posted
Hey! I just wanted to confirm that what I experienced was, in fact, my period.
I started bleeding about two days earlier than I expected my period to start. The bleeding was light at first. The next day it began to bleed more heavily. This heavier bleeding lasted for about three days before slowing down and gradually becoming lighter.
I'm concerned that this wasn't actually my period because I was worried about a possible pregnancy scare (see most recent topics I posted), even though logically, none of the incidents I experienced could have constituted a substantial pregnancy risk. I did some research online though and found that sometimes women can have regular bleeding during their pregnancy that LOOKS like a period, but actually isn't.
Does what happened to me seem like a period? Or could it be something else?
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
It sounds like you got your period, just a couple of days earlier than you expected it. That's not anything unusual, really, cycles tend to vary by a day or two either way, and even someone with very regular cycles will experience that variation.
The idea that women can have bleeding throughout their pregnancy that looks like a period and shows up when a period would is just, well, not sound. Bleeding can happen sometimes during pregnancy, but what's most common with pregnancy is a lack of bleeding. However, you haven't had a pregnancy risk, so you can assume this was your period.
-------------------- "Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." -Arundhati Roy Posts: 5329 | From: Canada/Australia | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Would it be normal then for me to still have slightly tender boobs even after the bleeding has stopped?
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
People can experience breast tenderness at any time in a cycle without it being due to pregnancy.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63418 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
Is there any reason at all why a woman would bleed during a pregnancy, other than a miscarriage or spotting?
I'm certain this wasn't spotting, because it wasn't just a tiny bit of blood for a day or two; it certainly looked like a normal period. I guess I'm just overly concerned because I feel like every little thing that feels weird in my body (stomach aches, tender breasts, slightly cloudy urine, etc) is a pregnancy symptom.
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Robin Lee
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I've read the article, and I totally understand what it's saying. I'm kind of scared to just go and get a home pregnancy test because 1) there could be an answer I don't want to see, and 2) I could get a false negative and still be worried.
What do you advise I do?
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Robin Lee
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posted
Looking back at your last thread, in which you assessed your own risk, it looks like you determiend that you did not have any risks.
Your options at this point are to take a pregnancy test to ease your anxieties, or to wait for your period to arrive, which will indicate that you are not pregnant.
What would you like to do?
-------------------- Robin Posts: 4401 | From: Washington DC suburbs | Registered: Dec 2011
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posted
Well I already got what I THOUGHT was my period after any possible risks I might have had. I got it about a week and a half to two weeks ago. I don't think it was an implantation bleed or spotting because it got heavier on the second day.
Do you think I need to take a test? Should I just wait for my next period a few weeks from now?
What would you do in my situation?
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Robin Lee
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Member # 90293
posted
As we often say, if it looks like a period, feels like a period, and comes when you expect your period, chances are good that it's a period, particularly when we know there's been no risk. So, given that, where is this anxiety and doubt coming from?
-------------------- Robin Posts: 4401 | From: Washington DC suburbs | Registered: Dec 2011
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posted
To be honest, it comes from a couple of places.
First, I made the stupid mistake once of researching on the internet whether people bled at all during their pregnancies, and of course on places like Yahoo Answers or Wiki Answers, there were people telling their stories about how they would bleed regularly during their pregnancies and whatnot. That kind of freaked me out a little and made me worry that what I'd had wasn't a period at all, but was a bleeding during pregnancy.
Second, I have never quite understood why having a period means that you are not pregnant. That has always confused me.
I'm sorry to have so much doubt though Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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Robin Lee
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posted
To be frank, pregnancy concerns are only relevant when there has been a risk of pregnancy. You have already determined that there hasn't been.
Deciding whether you need to take a pregnancy test is something you need to do for yourself, based on what you're comfortable with and what you think would best help you right now.
As to why having a period means you're not pregnant, take a look at these articles to understand the biology of it. If you have questions about what you've read we can talk about them.
posted
Thanks for the "On the Rag" article! I hadn't read that one before and it was actually really helpful.
