Hello, and I hope I can help you today.
Even though there is sperm present in
pre-ejaculate, it is at a fraction of the amount that is present in the vagina after ejaculation. Therefore withdrawal does work as a
contraceptive about 75 to 80% of the time. However, there is definitely a possibility of
pregnancy if you had sex around your ovulation time, which if in your case occurs during your menstrual period.
However, it takes a few weeks after conception for fertilized embryo to produce any level of hormone that would be high enough to produce pregnancy symptoms. Pregnancy symptoms vary greatly between women, and many of the symptoms we commonly associate with pregnancy like
nausea,
bloating, breast tenderness, spotting, or mood changes can take place with PMS or other hormone irregularities as well as pregnancy. The stress of worrying about getting pregnant can also make women more acutely aware of the
hormonal symptoms.
Modern pregnancy tests are extremely accurate and will become positive within 10 days to two weeks after conception, so if enough time has gone by, I would recommend you perform a urine pregnancy test with your first morning sample according to the package directions.
In the meantime, to summarize, no one can diagnose pregnancy based on physical symptoms. There is a possibility of pregnancy when you use withdrawal for
contraception, however it is effective about 80% of the time. The most common sign of pregnancy is missing your period, so until that happens, I would try to avoid worrying too much.
I wish you the best of luck in your situation.
Best wishes,
Dr. Brown