant (not an etopic pregnancy tough). My advise to you is to take a pregnancy test. A lab test would be best.

My cyst was interfering with my pregnancy results (done by home test) which were showing negatiive all the time until i took a lab pregnancy test. I would also suggest you get an ultrasound and/or pelvic examination. In this way you can confirm whether its the cyst that is affecting you. It is also important to know what type of cyst you have.

Mandy