First Month on Reclipsen - taking inactive pills, but no period yet

[heartsasmagnets.livejournal.com]

I just started Reclipsen on October 24th. My last "natural" period had been Oct. 9th - 14th. I had semi-unprotected sex (condom came off inside me, but he did not come inside me) on the morning of the 29th, which was only 5 pill days in (yes, I'm aware 7 is the requirement for full protection). 

I'm just finishing up my first month. I started inactive pills on Nov 14th and today is my fifth day of inactive pills. I have yet to have ANYTHING resembling a period, but I've had a few cramp-like feelings. When I got the pills, they did explain to me that it is totally possible for periods to be non-existent or off for the first 3 months of pills while my body is adjusting. I'm just a total scaredy-cat (this is my first sexual relationship and we've only had sex like 15 times) and am worried I'm somehow pregnant. This whole 3 months of my body adjusting uncertainty doesn't help that at all.

I should just go buy a test - and I will - I'm just worried about false negatives testing too early. Even at PAST 19 days since that semi-unprotected sex, it's TOTALLY possible that there isn't enough of the pregnancy hormone that HPTs test for in my body yet to test positive.

I barely even know what I'm asking. I'm probably unnecessarily worried, but I guess I'd just like a little support from other people who know things/who've been through it. Thoughts?

Comments

[nickelshoe.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, missed bleeds can happen after the adjustment period as well. I don't know why they indicated that it was just a settling in thing.

The 19 day wait is to allow for your body to build up enough of the hormone. People get positives as early as 10 days. To decrease the chances of a false negative, test with your first pee of the morning--it will be the most concentrated. Also know that with a healthy pregnancy, hCG levels double every two days, so each day you wait the likelihood of a false negative goes down more and more. So if you want to wait a couple more days, it's probably not necessary, but should help ease your mind.

[heartsasmagnets.livejournal.com]

If I can't use missed "periods" as a sure indicator that I'm not pregnant, how can I? I always have to rely on pregnancy tests?

This is gonna be a rough time. I'm a hardcore worrier.

[nickelshoe.livejournal.com]

If you do get a bleed, that's a very good sign you're not pregnant, just as if you weren't on birth control. But if you don't get a bleed even though you took your pills correctly, chances are it's just a fluke and you're still not pregnant. Different pills are more likely to cause missed bleeds than others, so if you find that this particular pill has you skipping bleeds more often than not, you might want to switch to another pill.

[hold-fast.livejournal.com]

I'm a worrier too. When I was on a progestin only method and wasn't having regular bleeds, I bought pregnancy strips in bulk on amazon. They're super cheap, but just as effective (they're usually the ones used in doctor's offices, actually). It may seem a little crazy, but if it settles your mind I think it's well worth it!

[heartsasmagnets.livejournal.com]

This is an awesome suggestion. Thank you.

[yjudaes.livejournal.com]

I know that you wrote this a long time ago, but I just came across it and wanted to let you know I'm also on Reclipsen and had a similar minor freak-out. The RN I spoke to about this said that especially with this particular BC, periods are liable to be very light or almost non-existent, and while I had a very heavy flow and long period (7-10 days) prior to going on the pill, I still have very light periods now even after having been on Reclipsen for a couple of years, sometimes with one single day of spotting, sometimes with no bleeding at all and only cramps. Hope that helps!

[heartsasmagnets.livejournal.com]

This is actually a HUGE help to me. Thank you for the reassurance. Of course, I got my period on day 7 of the inactive pills and it was quite short. I also took a test BEFORE I got my period and it was negative.

So I'm a worry wort but it's good to know others out there have had similar experiences.