Grab a test! (For anyone wondering if they're pregnant)

There isn't a single test on the planet that won't miss hCG in your urine if you're four months pregnant and have chugged ten liters of water.

cosmiccyclist412 said:Sure, but theoretically it could have happened in April since there was that whole incident back at the start of July...

There is absolutely zero theory where you're pregnant. Seriously—there isn't a single test out there that would show a negative result if someone were actually four months along! And besides, most women aren't dealing with morning sickness by the fourth month anyway. You’re two months late, haha.😍

Edward Green said:If you’re four months pregnant, there isn't a single pregnancy test on the market that won't pick up that hCG, even if you've been drinking water like it's going out of style.

Well, I certainly hope that's the case!

Look, on day one of being late, don't bother testing right after you've downed a six-pack or anything else that leaves you feeling bloated. 😁
Most home tests have a sensitivity of 25 mIU/mL—at least that’s what Intim Plus says on every box, unless I'm totally tripping here 😕—and during those first couple of weeks, those levels double every two days. After that, the doubling slows down before eventually dropping off. By then, we aren't talking about 25 or even 50; we're talking thousands. Any test would pick it up, even if you just drank an entire lake. 😁

Edward Green said:On the very first day you notice a delay, I wouldn't recommend taking a test right after downing a six-pack or anything else that heavy. 😁
The sensitivity level for home tests is usually around 25 mIU/mL—at least that’s what the box says for most brands, if I’m remembering correctly 😕. During those first couple of weeks, hCG levels basically double every two days. After that, the doubling slows down before eventually leveling off. By then, we aren't talking about 25 or even 50 units anymore; we're talking thousands. Any test would pick that up easily, even if you had just swallowed a whole lake. 😁

We'll see what the doctor says tomorrow. Honestly, I'm hoping it turns out the way you described, because at this point—sad as it sounds—I think I’d actually prefer dealing with an illness rather than a pregnancy.

Watch your mouth.

That’s exactly what I was about to say—thank God you beat me to it 🙂

cosmiccyclist412, what exactly did Ginić say?
I was actually thinking about mega-doses of Vitamin C, since the deficiency is literally called scurvy. If you’re dealing with bleeding gums or bruising easily, that’s usually the giveaway, regardless of how perfect your dental hygiene is. But based on what you've described, it doesn't sound like scurvy to me.

My advice? Whatever that gynecologist told you, go see a primary care physician instead. Gynecologists specialize in ovaries and the uterus; they aren't exactly experts in everything else—like thyroid issues, for instance. Some of the symptoms you mentioned could very well be linked to an underactive thyroid...
Please let me know what ends up happening. Definitely.

I stopped by my OBGYN today, and they told me I’m definitely not pregnant. Apparently, home tests are super reliable, and since my period came through, there’s nothing to worry about there. It was a bit strange, though—I expected them to run an actual lab test just to be sure.

They ran some blood work, and everything looks perfect, according to the doctor. The only tiny thing was that my right ovary looked a little thicker than usual.

As for that dark, chocolate-colored spotting, they said it's just old blood finally shedding, which is totally normal.

The main concern for the doctor is that my cycle lasts six days and has been consistent since I was twelve. They gave me a referral for an ultrasound and suggested we manage things with birth control—I assume they were referring to PCOS.

It seems like all these symptoms are being chalked up to stress or "excitement." Honestly, I have no idea where that's coming from.

I also saw my dentist about my gums, and they gave me the same diagnosis: it’s all stress. They put me on some antibiotics and gave me a referral for dental X-rays to see if I need to visit a periodontist afterward.

Thanks so much to everyone for the help, the advice, and just listening to me. After today's appointment, I feel a lot lighter.

cosmiccyclist412 said:Leave me alone—my cycle lasts six days and I've been dealing with this since I was twelve.

Mine started when I was twelve and two months old, and they usually last about five days. Honestly, what’s even weird about that? 🤔

Mine showed up on day 11 and lasted 6 days straight. What’s the big deal?

alexxx said:The first one I had was at 11 weeks and lasted about 6 days. What's the big deal?

I'm not entirely sure. But he mentioned it might be an issue, especially if there's any pain involved.

I’m just as lost as everyone else here—honestly, I'm hoping cosmiccyclist412 decides to swing back by and finally clear up 🤔

He made a fair point. You should definitely get an ultrasound. My concern, though, is that he didn't actually address why you're getting fatigued so easily or why you're winded just walking up two flights of stairs. Honestly, even a dentist isn't going to have the answers to that. Look, please listen to me: stress shouldn't be your first assumption for these symptoms; that's usually the diagnosis of last resort. It could be anemia, or something else entirely. Go see a primary care physician. If they seem stumped, insist on a full systematic checkup—get your blood work done, including liver function (which you should do before starting birth control anyway), kidney tests, and thyroid levels. So many women suffer through various ailments because they're told "it's just stress," when in reality, there's a treatable medical issue involved, like a thyroid problem. It happens all too often simply because people assume that since you're young, you can't actually be sick.

alexxx said:My first one showed up at 11 days and lasted about 6 days. I don't see what there is to worry about here.

