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ahh...that makes so much more sense! :) I think I can help provide you with some information...
We can really only count any type of activity (unprotected sex, bleeding, symptoms) after the date of your IUD removal on October 15th. The bleeding you experienced on Oct. 10th was most likely not implantation bleeding, as the IUD is about 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, so we can't "count" on this.
So, October 15th you had your IUD removed, and your last "period" was Sept. 26th. Again, we can't really count this as a period, because women do not actually have a period when using hormonal contraception. The bleeding that occurs when using synthetic hormones is from "withdrawal bleeding" of the hormones, not an actual menstrual period.
Your doctor is correct that you could, technically, become pregnant right away when you stop using hormonal contraception; when you have your IUD removed. However, the other side of the story is that it can also take a few months for your cycles to become more predictable, to begin ovulating and to have a menstrual period. The IUD is effective at preventing pregnancy because it prevents ovulation, and since you were using it for 2 years, it is unknown when your body when begin the ovulation process again. For some women, it can be immediate...others it can take some time. Plus, you have a history of irregular periods, so that also causes more confusion (unfortunately).
Best case scenario: you had your IUD removed Oct 15th, had unprotected sex Oct 16th, and began ovulating Oct 20th (just for hypothetical-situation). Today is Oct 27th, and you would not even be pregnant yet! From the date of ovulation to the fertilized egg implanting in your uterus...this process takes from 10-14 days. (The sperm fertilizes the egg in the fallopian tube, and it takes a while for the fertilized egg to travel from your fallopian tube down to your uterus, and then for it to burrow into the thick lining of your uterus).
This all makes sense when you think about the timing: ovulation occurs approximately two weeks before a menstrual period (this varies greatly, but is an average). It takes 10-14 days (two weeks) for implantation to occur (when a "viable pregnancy" happens), and is about the time of an expected period. Also the time a home pregnancy test would first be able to detect any pregnancy hormones (this is because only once the egg is implanted does it signal to your body to begin producing the "pregnancy hormones", which are then detected on a test).
Whew...are you still with me?
What makes it more confusing for you is that you have just been recently off of synthetic hormones, and most experts say to wait 2-3 months after stopping the pill, IUD, ring, etc before trying to conceive. This is because it can take your body this long to begin its cycle of producing natural hormones to start-up your ovulation process (the IUD had been suppressing this natural process with the synthetic hormones...it's quite amazing!!).
During this 2-3 month time, it is recommended to "have fun" with your partner, and you can begin tracking your symptoms (cervical mucus changes, PMS-type symptoms you mentioned, etc) to learn where in your cycle your body is. I can send you information on how to track/predict ovulation if you would like.
I hope this helps...I have been in your exact same shoes (I have a 3 year old son, and was trying to conceive our second baby for months!), and know how frustrating it is! You question and analyze and evaluate every sign and symptom, and having an irregular cycle does not help. Hopefully you can enjoy spending some intimate time with your husband, and know that it can take 6-12 months to conceive (I was surprised...it took us 5-6 months, and I really thought it would be instantaneous!). Plus, each month you "only" have a 20% chance of conception...can you believe it is that low? That's why the experts say to just relax, have fun, don't analyze too much and have sex every-other day (or as often as you can), regardless of when you are in your cycle.
The symptoms you describe are most likely not pregnancy; it is too early for those symptoms even if you do have a fertilized egg making its way to your uterus. It takes most women being pregnant about 4 weeks to notice any real signs; other women notice within 2 weeks (you would only be pregnant a day or two, at best). The symptoms may be hormone-related, and could be PMS or your body going through its normal cycle.
Please keep us updated!
October 27, 2009 - 1:46pmThis Comment
Thank you for your question anonymous. The weird feelings can be so many different things, especially if you have not missed a period as of yet. Have you tried another pregnancy test since the first one was faint? Have you thought about waiting to see if your period arrives in the beginning of the month?
October 24, 2009 - 9:22amThis Comment
ok i'm experiencing light cramping and my period isn't due to come on until Nov 3,2009 and it doesnt feel like period cramps either, my last period was October 2,2009 to October 6,2009 my stomach has been feeling a little funny i have to other kids and i never experience this before, i took a test yesterday October 23,2009 it was very faint that it said it was positive that i was preagant but my stomach has been feeling funny since Thursday October 22,2009 but i'm not sure if i'm preagant are not i have been going out of my mind what advice can you please give me?
October 24, 2009 - 7:37amThis Comment
Anon,
I'm so sorry that you're having such a difficult time right now. And I'm very sorry about your 5 unsuccessful pregnancies. Do your doctors believe that they know what to do to help a new pregnancy be successful?
Anon, can I ask how old you are?
What medicines are you taking right now? Are any of them new? Or did you stop any medicine recently?
How long has it been that you have felt tired all the time?
From the symptoms you write about, I am wondering whether you have a hormonal balance of some sort. When you were being treated for your PCOS, or at any other point, did any doctor think to measure your hormone levels of estrogen, progestin and testosterone? Or your thyroid levels?
The reason I ask is because hormone levels are one of the first suspects when our periods start going a little crazy. (And I know it's especially hard on you since you are trying to conceive). Also, you said you had a 10-day period in September, is that normal for you?
