Family Planning Plus

I had unprotected sex two weeks ago, and I got put on birth control a week later. I have extreme cramps in my bladder and stomach that’s what it feels like. I also haven’t been able to sleep at night. I know that I’m tired but I still can’t sleep. I also have a lot of vaginal discharge. Is this just my IBS? Or could I possiblly be pregnant while on birth control?

It is possible that you became pregnant prior to starting your birth control. Anytime you have unprotected intercourse, there is the risk of pregnancy. It takes at least 7 days of use before birth control pills are effective. If your next period is more than 1 week late, do a pregnancy test.

Extreme cramping in your stomach and bladder are usually not the first signs of pregnancy. Nor are they common side effects of beginning pill use. If you are feeling cramping/pain in your bladder area, you may have a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections can cause burning or pain with urination, pelvic/bladder pressure and/or urinary frequency. A urinalysis is usually done to detect any bacteria in your urine. Infections are treated with antibiotics.

Pelvic pain can be a sign of a vaginal infection. With some vaginal infections, women may experience pelvic discomfort, itching/burning of the vaginal area, and/or abnormal vaginal discharge and odor. In this case, a vaginal infection check could detect any infections, including any STDs.

Since you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, you would know your body better than…

I started birth control pills a week ago and have not missed a day. I have never taken them before. How long until they should be working? Also, I have heard that light bleeding is normal for the first couple of months, but could you maybe explain why this happens?

It takes at least 7 days of continuous use before your birth control pills are effective. It can take your body from 1 to 3 months to become adjusted to being on the pills. During this time, you may experience some irregular spotting or bleeding. In the beginning, your periods may come a little before or a little after the placebo pills start. Continue taking your pills every day, starting new packs on time as scheduled. Any irregular bleeding or spotting should resolve within a few months. By then, your periods should be coming on a regular basis as well.

I forgot to take my Friday pill, so when Saturday came I didn’t take both. Sunday was the first day of mqy sugar pill & I took that along with my active pill. Will I still get my period?

Yes, you should still get your period during this hormone free week. Keep in mind that because you missed your last 2 active pills, your birth control may not be as effective during your period. You will also want to make sure that you begin a new pack on time and take at least 7 days of pills before having sex. If you have sex prior to this, use a condom as your back up method.

This is my first month using the patch and i had unprotected sex on the seventh day exactly, this is now my third week and i got a few drops of i would say brownish blood, could this mean i could be pregnant. Or was that just some mild break through bleeding ?

Your birth control patch (OrthoEvra) should be effective by the end of the first week. It can take your body about 3 months to become adjusted to the patch use. Until then, you may experience some irregular spotting or bleeding. Your periods may come a little earlier or later than usual during your patch free week. Continue your patches weekly as instructed. Any irregular spotting should resolve in a few months. Your periods should also be coming on a regular basis (during your patch free week) by then.

I am currently on Nitrofurantoin for a UTI but still on birth control (taarly). I am on my last day of antibiotics and had sex with my bf. The condom broke but he didn’t finish. He pulled out right away. Should I be worried?

Some antibiotics can decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pills, so you were doing the right thing by using a condom. No one knows how much of a decrease in effectiveness antibiotics cause. The effect may be dependent on such factors as type of antibiotic, length of treatment and previous pill use. Your birth control probably was not as good as usual, but it is still better than nothing. Worry? Not yet, but you can be concerned.

Continue taking your pills daily as usual. If your next period is more than 1 week late, do a pregnancy test.

BTW, for accidents like this,Plan B is a good option. Plan B helps prevent pregnancy by delaying ovulation (should you have a break thru ovulation due to the antibiotics use). It is available over the counter to women 17 and older. Women under 17 require a prescription. It costs about $46.

why do my vagina smell like a condom and i didnt use one

Unusual vaginal odor may be due to a vaginal infection. If the odor continues or is accompanied by unusual vagina discharge (green, yellow, milky white), or vaginal itching or burning, contact your doctor or clinic for an infection check.

