[kessie]

So I have been on the pill for a few months now and I'm sure that everything is fine (in fact all signs point to everything being completely fine, and to me being completely paranoid for no reason) but I have this fear that I'm pregnant. I am actually currently in a long distance relationship, so the last time I had sex was at the end of April--but April wasn't such a great month for me, pill-wise. I took it every day, but at drastically different times. I usually try to take it in the morning but I often forgot until the afternoon/evening, including once when I believe I was at peak ovulation. I have since gotten my period, but I have heard that some small percent of women get their periods while pregnant.

I feel edgy and bloated and fat, and occasionally a bit nauseous (although later in the day usually, not in the morning...) and I felt this way while on the pill, which I think is supposed to stop PMS symptoms and therefore made me nervous that I was pregnant. What do you guys think?

I really can't be pregnant, I'm absolutely terrified. I'm from a religious background, so there is such a taboo around all of this. I'm even nervous to look up "can you have your period during pregnancy" or "can you PMS on the pill" on google because I don't want someone from my family to see it in the computers history. Please help!

[ginger22]

Well I'm not too experienced with this kind of stuff but I've been curious about the pill lately (i'm about to start taking it) so i looked some stuff up that might help you.

first of all: Can you be pregnant and still have a period?

"To start with, always remember that pregnancy and periods can never go along simultaneously. If you are indeed pregnant, technically, you cannot get your periods. Missing your period is actually the first sign of pregnancy. Bleeding in early pregnancy is a common occurrence, but this does not signal a true menstrual cycle."

So I guess you can still have your period but it won't be at all like normal unless your whole life you've had a really wacked out period then it would be hard to tell. lol.

second: can you PMS on the pill?

"While some women find relief from PMS through use of the pill, others experience side effects that mimic PMS. These side effects of bloating, breast tenderness and moodiness may last the entire month, or may just occur at the usual PMS time in the week or two before the period begins."

so i hope i helped a little bit =/ ... good luck!

[kessie]

K, so thanks a lot actually, the PMS symptoms were mainly towards the end of my cycle, so thats good...my period has come since I last had sex, it was just really short and really light. That's hopefully pill related though...honestly, thank you so much for looking that up for me. Isn't it horrible that I'm scared to look that up myself?

[ginger22]

haha! actually, no. I do the same thing. I'm like afraid to look certain stuff up (particularly related to birth control/sex type things) because I don't want my parents to see. I'm not from a very religious family but they will assume all kinds of crazy things sometimes. lol. mind if i ask you a question? lol. coming from a family like that how did you like decide to have sex? like I am literally afraid to have sex because I dont want my parents to find out and be disappointed in me (i've never had sex but I've been with this guy for over a year and we've like talked about it) is it weird that i'm asking you questions in your post? haha

[kessie]

haha, no it's fine. my family is actually fairly relaxed about a lot of things and they believe in making your own choices and your own mistakes, i just dont need them knowing certain things that the world im from doesnt approve of. i love my boyfriend, and i decided that, although i was not sure if i was going to marry him (im only 19, after all) i knew that i wanted to share that with him and i dont regret my decision at all. i do have a bit of religious guilt (i do believe, although im not sure what or how much, haha, i guess you could say im still finding myself...) and a lot of paranoia around pregnancy, i love being close with him in a different and very special way. they tell the truth when they say "sex is a beautiful thing, dont waste it"--im not pushing abstinence, but make sure you really want to do that with whoever you are with. if you are really ready, i dont think that there is anything to be afraid of. just be discreet and careful with birth control. its your life, your relationship, and your body. trust yourself to know whats right for you and when.

[ginger22]

thank you so much =) ... it's nice to hear that from someone. lol. it's nice to not have someone automatically say how horrible and stupid it is to have sex before marriage so I thank you.

[WildChild]

You may have to try different varieties of the pill to find what works best for you. "Side effects" are actually effects other than what you are taking it for and vary from person to person. Exersize and diet can affect the so called PMS. A good walk or run can often make a big difference.

[valorie1]

In my experience, and in the experience of most women I know, the pill does not end PMS symptoms, but could tend to exacerbate them.

My typical PMS on every hormone-based contraceptive I tried (and I experimented with several brands and formulas) involved an average of 10 days of PMS, severe cramps, headaches back pain, leg pain and a less hearty immune system.

After 10 years of trying I quit using this method altogether and began natural fertility management.

If you are having that much discomfort, you should see your physician and also might want to consider another option.