And the reason I ask your age is that perimenopause can also be responsible for these symptoms.
I realize that your lack of insurance is going to make anything more complicated and expensive right now, so I'd like to see if I can narrow this down for you a little bit. Please see if you can give me more details and answers to my questions and I'll do some research and see what I can find out.
October 12, 2009 - 8:34amThis Comment
I have a serious problem, my hubby and i are trying to get pregnant. We have had 5 unsucessful pregnancies. I have PCOS which of course makes it difficult. I got my period on the 17th of september, it was gone the 27th of september, which ironically enough was the day that it was due, so it was early. However, i had sex once since then, now it is the 9th of October , and I am spotting like Im gonna get another full blown period. I have minimal cramps, tired all the time, and just feel blah. I do not have to wear a pad yet, it just comes when i wipe. However I wear one anyway, cause ewww. I am upset cause this is the time when i am supposed to be ovulating not menstruating. I have similar problem with no insurance. My husbands insurance when up to 700 dollars a month, so we had to eliminate it. Now I don't know what is going on. I have gotten my periods almost like clockwork for the last 2 years almost, even after the miscarriages. I am overweight and cannot seem to lose it , i have done dieting, sure i would lose like 30 lbs, but almost gain it all back if not more. I have acne and facial hair like you would not believe. I have to shave every 5 hours on my chin. I am just tired of fighting a battle that I cannot seem to win. So I was hoping someone could shed some light on this subject. Thanks for listening.
October 10, 2009 - 12:34amThis Comment
hi i have a question..
October 9, 2009 - 11:54ami had my period during the last week of sept.
i have had unprotected sex 3 times since. for the past week or so ive had odd cramps, my boobs are somewhat sore, and im super tired...i could sleep all day and night :/
i took an early preg. test this morning since i had been feeling so odd. it was negative. but im not even suppose to have my period for another 2 weeks or so anyways. do u think its possible i could be prego??
This Comment
hi I am also in concern I am on a birth control called Loestrin 1.5/30, I know I should be having protected sex and it does take two to tango and risk taking such as this can have consequences, but lately for about two weeks I've had next to no energy, I have thick discharge I sometimes feel like I am about to get sick, I don't have any cramping and my period is not due for 2 weeks I take my pills every day without missing but sadly I am unfamiliar with my own ovulation since I was never really taught or familiarized with it, I am only 19 soon to be 20 this Nov.29.09 , I have been working hard to get a job and financially were not stable my fiance and I cannot support a baby and I would dread bringing a defenseless human being into a world with out stable structure, sadly because I live in such a small town I notice young mothers from age rage as young as 13 becoming pregnant, how will I know I am before a missed period if I am I will keep my baby I would never resort to abortion as I am HIGHLY against it, please help me I am afraid, my fiance and I usually have unprotected sex a week before my period this has been going on for a while and I have had no worries but my main concern has reared because he and I have been having unprotected sex right after my menstrual cycle was done and it's been going on for two weeks, right now he's had periods where he is unable to ejaculate due to an infection in the testicles so we were not as worried but shockingly one day last week he was able to and he noticed semen was on the tip of his penis, I am sorry to be graphic but I felt some details were needed to rule this out, My fiance has taken an anti-biotic and the infection is not contagious please I need help and in site on if I may be possibly pregnant and whats my best route to take
October 7, 2009 - 12:36amThis Comment
hi there in april my period was in the middle of the month in may my period was the 31 and im tryin to get pregnant we had sex on the 20th and the 21st of june could i get pregnant could any one help me please
June 22, 2009 - 10:15amThis Comment
Are you tracking the number of days between periods? It is irrelevant when your period began when just looking at the calendar.... most women's cyles are between 21-35 days long, and a calendar month is either 30 or 31 days, so eventually, your period will begin falling on another general time on the calendar.
To track your cycles accurately, count the first day of bleeding as "Day 1", then count the days inbetween this to the next period. That next period's first day of bleeding is your new "Day 1". You should have somewhere between 21-35 days in between your two periods.
It takes women 6-12 months to conceive, as each cycle you "only" have a 20% chance of conception when actively trying.
November 30, 2010 - 11:59amThis Comment
Hi, Anon, and welcome to EmpowHer. Thanks so much for your question.
It sounds like you have pretty irregular periods, Anon, has this always been true?
Have you tried any of the over-the-counter fertility tests that help you figure out when you are ovulating?
You may want to learn how to chart your basal body temperature. It is a cheap, easy way to learn when you are ovulating each month. Here are some tips from about.com on how to correctly take a basal body temperature:
http://infertility.about.com/od/tryingtoconceive101/ht/howtotakeBBT.htm
And here's a page from the American Pregnancy Association that talks about signs of ovulation, including basal body temperature charting and monthly changes in the cervix and cervical fluid:
http://americanpregnancy.org/gettingpregnant/signsovulation.html
How long have you been trying to get pregnant? It takes many healthy couples several months to conceive. Don't stress about it too much. I know that's a lot easier said than done, especially when you are hoping for a baby and it seems to take so long. Take care, and please write back and update us, OK?
September 25, 2009 - 8:28amThis Comment