Pregnancy tests

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

My period should've started on April 30th (I had a very regular cycle while I was on birth control). I took a pregnancy test on April 28th and it was negative. But my period has not come. I stopped Ortho Evra on April 5th so I know this could be due to a change in my cycle from stopping birth control. However, my boyfriend have been using the pull-out method since I stopped, so I could be pregnant. I think I should take another test, but how long should I wait to do that? The one I took was two days before my scheduled period. It's now been four days since my period didn't come. Is that too soon to test again, or is it good to test again if you miss a period?

Comments

[arrien.livejournal.com]

you can test as soon as the first day after your missed period with a regular test. There are also early response tests, but they don't work for everyone. It all depends on the amount of hCG in your urine.


But yes, you can test and you should get an accurate result.

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

I figured that since I took a test two days before my period should've started, it would've been accurate. But now that my period didn't come, I'm a little worried and feel I should test again...

[arrien.livejournal.com]

you should. you may not have had enough hCG in your urine to detect a pregnancy if you tested before your missed period.

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

Okay, thanks!

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

I took a test. It was negative. I could still be pregnant from an episode of sex that occurred too recently to show up on the test, but I doubt it. I'm sure my period is just messed up from stopping birth control.

[amazon-syren.livejournal.com]

Okay.

1) Unless you're allergic to latex (which you may be, I realize), or are actively trying to get pregnant (although I'm guessing you're not) your boyfriend should be using the condom method of birth-control, as it's a whole lot more effective (and somewhat less of a let-down, from what I understand).

Re: Late Period:
I think it's likely that this is just post-stopping-birth-control hormonal changes, and nothing to worry about. (Or, conversely, it's you stressing over a possible-but-unlikely pregnancy, and thus not getting your period due to stress).
Either way: Assuming you're not allergic to raspberries: Make a big, *strong* pot of raspberry tea (fruit or leaf -- leaf is stronger, fruit tastes better, or you can combine the two) and drink it all, over the course of a few hours.
In my experience (granted, I've never been on any form of hormonal birth-control), this should bring on your period in about three days.

Good luck to you. :-)

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

It's not just my boyfriend's responsibility to use protection. I would never tell him to not use a condom if he wanted to, but at the same time, I'm comfortable without one. I do plan on getting back on birth control, I just need to get a new doctor because I'm sick of dealing with Planned Parenthood.

Oh, and if my period isn't going to come, so be it! I'd love to not have my period at all, so if it wants to not show up this month, I'll gladly accept that :P I figured it would get screwed up after stopping birth control, but when you're having unprotected sex and your period doesn't come, you tend to worry a little :P

I took a test a few minutes ago and it was negative. I could still be pregnant from an episode of sex that occurred too recently to show up on a test, though, but I doubt it.

[aechei.livejournal.com]

so, you think having him pull out is less of a responsibilty than using a condom? i have to say, your logic here is extremely shaky. use a condom.

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

No, that's not what I meant :P I know that pulling out is a huge huge thing and you have to really trust each other and that it's not as safe as a condom and all that. We've been together for two years and it's not the first time we've done this, although it is the first time since the first few months of our relationship that I've been off birth control. And we did try using a condom right after I stopped birth control and for some reason it hurt me. We are going to look into getting some different ones, perhaps thinner ones. I'm not allergic to latex, and condoms didn't hurt me before I was on birth control. I think I just have to get used to using them again.

[fightsactualfoo.livejournal.com]

I have to disagree with you. Pulling out isn't a trust issue between you and your partner (although having completely unprotected sex is). I think it's more of a biological. Small amounts of semen come out prior to ejaculation - pulling out does not protect you from the potentially thousands of sperm that arrive on the scene before your boyfriend's official orgasm. I can't think of a reason why using a condom would hurt - it only ads a smidge of thickness - but if that is the case, there are other (MUCH more reliable methods of birth control. Female condoms, spermicide - it's endless. If you are not worried about STIs, great, but please please please do more to be responsible about getting pregnant if you don't want to be.

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

In my mind, pulling out is a trust issue. Not solely a trust issue, but partially. I'm not saying that trusting him will prevent all those sperm from arriving on the scene before orgasm. I'm saying that trusting him to pull out on time is based on trust. That's just me, though. I know not everyone (including you) feels that way. And I did say I would welcome a pregnancy. I'm not TRYING to get pregnant, but I'm not extremely worried about it, either. And no, there's no worries about STIs, we're both clean.

