Spotting vs. actual period?

[crossmyfingers.livejournal.com]

So, I've always been a relatively paranoid girl, and this is definitely one of those times where I need reassurance about it. Backstory: my boyfriend and I are usually pretty safe. We've been absolutely safe in terms of contraception since my last period (March 4-9). He has absolutely not ejaculated inside me in a very long time without use of a condom, though he has been inside me without one. But, for whatever reason, following the end of that last period, my body decided to go a little haywire. Adittedly, this could be because of minor stress (work, money, about to move out from home for the first time). I started sleeping a lot longer, having to pee slightly more frequently (again, could be explained away, I consume a lot of liquid). So I became worried that I was pregnant. I've just begun really keeping track of my cycle, so I wasn't sure when my next period was supposed to arrive, so I just waited.

Flash forward to yesterday: what I think (hope) is my period comes. Logically, the timing is right for it to actually be my period. Yesterday and today, it's slightly lighter that usual, but I still had to change tampons a few times, and the blood was definitely there, dark red like usual (not orange-ish like I'm told a lot of spotting is), albeit with a few more clots than normal. But, being the paranoid girl I am, I read through the vaginapagina archives and read all about how it's completely possible for a girl to have a period or be spotting all nine months through pregnancy and just think it's the normal menstrual cycle. My question really is, could I just be spotting or is this definitely my actual period? How, exactly, can I tell the difference and be sure I'm not pregant? I took a pregnancy test tonight just to triple-reassure myself, and it came up negative, but I wasn't sure if bleeding like I am could make the test less accurate. Also, I know about the am_i_pregnant community, but I felt like with my spotting question, this was a more appropriate community. And I'm also way more comfrotable here.

Unrelated- I just want to say thanks to everyone who contributes to this page. It's really helped me get to know my body and what goes on a little better, and actually kind of pushed me to make my first gyno appointment soon and get tested and all that good stuff. So thanks!

Comments

[sixfiftysix.livejournal.com]

There's only one way to completely alleviate any concern, and that's to buy an over the counter pregnancy test. As you've already had what seems to be your period, I would say you could buy any of them-- not just the ones that tout extra-sensitivity to the hormone.

My gut instinct tells me that you aren't pregnant, just based upon the information you've provided. Without knowing just how "unsafe" you were prior to this period, in terms of the number of times your boyfriend was without a condom during PIV sex, and when, it's very difficult for me to say with absolute certainty that you aren't pregnant.

I would encourage you to see how your period goes, but if you are concerned enough, which it seems you are, I would say to pick up a pregnancy test when you get the opportunity to do so, and put your mind at ease.

Believe me when I say I know how you feel. I'm still waiting for my period, even after two negative pregnancy test. Instinct tells me that combined with what I've felt lately-- mood swings, change in eating habits, fatigue, it's entirely possible that I got a false negative. But my mind, and most of the scientific community, is telling me that my period is late for any number of other factors, and it's just my mind playing tricks on me. We'll see which wins out in the end. ;)

Best of luck to you-- and let us know (via comments or editing this post, or whatever may work) how it all plays out.