That was my experience too. 🙂 Now I’ll probably have to bring this up during my follow-up appointment next week as well. Man, if I could just hand them a printed list of questions beforehand.🤣

Okay, question.... please, someone, talk me down!

So, here’s the deal... I started on Yasmin about four months ago. The instructions say if you miss a pill by more than 12 hours during that first week after the placebo break, there’s a significant chance of getting pregnant...

Well, as if things weren't stressful enough, my partner and I ended up hooking up on the third day of that first week, and I totally blanked on taking my pill... I finally took it, but it was 11 hours late...

Now, my placebo week has arrived and I should be getting my period. It's two days late, and honestly, I thought maybe it just arrived, but this isn't my usual flow... it's incredibly light, whereas normally it's really heavy. I had one day where it felt somewhat normal, but then nothing at all for the entire afternoon. Now, I've been bleeding for three days, but it is super, super light, and I am just soooooooo terrified that I might be pregnant... I'm actually scared to even buy a test...

I haven't dealt with nausea, I don't have a metallic taste in my mouth, and I don't have any weird food cravings, nor does my back hurt... but I am exhausted, I have a headache, and I feel like I have to pee constantly...

It's been three weeks since I took that pill late, and now I'm starting to spiral into a bit of a panic...
Help?!

Kyle Hill2 said:okay, question.... please someone comfort me!

so, here's the deal... I started taking Yasmin about four months ago... and the instructions say if you don't take your pill within that 12-hour window during the first week after the placebo break, there's a high chance of getting pregnant...

and now, just my luck, we ended up having sex on the third day of that first week back, and I totally blanked on taking my pill... I didn't get to it until 11 hours late...

now it's time for my break and I'm supposed to get my period... it's two days late and I was like, okay, fine, it's here, but it's not actually my period... it's basically just a tiny bit of spotting when it's usually really heavy... I had one day where it felt somewhat normal, then nothing at all all afternoon... and now it's been three days of this "period" but it's super, super light and I ameeeeee terrified that I might be pregnant... I'm too scared to even go buy a test...

I'm not nauseous, I don't have that weird metallic taste in my mouth, and I don't have any crazy cravings, and my back doesn't hurt... but I am exhausted, my head hurts, and I feel like I have to pee constantly...

it's been 3 weeks since that late pill and now I'm starting to panic a little bit...
help?!

PEACE. I've been on them for 4 years now... I've missed the window by more than 12 hours before and nothing happened to me
my period used to be late by like three days sometimes, regardless of whether I messed up the timing or not, and then I'd just get some light spotting... have you been under a lot of stress lately, or maybe the weather changed or something?

I mean... finals aren't even coming up yet... I've just got this cold...

but the panic... I've honestly never dealt with this much at once...

Bunny said:I mean... I haven't even taken my finals yet... plus I've got this cold going on...

But honestly, the panic is real. I've never felt this level of anxiety before...

I really think you shouldn't let it get to you. If it’s seriously eating you alive, just grab a test from CVS or something... but personally, I've been there before and nothing ever happened.

Cattley said:That was a nice way for him to put it. You should definitely get an ultrasound. My only concern is that he didn't really address why you're feeling so wiped out or getting winded just walking up to the second floor. Honestly, even your dentist won't have the answers you need. Please listen to me: stress shouldn't be the first thing we blame for what you're going through; that’s usually the last resort. It could be anemia or something else entirely. Go see a primary care doctor. If they seem stumped, ask for a full panel—just a routine checkup to look at your liver enzymes (which is standard before starting birth control anyway), kidney function, and thyroid levels. So many women suffer through various symptoms because people dismiss them as "just stress," when it's actually something fixable, like a thyroid issue. It happens all too often because people assume young women can't be sick.

Back when I was dealing with PCOS, I went through all sorts of tests. Everything always came back fine, including my thyroid levels, though I think one specific marker was slightly elevated—I can't quite remember which one.

Usually, everything looks perfect whenever I talk to a doctor. When I request blood work or other tests, they tell me my results are some of the best they've ever seen, yet no one ever explains why I feel the way I do. For instance, my dentist told me yesterday that she couldn't possibly know the cause of my issues and that it must just be stress. (It’s just one more reason why I’ve never been a huge fan of using public health clinics.)

As for the fatigue, I'm actually feeling better now. Ever since the doctor confirmed I wasn't pregnant, I've felt a hundred times better. Maybe it was panic, or maybe just the pressure from college... who knows? But everyone loves to say, "It's just stress."