Expert: Pat G - 4/12/2011

Question
hi. i've been so stressed about this. scaring the heck outta me. here's the deal, me and my bf don't usually go have sex w/o protection but this one night, well yeah we didnt but he pulled out wayyy before he came. I think that was around middle of march, 3rd week? I always had an irregular period. My last period was at 24th feb and now it's the 1st of april. I took a pregnancy test on the 28th march and it came out negative. Until now i still dont have my period. What's the deal here. am i just freaking out too much or what?I tested again last 4 days and it was still negative. so issit negative already? and i have nothing to worry about?

Answer
Hello, patricia,

First, I want to clear up some misunderstandings. Protection doesn't work. It may delay things, but that's about all it will do. And pulling out doesn't work, either. A man often leaves a drop of fluid, and that's all it takes to cause pregnancy.

Today is April 12. You're probably not pregnant. This is especially true if you are experiencing no symptoms. Tender breasts would be the most likely symptom. You might also experience increased appetite, and need more sleep.

Being under stress can also cause a woman to miss a period. So can a change in diet or exercise, or a long-term vegan diet. We can talk about this more if you like.

While it may be true that you aren't pregnant at the moment, as long as you continue to have sex, you will continue to live under the fear of pregnancy. You really should give that some thought, because you deserve better. You deserve a man who will respect you and your body and not put you at risk.

If you are pregnant, please don't even consider abortion. Abortion can kill you or leave you seriously disabled. It can also kill your future children or cause serious birth defects. There are better answers. There are organizations in many countries in the world that offer help and counseling. They can help any woman make a better life for herself and her child. If you need this information for your country, let me know where you live, and I'll see what I can find out.

Please stay safe.