My boyfriend and I had protected sex three times during a night. He came twice in the condom inside me, but from what I could tell the condom hadn’t ripped or slipped. I also used the bathroom immediatly after everytime, and it was about a week before my period. I am not always regular so the fact that my period still hasnt come on time (about a week late) doesnt suprise me. I am still worried though and i know stress adds to late periods and i have been stressed. Are the chances of being pregnant high? and when should i check?

Anytime you have unprotected intercourse, there is the risk of pregnancy.  That being said, when used correctly & consistently, condoms are very effective at preventing pregnancy.

If your menstrual cycle is normally irregular, know when you ovulate can be difficult. If you bleed at irregular intervals, then you most likely ovulate at irregular intervals. Yes, stress, illness, change in diet, sleep patterns can all affect your timing. If your period is more than one week late, do a pregnancy test. If it is negative, wait another week. If your period still has not occurred, repeat the pregnancy test.

You may want to consider beginning the birth control pills, not only for the birth control, but also for the cycle control. Being on the pill would regulate your body’s hormones so you would have regular monthly periods.

So I’ve been taking my birth control for the last 3 months or so. This month, I haven’t missed ANY pills, and my boyfriend and I have even started using condoms again, for extra safety, but only about 85% or so of the times. I always get my period on either Wednesday night or Thursday during my placebo week, but I haven’t gotten it yet. I’m sure there’s very little to worry about; but I’m still worried. What would the chances be that I could be pregnant? Also, the other night we had to stop having sex because I was experiencing pain and itching, and it wasn’t comfortable AT ALL. I think this was caused by a combination of things, including the fact that he started before I was entirely aroused, we used a condom AND lubricant (we’ve used both separately before, but never together, and I think it cause me some irritation). Could this be the reason I haven’t started yet? I’m probably worrying about nothing, but it still makes me nervous…

If you are taking your birth control pills correctly and consistently, then the risk of pregnancy is low. Several things can affect the timing or your period. Stress, illness, changes in exercise or sleep, can all alter your menstrual cycle. Your period may come earlier or later than usual. It may be lighter or heavier than usual, depending on your hormones. Since the birth control pills help thin the uterine lining, some women may skip a period once in a while.

Vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis or yeast, can cause itching and burning. Intercourse may irritate the vagina even more.  If your symptoms continue, make an appointment with your doctor or clinic for an infection check.

i had unprotected sex the day i started birth control and after having a medical abortion ( please dont judge me on that) i started birth control that night at 10:30. today i went pee and i had the same burning sensation i had when i was pregnant before, could it be possible that i am pregnant again?

It takes at least 7 days of continuous use before the birth control pills are effective. So, your pills were not effective at the time you had unprotected intercourse. You don’t mention how long after your medical abortion this incident occurred. Most health care providers recommend waiting at least 4-6 weeks after the termination before resuming sexual activity. This helps decrease the risk of infection. Additionally,  if birth control is initiated, it has time to be effective.

If the unprotected sex occurred within 5-7 days after your termination, it is unlikely that you ovulated that soon, so the risk of pregnancy low.

Abstainence is the only 100% effective method of preventing pregnancy.  With consistent and correct pill use, a women can achieve an effectiveness rate as high as 98-99%. So, continue taking your pills every day. If you forget a pill, make it up as soon as possible. If you are forgetful with your pills or begin antibiotic therapy, use condoms as a back-up method.

Be sure to have your post termination follow up visit with a doctor or clinic. This…

My period started 5 days early, it was like low to medium flow,stopped in just two days.could I be pregnant?

Many things can alter your menstrual cycle. Stress, medications, illness, change in exercise or sleep patterns can all cause changes in your cycle. Your period may come earlier or later than usual.  You may skip a month. Your flow may be lighter or heavier, depending on your hormone levels. All of these can be normal.  Your period coming early and being heavier in flow would not be an expected sign of pregnancy.

However, remember that anytime you have unprotected intercourse, there is the risk of pregnancy.