I do still have questions though. The article said that period flows can vary, as in, they can be either light or heavy. How do you distinguish a lighter period from an implantation bleed or spotting? And could having what appears to be a normal period actually be an implantation bleed whilst pregnant?
Also, suppose you have vaginal intercourse (my boyfriend and I never have) and the man ejaculates inside, but then the very next day, you get your period. The sperm wouldn't have had enough time to get to your uterus yet, so could they still survive the journey to the uterus even if you're bleeding from your period?
Thank you so much for all your help!!
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Robin Lee
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posted
Implantation bleeds are very very light, so no, a "normal" period wouldn't look like that at all. Plus, implantation bleeds are very rare.
Again, though, it's really not sound to imagine that a period might be something it's not when one has already determined that there is no pregnancy risk.
As you will have read in the "where did I come from" piece, it's not the sperm that gets to the uterus, but rather the fertilized egg which has been fertilized in one of the fallopian tubes, and gone through a few cell divisions before it gets to the uterus. As to whether implantation can happen if there is a period after fertilization, that's one of those things that we just don't know; it probably happens to a few people, but it's not something that's overly likely. Again, since you don't engage in sexual activities that could lead to pregnancy, this isn't something you need to even be worrying about.
-------------------- Robin Posts: 4401 | From: Washington DC suburbs | Registered: Dec 2011
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I had another question. Recently I have also been feeling the need to pee, even when I don't have that much to actually pee out (please excuse my vulgarity). Is this normal?
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
If you've been staying very hydrated, and this has lasted more than a couple days, that can be something people commonly experience with a urinary tract infection or the start of one.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63418 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
It wouldn't hurt to have it checked out. Sometimes, if you're not hydrated enough, your urine is more concentrated and can be a bit irritating to the bladder (in which case drinking more water is an easy solution) but as Heather said, it may also be the start of a UTI, which is very easy to test for and treat.
-------------------- "Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." -Arundhati Roy Posts: 5329 | From: Canada/Australia | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Oh wow, I didn't know that! Should I try drinking more water first to see if that helps, or should I just get it checked out right away?
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Try drinking more water, but if it doesn't improve in a day or so, check in with a healthcare provider.
-------------------- "Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." -Arundhati Roy Posts: 5329 | From: Canada/Australia | Registered: Sep 2004
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I have also been peeing a lot more often than usual (or at least that's how it feels to me). Is this a UTI symptom or a pregnancy symptom?
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Hi Pocket Mouse! So, for you, it is not a pregnancy symptom, because it has been established that you are not at risk for pregnancy. A parallel situation could be saying you have a fever, and wondering if that means you have TB, even though, say, you happen to know you have never been exposed to TB- but it just so happens people suffering from that illness can have fevers. How does that sound to you?
And I actually would not rush to label anything you are feeling or experiencing a "symptom" of any kind- once you are already concerned and then you get into that mindset, it is hard to get out, and you could find that you are no longer sure whether you are actually experiencing certain "differences" or if your mind is somehow inventing them to fit the current obsessive worry.
On a similar note, I would suggest you try to stay away from Wikianswers and the like. Those posts are notorious for sensationalized misinformation, especially for topics that not as many people have a solid understanding of- like the kind of issues we cover here at Scarleteen.
Back to the UTI possibility: if you are really this worried, just go get tested. It's a very quick and easy test, and you'll be able to put this concern to rest very soon.
[ 09-08-2012, 04:33 AM: Message edited by: Claire P. ]
Posts: 170 | From: Northeast USA | Registered: Aug 2012
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posted
Another thing: I am not sure of your feelings about, or access to, birth control methods other than condoms, and this is in no way me advocating that you make any kind of particular choice regarding this, but just wanted to share-- when I was in my first year and a half of college, I was almost constantly freaking out about the possibility of pregnancy just like you. I used to have really irregular periods that came with weird side effect sometimes and not other times, which altogether could be really confusing and make me kind of paranoid in spite of being a health educator! I eventually talked to my doctor about it, and after a long discussion, she recommended I try out Nuvaring. That was four years ago now, and I rarely experience that same obsessive concern, because my periods are now regulated, and even if I *did* somehow expose myself to a pregnancy risk(against all logical odds), I knew I was protected, so could relax.