Maintainer Note - Safe Space Warning

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

Hi there. Please refrain from using the word "clean" in this community to describe someone who is STI-free. The use of the word implies that people who have STIs are "dirty," and we prefer not to further that harmful stereotype.

For more information on this policy, you can read our guidelines here:
http://www.vaginapagina.com/faq.php?#WhyCantIUseClean

Thanks!
Melissa
-For the VP Team
contact_vp

Re: Maintainer Note - Safe Space Warning

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

Oh, oops! Sorry. I knew that but I was in a hurry and didn't even think about it. Never again!

Re: Maintainer Note

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

No problems, it happens... since we don't always think about these things in "real life," it's understandable that slip-ups happen from time to time here. Thanks for understanding the policy!

Melissa
For the VP Team
contact_vp

[http://users.livejournal.com/_norma_jeane_/]

I'm confused. You used condoms while you were on BC, but since you've gotten off the pill, you've stopped using condoms?

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

Haha. No. We used condoms the first few months of our relationship, before I got on BC. After I got on BC, no condoms.

[abazureonna.livejournal.com]

I use the vaginal contraceptive film, and it works great. Put it in 15 minutes before intercourse and it lasts up to three hours.

The pull-out method isn't quite as bad as many people think, but, of course, there's always the chance of him coming unexpectedly. He can pull out *mostly* in time, and still come a little inside you too, so if you're only comfortable using that method for now, then I hope he knows his body really well.

Technically if you get pregnant it *is* his responsibility as well, legally, so asking him to use a condom would surely be reasonable. Latex makes my snatch feel like burning, and I'm married/monogamous, so I don't use them either, though.

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree that the pullout method isn't quite as bad as people think. My boyfriend and I have been together for two years and were friends for about six years before that, so we trust each other a whole lot. I was a virgin but he'd had four other partners, so he does know his body very well ;P I know there's always the chance of pre-cum causing pregnancy and of him not pulling out quite in time and all that, but I'm also not extremely worried about. I would welcome a pregnancy, the only problem being that I'm not financially stable enough right now. But still, I'm not really worried, nor am I worried about it legally being his responsibility too because he's not the type of guy to leave me because of a pregnancy or anything. Thanks for understanding my views on the pull-out method and everything! And maybe I'll look into that vaginal contraceptive film. How does it work?

[giniliz.livejournal.com]

The VCF is like a Listerine Strip (though I don't advise putting it in your mouth!) It seriously looks and feels like a larger version of the breath strips. And like those, it dissolves when it enounters heat and wetness. So unlike contraceptive foams and gels, it is not in messy liquid form until after it is in your body. The VCF comes in individual packets. You fold up the film and insert it vaginally before sex as you would any other spermicide. In just a few minutes, the heat and warmth of your vagina melts it and so you are ready to go.

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

Wow! That sounds pretty cool. How effective is it? Is it just as good as a condom? Can ejaculation occur inside the body, or does he still have to pull out?

[moochar.livejournal.com]

VCF is just another form of spermicide. According to Planned Parenthood, "Of 100 women who use contraceptive foam, cream, jelly, film, or suppositories, 29 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. Fifteen will become pregnant with perfect use. Using a condom increases effectiveness." Also, a downfall, alot of women find it very irritating.

It's not as effective as condoms, "of 100 women whose partners use condoms, about 15 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. Only two women will become pregnant with perfect use."

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

So it doesn't sound all that much better than the pull-out method :P I mean, yeah, it's better than nothing, but...

[abazureonna.livejournal.com]

bah, i've used it for a long time and have had no trouble. yes, ejaculation can occur. typical use includes things like not waiting enough time, etc.

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

Well that's good to know! Thanks for the info!

[giniliz.livejournal.com]

It is best when used with condoms or another method(such as withdrawal). Alone, I believe it is about 82% effective. Better than nothing, though.

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

That's really not that much better than the pull-out method :P

[giniliz.livejournal.com]

Yes, but when combined with pulling out, it increases the level of protection. The 82% is if the film is the only method being used and ejaculation is occuring inside the vagina.

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

82% is with ejaculation INSIDE?

