AboutDeborah Expertise I can answer questions about pregnancy symptoms, contraception, abortion, adoption,and
teen parenthood. Specifically, I can give up to date, accurate medical information, latest
studies as well as statistics pertaining to health issues surrounding pregnancy, and factors
to be considered before deciding to become a teen parent.
Experience I have answered over 3000 questions in this area on other health sites, most in the area of teen pregnancy.
Education/Credentials I have a bachelor's Degree in Biology, and am halfway through a Master's Degree, also in Biology. I have access to and read many of the top medical journals, from which I also get the best, most thorough and accurate to answers to pressing medical and health related questions.
Past/Present Clients ehealth over 3000 posts
pro-choice talk over 6000 posts
Expert: Deborah Date: 6/30/2008 Subject: Confused about pregnancy
Question This is going to be a long story. A while back my girlfriend and I decided to start having sex. We always used a condom and never had any problems. About a 3 weeks ago, she started taking birth control pills for extra protection. After having taken 5 I believe, she stopped because she began to not feel well and thought that it was because of the pills. The day that she stopped taking the pills I penetrated her without a condom for about 20 seconds or so. After that, we slapped on a condom and had intercourse. As I mentioned before, she had not been feeling well before we had this "unprotected sex". Her mom found out about the pills and recommended that she continued to take them. So after a day off of the pills (i think it was a day), she took two more and picked up where she had left off. That was 3 days ago. Today, my girlfriend has been feeling sick, achey, she's had headaches, body aches, and general flu symptoms minus the throwing up. Oh, I forgot to mention: during the time that she missed her pills, she began bleeding. Now I know that women go though withdrawal bleeds, but I always thought that it was after having taken the pills for many years. This is her very first pack of pills. I know that all of the symptoms that she is having could be related to pregnancy AS WELL AS the flu, so I'm asking what you think it might be. I'm also wondering about the bleeding. I know that it could also be implantation bleeding, but she had this for a few days and she said that it wasn't light or spotty. So is this bleeding implantion bleeding, withdrawal bleed, or the "fake" period that you get when you're on birth control? And how likely is it that she is pregnant? And, because this is her first pack of pills, do you have any idea when her next period may be? I have a feeling that I won't know if she's missed her period for a while because I've read that the pills may mess up your actual period, and it could come later or earlier depending on how your body reacts. I'm just nervous. I'm also afraid to tell her that she might be pregnant because I'm scared for both of us. Thank you for your time.
Answer Dear David,
You are amazingly knowledgeable about birth control! I am very impressed.
The symptoms are definitely, without a doubt, from the pill. It would be way too early for her to be having pregnancy symptoms like that.
You are correct, the bleeding was "withdrawal bleeding" from stopping the pill.
As for her period, since all periods are "fake" on the pill, they should start whenever she takes wither the placebo pills for 7 days, or stops the pills for 7 days. I don't know how it works with the particular pills she is using. The fake period is actually withdrawal bleeding.
So, since you are right about not knowing if she's missed her "period" or not, it would be good to keep a home pregnancy test handy, in case you are really worried either now or in the future.
There's almost no chance that she is pregnant now, but by all means have her take a test to put your mind at ease, if you want.
If I've missed anything in your question, please write back.
