Could I Be Pregnant?: How To Know If You Should Be Worried
Monday, September 19, 2011
By
Your period is late. The more you think about it, the more you convince yourself that you’re definitely pregnant. Even if your period isn’t late, the risk of pregnancy weighs on you like that bad hangover from last weekend. Turn off “16 and Pregnant” because it’s not helping. But before you start confusing drinking too much the night before with morning sickness, and your undying need for a pint of ice cream with cravings, it’s best to know the facts.
The symptoms of early pregnancy are extremely similar to the symptoms of your menstrual cycle, which is why you can’t be totally sure of either until you take a test. Sore or enlarged breasts, bloating, nausea, and fatigue are all common to both. Just because you really wanted those cheese fries does not mean you are three weeks along or eating for two (though if you really want them, go for it, girl). It’s common for PMS to heighten your appetite, and believe it or not, worrying about pregnancy will only make it worse. Stress can absolutely cause you to miss a period, so to avoid confusion, calm down.
To prevent any further freak-outs, here are eight sex scenarios that will help curb your nerves, rated on a scale from one to five—one being “chill out” and five being a potential Juno situation. On the bright side, Ellen Page looks super cute with a baby bump, and you can always take a test or see your doctor to know for sure because worrying never helped anyone.
I always use a condom, but my period is late.
Worry Level: 1
Our bodies don’t always run like clockwork. Sometimes they miss the alarm, oversleep, and are late for class. Just because your period is late doesn’t mean you have to worry as long as you’ve used protection.
“Only two out of 100 women whose partners use condoms consistently and correctly for a year will become pregnant,” says Dr. Vanessa Cullins, Vice President for Medical Affairs at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, who also explains that stress, illness, excessive exercise, and not enough food could throw off your menstrual cycle causing your period to come late or not at all.
Condoms alone are 98-percent effective when used correctly; however, it’s possible for them to tear or slip off during intercourse. This is why it’s a good idea to use a backup. If you’re worried that a condom isn’t enough protection or just want to ease your mind, add an additional method of birth control to your sex regimen, like the Pill.
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About the Author
Biography
Mariel Loveland is in love with writing. She recently graduated from SUNY Purchase College wtih a major in Creative Writing and a minor in Studio Composition. There she was the editor-in-chief of The Independent, her campus's only print news source. Currently, she runs a blog entitled "Writing the Ship" (http://www.writing-the-ship.blogspot.com) where she documents her life as a recent graduate. When she is not writing words, she can be found writing songs for her punk band and playing guitar loudly in the basements of seedy (and sometimes not-so-seedy) NYC clubs. In the past, Mariel has interned for Lucky Magazine in the Online Editorial Department and Columbia Records as part of their A&R and Digital Research team as well as contributing to other on-campus publications. In her spare time, she dabbles in graphic design, fiction writing, and window shopping on the internet. Currently, she works at Babble.com where she handles all their social media.
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Comments
I've also read that can enhance the yeast infections problems. Still, I don't think this should be a problem. One can find a successful treatment of yeast infection these days, there are so many options for that.
Condoms are 85 percent effective....
My period is now ten days late. I haven't really been worrying about it because my Fiance and I want a baby. We do have unprotected sex but we have before and I've never gotten pregnant. What are the chances that I would be now?! Haha. I'm just wondering if there's any other reason besides stress that it would be late? Please help!
Well I am 17 about to be 18 and my ex boyfriend is about to be 23. He and I were not together long but continued to be sexually active after the break up. I have PCOS and I always believed it was hard to get pregnant so it was the last of my worries. I have not been taking my birth control at all because I didn't want to have a period not to mention I can never remember to take it daily. We used a condom once and I've known him for about 13 weeks. After all the times we've slept together I never felt "pregnant" but all of a sudden this past week I've been paranoid that I may be carrying his seamonkey.... I am absolutely terrified because he does not have a job, we aren't together, he smokes weed, has no car and pretty much no initiative in life. He goes state to state and I'm afraid he may up and leave again. Someone please help me out? Suggestions. Advise. Comments. Anything. I don't want criticism. Please and thank you):
LOL
Thank you, you have saved me from worrying multiple times. We always use protection yet I still worry even before my period is missed. No worrying for me now.
A couple quick corrections:
1. "Since sperm can live up to a week inside of you, and the unfertilized egg can survive up to two days after ovulation, you can become pregnant even when you’re not ovulating and even if you have not had sex during ovulation (like when you’re on your period). Pre-cum can frequently contain sperm, which is why the pull-out method is ineffective."
First, an egg is viable for 12-24 hours. Not two days. (1)
Also, pre-cum does not typically contain sperm. The only exception would be if a man has not urinated since he last ejaculated. Pre-cum in and of itself does not contain sperm; it's simply a fluid that flushes out the urethra to prepare it for semen. If the urethra contains sperm prior to ejaculation (ie if a man has not urinated since he last ejaculated), the pre-cum will contain sperm. If not, there will be no sperm. (2) (3)
To clarify, the pull out method is still problematic because:
a) Due to stress, poor diet, sporadic exercise, sleep deprivation, and other factors that are almost inherent to the college experience, most women in this age group will have irregular menstrual cycles meaning that ovulation can be difficult to predict,
b) College aged men typically lack the self control to consistently pull out so close to ejaculation, and
c) Pre-cum can definitely still transmit STIs.
"This pill must be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex—the sooner the better"
This isn't entirely accurate. The FDA has approved Plan B to reduce the risk of pregnancy within the first 72 hours after unprotected intercourse; however, it is still effective (although significantly less effective) for up to five days following intercourse. Additionally, the FDA recently approved a new morning after pill called Ella which is approved to work for five days after unprotected intercourse. (4)
Although these are all small errors, if this cite intends to be a legitimate health resource for college aged women, it would be helpful if more fact-checking were involved when writing articles.
See the following sites for more information:
1. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/gettingpregnant/understandingovulation....
2. http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/0922.html
3. http://www.scarleteen.com/article/advice/can_pre_ejaculate_cause_pregnancy
4. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/emergency-contraception-m...
Could i be pregnant if i just taken my birth control but right after thrown it up, and then have sex thinking its all fine i could just take another one the next day? JW anyone thats know please tell me ASAP
For those worried about pregnancy, I recommend the Implanon. It's a small rod that's implanted subdermally in your arm. It stays there for 3 years and releases a constant stream of hormones--it's something like 99.8% effective. I had issues with the Pill making me yeast infection prone and, because I vomit easily, worrying me when I threw up. This way I don't have those worries, which is nice. Implanon + doubling up with a condom for STD prevention = no pregnancy or infections!
mariel, i think you're a really good writer. you always tackle tough issues. i look forward to your HC articles to come!
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