Birth Control or Pregnancy?

[JodyJane56]

Hi, I have a question concerning the side effects I am experiencing on birth control and how likely it is that i could be pregnant. I began Yaz Birth Control Sunday January 4th (i'm a sunday starter). My period began the week before, Sunday Dec 28th. I had unprotected sex Thursday January 1st late in the evening. I am normally very regular, about a 28-30 day cycle. I see my fertile days are thursday 8th-monday 12th. I know sperm could potentially have lasted that long if i ovulated very early, but would the birth control have stopped ovulation?

I have been taking the pill regularly, but have been experiencing light bleeding for over a week now, and today I am experiencing cramps. According to a natural 28 day cycle, i should get a period on sunday the 25th, and a pregnancy test last night came up negative. My breasts feel a little swollen but not tender, but they normally feel much more tender before my period when i'm not on birth control. I don't seem to have any other signs of pregnancy, besides bleeding, which seems to be too heavy to be implantation bleeding (light pink and brown). The bleeding i'm experiencing is darker red with some small clotting.

What are the chances that my birth control stopped me from ovulating?

Thank you!

Jody

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Well we usually recommend a back up method for two weeks after initiating pills, so it is a bit risky, but theoretically if you started your pack and took them as directed on the Sunday after or during your cycle. you should be OK.

You could start testing for pregnancy on the day you expect your natural cycle,  If that is negative, you could repeat in one week.  Don't stop your pills unless you have a positive test, as that will just mess up the next cycle!  If you get through a second cycle and have a normal period you can definitely relax.

It sounds to me like you are having breakthrough bleeding rather than implantation bleeding, but you should probably do a few more tests to be sure--alternatively you could do a blood test on the day your natural period is anticipated.

Good luck!
Dr B

[JodyJane56]

Oh also, what is the date that i should be looking at to take my pregancy test? My white pills for my pack begin Wednesday Jan 28th, but a natural 28 day cycle would mean my natural period would have began Sunday Jan 25th. Would i be able to detect pregnancy on a pregnancy test on the 25th? Especially since the chances of me being pregnant would mean that i would have ovulated very early, and therefore i would be able to detect implantation earlier, right?