Not saying my story should be yours, but while you are at the doctors for your UTI test, maybe see if you can also schedule to meet with him/her for a consultation appointment to discuss this? They may have a bunch of insights that wouldn't have otherwise occurred to you (or Wikianswers).
Posts: 170 | From: Northeast USA | Registered: Aug 2012
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posted
Wow, I hadn't thought about that! I will definitely consider Nuvaring. Did you have any side effects?
I also wanted to ask another question that I think will help to clear my pregnancy fears. Sperm can only live in a woman's body for about 5 or 6 days right? Because if that's true, then since the last time I did anything sexual with my boyfriend was on August 15th, and I got what I believed was my period more than a week after that date (I got what I think was my period on August 25th), even if any sperm had somehow gotten into my vagina, they would have died before I got my period, right?
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
The NuvaRing, like all hormonal birth control methods, does also have side effects. Whether the Ring is a good choice for you is something to discuss with your gynecologist. They may also recommend another method of hormonal birth control to you, depending on your personal needs and medical history. But all methods of hormonal birth control create an artificial cycle where you have a withdrawal bleed in the fourth week of the cycle.
As for your question, I am not sure what you are asking in terms of the sperm "dying". But since you did have a period, you can be sure that you did not become pregnant, as you would not have experienced your period if you had.
-------------------- -joey Scarleteen Volunteer
"The question is not who will let me, but who is going to stop me." -Ayn Rand Posts: 8424 | From: Cologne, Germany | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
Oh, when I talked about sperm "dying," I just meant at the point that they would no longer be able to fertilize an egg. I thought I read in one of the articles here that sperm can only survive in a woman's vagina for 5 or 6 days. Is this true, or am I getting my information mixed up?
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Oh, when I talked about sperm "dying," I just meant at the point that they would no longer be able to fertilize an egg. I thought I read in one of the articles here that sperm can only survive in a woman's vagina for 5 or 6 days. Is this true, or am I getting my information mixed up?
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
I guess what I'm asking is, if sperm did enter my body and more than 5 days later, I got what I believe was my period, is there any chance at all that I could be pregnant or that the sperm survived?
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Well see, I don't know why I'm so nervous about this, but I'm concerned that what I got wasn't really my period :/ it only came two days early, but there weren't any symptoms/warning signs that it was coming (cramps, bloating, etc) except some breast tenderness, and that makes me think it might have been something else.
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Would you like to try and talk a little to see if we can't find what's at the root of your pregnancy worries, emotionally, intellectually, interpersonally, in terms of not having enough education about your menstrual cycle or reproduction...whatever is really going on here?
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63418 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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To be honest, I don't know what the exact root of my pregnancy worries is. Definitely not knowing enough about my personal menstrual cycle could be a contributing factor. I was always under the impression that all menstrual cycles were exactly 28 days long, so it was kind of weird to me that they could be so irregular.
Also, when I started researching pregnancy symptoms and scares, I found a lot of people online stating that unusual things could happen, such as getting pregnant from just being touched with a little pre-ejaculate or having what appears to be a period even though you're pregnant. Reading things like that made me super nervous that anything that was happening with my body was a pregnancy symptom.
I also wanted to ask another question. Like I said before, I got what I believe (but am not sure) was my period on August 25th, and my next one is supposed to be coming up around the week of the 22nd of September. If it doesn't come, should I take a pregnancy test just to be safe?
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posted
28 days is the average length of a menstrual cycle - it's definitely not everyone's normal, and even a regular cycle can vary by a few days here and there. It would actually be more unusual to have each cycle exactly the same length; our bodies just don't work that predictably. Have you ever charted your cycles? Keeping track of when your period starts, and how long the bleeding lasts can help you get an idea of what patterns there are over time, and can also make it really obvious when a period IS actually early or late, as opposed to your cycle just being a day or two longer or shorter that month. You can even keep track online, using tools like this one: http://www.mymonthlycycles.com/
Per online information, unless that information is coming from a source you know to be a sound resource for health info, it really isn't relevant. There's a rundown of how to tell good online resources from bad right here: Legit or Unfit? Finding Safe, Sound Sex Educators & Support Online
With your period, I'd say you can assume that what you got on August 25th was your period, so if you're expecting another one around the 22nd of September based on that date and don't get it, you can absolutely take a pregnancy test if you want. There's not really a need for one, but if it would help lessen your stress, go for it. (Really, you don't even need to wait, you could test now if you like.)
