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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Delayed Periods, Pregnancy Symptoms With Light Brown Spotting. On Birth Control. Possible Pregnancy?

Hi, so im about six days late now and feeling really off. I have some pregnancy symptoms such as slight nausea, headaches, boobs are tender, feeling bloated, some cramping and moodiness (i have randomly cried about 3 times this week for no big reason). I have never been late before, if anything Im usually early. I am on birth control but we don't use condoms and I know its supposed to be 99% but I've heard of others getting pregnant while on birth control.. also today i started getting light brown spotting but only when i go to the bathroom.
Just wondering with all this information if there's a chance I could be pregnant?
Thu, 12 Sep 2013
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OBGYN,  's  Response
Thanks for your question. It is important to realize that if you are sexually active, there is always the chance of pregnancy, even if you are using birth control. Oral contraceptives are, in fact, 99% effective. They are so effective that if 100 women used a birth control pill as directed, only one of them would become pregnant in any given year. However, that is still 1 percent of women pregnant using a birth control pill as directed.
Birth control pill doses have gotten much lighter over the past twenty years, so formation of ovarian cysts is still possible. I did a study on this several years ago, showing that women may still form ovarian cysts on lighter dose birth control pills, although they usually do not ovulate. That is the mechanism for prevention of pregnancy.
Ovarian cysts can make hormones which may produce symptoms in women that mimic pregnancy. A pregnancy test for you is in order and your gynecologist may also recommend an ultrasound of the pelvis to detect any ovarian cyst formation. Hormone production from the ovary may also produce the light spotting you are experiencing. Remember, however, that any amount of bleeding on a birth control pill may signify a menstrual period. Menstrual periods on birth control pills are drug induced and not really "normal".
I hope this answers your questions. I am available for further consultation if needed.
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Delayed Periods, Pregnancy Symptoms With Light Brown Spotting. On Birth Control. Possible Pregnancy?

Thanks for your question. It is important to realize that if you are sexually active, there is always the chance of pregnancy, even if you are using birth control. Oral contraceptives are, in fact, 99% effective. They are so effective that if 100 women used a birth control pill as directed, only one of them would become pregnant in any given year. However, that is still 1 percent of women pregnant using a birth control pill as directed. Birth control pill doses have gotten much lighter over the past twenty years, so formation of ovarian cysts is still possible. I did a study on this several years ago, showing that women may still form ovarian cysts on lighter dose birth control pills, although they usually do not ovulate. That is the mechanism for prevention of pregnancy. Ovarian cysts can make hormones which may produce symptoms in women that mimic pregnancy. A pregnancy test for you is in order and your gynecologist may also recommend an ultrasound of the pelvis to detect any ovarian cyst formation. Hormone production from the ovary may also produce the light spotting you are experiencing. Remember, however, that any amount of bleeding on a birth control pill may signify a menstrual period. Menstrual periods on birth control pills are drug induced and not really normal . I hope this answers your questions. I am available for further consultation if needed.