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: 7/2/2008 Subject: could i be pregnant?
Question ok i had unprotected sex twice and 5 days after that i started my period. it only lasted 2 days instead of its normal 7. my period is never irregular. 10 days after i had sex i went to the doctor he did a pg test and it came back negative. but there are some people worried that it wasnt accurate because i only told the doc about the first time i had sex but not the second. i was convinced that i wasnt, but since then my breasts have gotten really tender and swollen and you can also see like all of the veins. and ive been having some cramping right below my belly button. i have also been eating a ton and when i dont i get really lightheaded. i have also been getting lightheaded when i stand up. i dont think im necessarily gaining weight but my stomach is really tight and i have had to use the restroom alot. There is no way i could be pregnant though is there? thanks for your help!"
Answer Dear Bekah,
So your doctor did not know it had only been 10 days since the most recent unprotected sex occurred? That is too early for a pregnancy test to be accurate.
For instance, it says this on a medical website:
"Blood tests can detect a pregnancy earlier than a home pregnancy test. They can detect it about 7-12 days from possible conception"
But conception is not the same day as the day you had sex. It can be up to 5 days between sex and conception, which is why the best time to test is when at least 2 weeks (14 days) have passed since the date of sexual activity.
If it has been at least 14 days now, you can just get a home pregnancy test at the drug store, instead of getting a doctor's appointment. Those tests are pretty accurate.
You could call the doctor's office and ask to speak to either the doctor or a nurse. You could explain the situation with the two dates of unprotected sex and see if they want you to redo the pregnancy test. They might say that the dates were close enough that the test was accurate for both days of unprotected sex, or they might say you need another test.