-------------------- "Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." -Arundhati Roy Posts: 5329 | From: Canada/Australia | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Is there any way to tell if vaginal bleeding is anything other than a period? I mean, I'm pretty sure it wasn't spotting, because from what I understand, spotting is very light, just a few drops and whatnot. But could that bleeding have been caused by anything else?
Also, I'm kind of nervous about taking a test. How should I handle that?
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posted
And also, if I do miss this upcoming period, should I be concerned? I have not done anything sexual since the start of my possibly-period on August 25th.
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Sorry that I keep asking so many questions!
I would kind of like to repeat one of the questions that I asked earlier, as I did not receive a full answer. The last day that I could have done anything sexual with my boyfriend was August 15th, but the last day I actually DID anything sexual with my boyfriend was definitely at least a day or two before August 15th. Thus, there were a bare minimum of 10 days in between my last sexual encounter and August 25th, when I got what I believe was my period (but I am still not sure). Because there was anywhere from 10 days to 2 weeks between the time of my last sexual encounter and the time I was expecting my period, is it safe to say that I could NOT be pregnant because if I was, I would not have bled at all? Or is it possible that the actual fertilization of an egg can take longer than 2 weeks?
Thanks for all of your help Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Both implantation bleeding and spotting are way lighter than even a light period. So if you have anything resembling your regular period flow, it is neither of the other two.
With any other bleeding, it would be a pretty huge coincidence if you had bleeding that started roughly around the time you were due for your period, had flow resembling a period, and lasted about as long as a period and then stopped again.
Since you never had a risk, and had a period. there is really no point for you in continuing to worry. However, as others have mentioned before, you can totally take a pregnancy test now to put your mind at ease. What part of taking a pregnancy test has you feeling nervous?
It takes about a week for a pregnancy to complete. So, at ten days after a risk, if you were going to get pregnant, you would be pregnant.
Regardless, even if you have a period the day after a sexual encounter, it still means you are not pregnant: since a period involves flushing out the egg that was waiting to be fertilized, there is now no egg to BE fertilized, so even if the sperm hang around for a few days, there is nothing for them to do.
-------------------- -joey Scarleteen Volunteer
"The question is not who will let me, but who is going to stop me." -Ayn Rand Posts: 8424 | From: Cologne, Germany | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
Wow, thank you so much!! That post really helped me Seriously thank you so much!! Cyber-hugs for you <3
I also had another question regarding fertilization. So let's say, hypothetically, that an egg DID fertilize and become a zygote in the 10-day period between my sexual risk and the day of my expected period. Would my body know right away to shut down the menstruation process so that I wouldn't get a period? Or does it take a few days for the body to figure out that there's a fertilized egg inside?
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Robin Lee
Volunteer Assistant Director
Member # 90293
posted
Once fertilization occurs, it launches the, well, let's call it the pregnancy process. So the body says: "hey, something's happening. Better not shed that uterine lining."
However, not all fertilized eggs implant in the uterus. Sometimes, there will be a fertilized egg and no one will ever know.
However, as Joey mentioned, what you described above doesn't pose a risk of pregnancy, so none of this applies to you right now.
What do you need to put your pregnancy worries to rest?
-------------------- Robin Posts: 4401 | From: Washington DC suburbs | Registered: Dec 2011
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posted
Thanks so much for helping me out this much seriously, I really appreciate it.
To be honest, I feel like the only thing that could put my pregnancy worries to rest would be getting my period. But I don't really have any symptoms/signs except for tender breasts.
Can having a UTI prevent you from menstruating?
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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pocket_mouse, can we talk about why taking a pregnancy test is so difficult for you? Because I feel like it is really time you take one, so you can see that negative result and feel better, but you haven't really responded to our suggestions to take a test.
