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Birth Control
Q. After the birth of my second child, we decided that it would be best for me to go on the Depo-Provera birth control shot. I had no complications (except weight gain) and I was on it for three and a half years. We decided that we would like to try for one more baby, so I went off the Depo-Provera last year. We have been “really” trying for about five months now, but with no luck. Is it too soon? Is this common after being on the shot?
-Roseanne, Kentucky
A. While some women can get pregnant just a few months after stopping Depo-Provera, most take six to 12 months to become fertile again. If you've been on it for a few years it may take longer for the drug to leave your system. If you've been having normal periods and ovulating regularly (you can check with a home ovulation test) for six months or more, you may want to try “really, really hard" before consulting your doctor. See the "trying really hard" question for more details.
Q. I have not had a period since September 2002. I went back on birth control pills (Aviane) around that time and was told by my OB/GYN that it was okay if I did not have a period while I was on a BCP. I took my last pill on October 11, 2003 and have not had a period since then. On November 15 I had cramps, a backache and felt slightly nauseous, but experienced no bleeding. On December 10/11 I've had the same symptoms but still no bleeding. I've never been one to have cramps, and when I did have a period it was very light. My question is: Can I get pregnant without having a period? I did have signs of ovulation in November. I've never had a child and we are currently trying to get pregnant.
-Anonymous, Alabama
A. Since you have had very light periods in the past I can see why the birth control pills stopped them altogether. BCPs reduce the symptoms of menstruation (bleeding, cramping and nausea) significantly. If you have been on the pill for more than a year, your body may take several months to get back to a normal period. This is probably the reason you are not bleeding yet.
To answer your question: Yes, it is possible to become pregnant without showing the signs of a period. You could very well be ovulating, which is the key component to getting pregnant. To more accurately track your days of ovulation, you can buy an over-the-counter urine test.
Since you probably won't have the most tell-tale sign of pregnancy–a missed period–be on the lookout for other signs. (See the other pregnancy symptoms question for more details.)
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Q. Is it correct that we won't become pregnant if I have the habit of masturbating?
-Anonymous, Alabama
A. No. That is not correct. In fact, just the opposite may be true. You may be more sexually active as a result of your masturbating. I believe that sex and orgasms can be like candy: the more you get it, the more you want it.
Back to the issue... if you want to avoid pregnancy you must abstain from intercourse or use a birth control method such as oral contraceptives, condoms and spermicide, an IUD, a diaphragm or the birth control injection. You might visit your local OB/GYN or clinic to decide what is best for you.
Q. My boyfriend and I had sex and somehow the condom slipped off without our realizing. He didn't finish in me. Could I get pregnant this way?
-Lala, Nevada
A. There is a small chance that you may become pregnant. A little bit of sperm may be released from the penis before ejaculation, and all it takes is one sperm to meet the egg. You might try using a diaphragm or a spermicide for back-up. See the other birth control question for more details.
Q. After having sex with my boyfriend his condom broke inside of me. Can I get pregnant like that?
-Anonymous, New York
A. Yes. If the sperm escapes into your vagina and you are ovulating, there is a chance you could get pregnant. Although condoms are useful in protecting you against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, they are not a fail-safe method of birth control. They do help prevent pregnancy, but if you do not want to have a child you may want to consider additional birth control as well. A spermicidal cream, diaphragm, or birth control pills can provide a good back up. See your gynecologist or Planned Parenthood center to discuss your options. Remember- you are the one in charge of your body and your destiny.
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Q. I believe I am pregnant. I was on Ortho Evra (the patch) for about four months, but it wasn't used correctly. I have seen the doctor for about three weeks straight because I have leukocytes or traces of blood in my urine. The doctor asked if there was a chance of pregnancy and then ruled it out because of my birth control use. I've had periods for the past two months, but they have been very abnormal with light bleeding that doesn't last long. What can I do to find out if I am really pregnant without my parents finding out?
-Anonymous, Ohio
A. You can use an over-the-counter home pregnancy test to check for pregnancy. You are probably not pregnant, but if the urine test shows that you are, you must tell your doctor immediately. She needs to know if you are pregnant because certain medications and treatments could be harmful to a developing fetus - if you plan on keeping the pregnancy. Most medical professionals will honor doctor-patient confidentiality and she may give you advice and/or counseling on what your next steps may be.
Q. My girlfriend and I recently had unprotected sex for the first time. It was on the sixth day of her cycle, two days after her period ended. She began taking the pill for the first time the day before we had sex. The day after, she got really scared and took a morning after pill called Plan B. I'm trying to comfort her somewhat and I can't find anybody who will give me an honest opinion on her chances of getting pregnant I know you can't know for sure, but would you please tell me what you think?
-Anonymous, Wisconsin
A. I believe you are supposed to take birth control pills for at least two weeks before they become effective. Two days isn't enough time, but I don't think you need to be overly concerned. Your girlfriend did take the morning after pill, which will terminate a pregnancy if there is one. If your girlfriend's cycle is quite regular, she probably ovulated 12 to 14 days after the first day of her period, which would be a few days after you had sex. The only way she could have become pregnant is if she ovulated a little on the early side, had an ample, strong sperm deposit that survived inside the vagina for a few days and didn't take the morning after pill.
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Q. If a male ejaculates into a female, is it okay as long as it happens within 5-6 days before her next period because the male sperm dies within 5-6 days?
-Anonymous, Massachusetts
A. Most women ovulate (and, therefore, can get pregnant) 12 to 14 days after the first day of a period and will menstruate in another 12 to 14 days. Some people use the “rhythm method” for birth control – having intercourse only on the days nowhere near ovulation. Since there is so much room for variation in ovulation cycles, this method is hardly fail-safe. If you don't want pregnancy, you should use other birth control methods such as condoms, the pill, a diaphragm, etc.
p.s. Most sperm can survive inside the vagina for 24-48 hours. Very rarely do they stick around for as long as 5 to 6 days, but it has happened.
Q. I took a morning after pill on the 21st and then had unprotected sex on the 25th & 27th. Do I need to take it again?
-Anonymous, Illinois
A. The morning after pill is similar to a large dose of oral contraceptives and usually produces a period within two weeks of taking it, therefore preventing pregnancy. If you took it on the 21st, you should have a period by early next month. I don't think the 25th and the 27th intercourse would make any difference. It's before the period scheduled to come, which would expel any sperm and eggs, fertilized or not.
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Q. I have been taking birth control pills for about a year. I have been a day behind on my pill almost this whole month because I forgot to take it one day. Today was the first day of taking my sugar pills and the first day of my period. Last night my boyfriend and I had sex and the condom came off inside of me. We didn't realize it until after he ejaculated. What are my chances of being pregnant?
-Anonymous, Montana
A. The chances of your becoming pregnant while on the birth control pill are very slim, even if you missed a day. The fact that you had (semi)unprotected sex during your period make your chances of getting pregnant even slimmer. I wouldn't worry.
If you ever miss taking your oral contraceptives by one day, then you should take two pills the next day to keep on schedule (unless your doctor or the medications directions advise differently).
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