Expert: Norman Solberg - 7/22/2009

Question
June 27 saturday and, 28 sunday(2009) I had unprotected sex and my bf ejaculated inside me.It was at the very, very end of my period there was no bleeding present during intercourse but the next day there was some spotting. That Sunday night I started my first pack of yaz birth control. I have never been on birth control before. For the last three weeks I had a feeling that I could be pregnant. The first week I had naeusa. I felt very hungry and if I didnt eat I would pass out, but at the same time If I did I'd throw up. I work in a daycare and have to change diapers, something thats never ever bothered me before, during these past 3wks I gag at the smells. Also I've been having diarrhea. My bowels have always been very regular and these past three weeks I'm either constipated or running to the bathroom. I'm extremely exhausted. All I want to do is sleep. My breasts are also sore, and I'm experiencing some cramping and "period" like achiness in my abdomen. My appetite has also increased with cravings even when I know I'm not hungry. I stopped the yaz with 4 active pills to go. What would be the last active pill I have some light pinkish discharge when I wipe. Is that withdrawal bleeding from stopping the pill three days ago? What are the chances that I could be pregant? I'm confused because I know birth control pill symptoms are similar to pregnancy symptoms.

Answer
Hi Marie,
You're right that symptoms of birth control pills can be similar to pregnancy, but they're usually much less pronounced.  If you got pregnant the day before you started the pill, you wouldn't get any symptoms of it for at least 2 weeks.  Perhaps you were pregnant before, and it wasn't a real period.  It's all fairly confusing.  I would recommend a pregnancy test to help to know.  If it's negative and the symptoms are from the pill, they should disappear fairly soon now that you're off the pill.