-------------------- -joey Scarleteen Volunteer
"The question is not who will let me, but who is going to stop me." -Ayn Rand Posts: 8424 | From: Cologne, Germany | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
I don't know for sure if I have one unfortunately I won't be able to make it to a doctor for another week because of some weird health insurance issue that's going on.
I'm afraid to take a pregnancy test for a lot of reasons.
1) I haven't told my parents that I'm concerned that I might be pregnant, so I'm nervous about them finding out if I take a home pregnancy test.
2) I don't really know any other trusted adults I can tell about my pregnancy fears.
3) I'm scared that the results will be positive.
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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Robin Lee
Volunteer Assistant Director
Member # 90293
posted
Does it make sense to you why you haven't had a pregnancy risk, and why we're suggesting the test more for your peace of mind than anything else?
-------------------- Robin Posts: 4401 | From: Washington DC suburbs | Registered: Dec 2011
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posted
Yeah, it totally makes sense! Everything you guys say is logical. It's just my fear of becoming pregnant at this stage of my life is both overwhelming and irrational. I'm honestly sorry to have troubled you all so much with my worrying!!
I guess I'm still worried that I somehow could have become pregnant because I worry that I'm the "exception to the rule"--that somehow, because I may have had some indirect contact with pre-ejaculate on my vulva, or I may have touched a little semen and then touched myself, I'll somehow wind up pregnant.
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
What symptoms do you have that make you suspect UTI? If you are experiencing pain, it would be a good idea to go to a walk in clinic, or call your doctor or insurance to see what you can do to be seen earlier. If you do indeed have a UTI, it's important that you get diagnosed and treated quickly.
Do you have any friends that you can confide in? What about your boyfriend - is he supporting you in this?
You don't have to take the test at your parents' place, if you are worried about them finding it: you can also take it at your boyfriend's house, for example.
-------------------- -joey Scarleteen Volunteer
"The question is not who will let me, but who is going to stop me." -Ayn Rand Posts: 8424 | From: Cologne, Germany | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
The only real symptom I have that makes me suspect a UTI is a need to urinate more often, but most of the times when I think I need to pee, I don't actually have much urine in me. Also, sometimes it feels like I have some kind of irritation happening both inside me and outside (near vaginal lips).
Most of my friends have unfortunately left for college already. My boyfriend has also left for college (I leave on Friday), so I can't take a test at his house.
I'm sorry for being so difficult I really, truly am. I'm just so scared and worried that I could have somehow wound up pregnant. And I also now have slightly veiny breasts in the middle of the night or when I wake up in the morning, and my body will feel slightly more fatigued than normal by the end of the day. I don't know if those things are caused by my whacked-up sleep schedule (I've been going to sleep very late and waking up late because of my worrying), but they make me worry that I'm experiencing pregnancy symptoms.
I'm so, so sorry to put this all on you guys.
Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Do you know if there are any walk in clinics or a Planned Parenthood in your area? (We can also take a look around for you if you'd like, to see what's available.) You can get checked for a UTI there, you can discuss your pregnancy worries, and you can take a pregnancy test there as well.
-------------------- -joey Scarleteen Volunteer
"The question is not who will let me, but who is going to stop me." -Ayn Rand Posts: 8424 | From: Cologne, Germany | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
There is a walk-in clinic in my general area, but I don't know if I can afford it myself without the help of the health insurance. And even if I could, I don't know what to tell my parents in order to get me there. Posts: 178 | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Go ahead and give the clinic a call. They often charge on a sliding scale, which means that they ask patients to only pay as much as they can afford.
As for transportation, is there a bus you can take? Someone you can ask for a ride? Or, you can tell your parents you are afraid you may have a UTI, and that you don't want to wait until your insurance comes through. That way, you can ask them for a ride without having to tell them of your worries.
-------------------- -joey Scarleteen Volunteer
"The question is not who will let me, but who is going to stop me." -Ayn Rand Posts: 8424 | From: Cologne, Germany | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
I've asked my parents about going in to get my possible UTI checked out a couple of times, but my mom said we simply can't go in. I don't know what else to do.
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