[giniliz.livejournal.com]

Yes. Spermicide kills sperm. 82% of women who use spermicide regularly and correctly during intercourse with no other method such as a condom or withdrawal will not get pregnant. 18% will get pregnant. Combined with withdrawal or condoms or fertility awareness or some other method, the chances of pregnancy decrease to lower than that 18% that is with spermicides alone. I don't know what the actual combined effectiveness is. I'll try to look that up. But 2 methods are generally better than 1, and withdrawal is 1 method that can be added to spermicide.

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for all the info! I know a lot about most contraceptive methods, but this one I didn't know much about. Thanks again!

[moochar.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure it last up to 3 hours. I looked up info on it & found that it lasted up to 1 hour. According to Planned Parenthood, "contraceptive foams, creams, jellies, film, or suppositories usually require waiting 10 minutes after insertion before intercourse can begin. These methods typically only remain effective for one hour after insertion." Of course it could depend on the brand or type? I'm not too sure, as I have no personal expierence with the stuff. But things I was able to find said it lasted up to an hour.

And also, just to clarify, if you have sex another time, even within the hour time limit for the VCF, you need to insert another before having sex again.

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info! Having to insert it 10 minutes before sex would make it hard to be spontaneous :P

[abazureonna.livejournal.com]

On the box of the stuff that I buy it's printed clearly "up to three hours". I'm not sure whether PP is lumping foams, jellies, and film together, or if it's a different brand. As I understand it, misrepresenting the effectiveness on the directions of a box of contraceptives is pretty illegal, though, so I'm inclined to trust it.

[moochar.livejournal.com]

I never said not to trust it, that's why I mentioned "of course it could depend on the brand or type" in my first comment. Perhaps more common types or brands last an hour & other brands could last longer.

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

It does say "UP TO three hours" which makes it sound like they're saying, "Well...it COULD last up to three hours, but it might only last one or two" :P But I would trust it too.

[angelic-bathory.livejournal.com]

If your period doesn't come soon, take the test with your first morning urine and don't forget to wait the alotted time. HCG is more potent then.

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

I took a test today with my first urine, and it was negative.

[angelic-bathory.livejournal.com]

Then you should be fine. :) You'd be surprised how many people don't read the instructions though. LOL Good luck!

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

Haha. No, I've taken more than one test in the past two years but I read the instructions carefully every time :P

[viellen]

Hey, I've noticed there seems to be some confusion about the efficacy of spermicide vs. the pull-out method. Here's some more information for you. The pull-out-method is statistically very similar to spermicide (in fact there are studies that state the pull-out method is more effective than spermicide). According to Go Ask Alice, spermicide (which includes VCF) is between 79-96% effective, depending on use (aka 79 is closer to "normal" use and 96 is perfect use). The pull-out method similarly ranges from 80-95% effective (source). While they are similar, neither are really an effective way of preventing pregnancy. Spermicide also comes with it's own set of concerns, as some people have allergies/sensetivaties to it. There is also a theory that spermicide may create small cuts in the vagina, which would make one more susceptible to contractive STI's (one of many sources. This theory is based on an unsubstantiated study in Africa (aka it's not 100% proven fact, but it is a logical concern).

Despite spermicide and the pull-out method having low efficacy rates, there are still some very effective non-hormonal options for birth control--and they may be a little easier on your budget, if that's a concern. Planned Parenthood sometimes offers some of these options for free or at a low cost (i.e. the Paraguard IUD). As always, the best course of action is talking to your doctor :)

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

Yes, that was what I said to a few other people - spermicide doesn't sound a whole lot better than the pull-out method! I am very sensitive so I don't think spermicide would treat me very well. I'm also not saying that pulling out is a good method if you're very very serious about preventing pregnancy. Also, I was on birth control for about a year and a half, so I know I could easily be on it but I am sick of dealing with Planned Parenthood and my doctor, for moral reasons, doesn't prescribe BC to females who aren't married so I have to find a new doctor :P Thanks for all the info!

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

Are those numbers (79%-96%) for spermicide with ejaculation inside the body or with the pull-out method?

[viellen]

It's with ejaculation in the body. Combining spermicide with the pull-out-method does increase efficacy, but I haven't found any exact statistics as to how much of a margin it'd be. I'm glad the info was helpful for you!

[justreadmyspine.livejournal.com]

Those are pretty good numbers for ejaculation inside the body, but I doubt my boyfriend would be comfortable with it. But yeah, thanks again for the info!