Can I be pregnant?

March 3, 2009 5:54 AM

can I be pregnant? I've been on DEPO until few weeks ago, and used a condom every time since then.

I have been on DEPO (injectable contraceptive) for 7 years, and went off it few weeks ago. It takes around a year for the cycle to normalize. Also, my partner and I have used a condom every single time since I went off.

However, my partner is freaking out that i may be pregnant, because of some changes in my body - tender larger breasts, spotting, etc. I think the chances are understandable given all the hormonal changes taking places, after I went off DEPO. It's illogical for me to run to a gynecologist for a blood test, given the facts. What do you think?

posted by esolo to health & fitness (13 comments total)

Have you peed on a stick yet?
posted by Pollomacho at 5:59 AM on March 3

Nope, i would think it's too early to show?
posted by esolo at 6:00 AM on March 3

It sounds like hormonal changes from going off the Depo to me, but pee on a stick.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:13 AM on March 3 [2 favorites has favorites]

I think some pregnancy tests can be accurate within five days, so I would definitely try one.

However, your "symptoms" sound a lot like what I went through coming off of depo after five years. It went on for about four months, and then just quit altogether. You should discuss this with your doctor, but mine recommended I consider using birth control pills to regulate my cycle until my body was able to do that on its own. I went cold turkey and then got on the pill about six months later, but I wasn't in a relationship and wasn't going to have to freak out about pregnancy symptoms. You might want to consider it.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 6:29 AM on March 3

Sounds like the hormonal changes associated with coming off depo, but for about $10 you could get a 2 pack of pregnancy tests. Take one today, one next week. If both are negative, you can 99.99% relax.
posted by agentwills at 7:45 AM on March 3

Could you be pregnant? Sure. You can fingerbang a girl through a brickwall and get her knocked up, pretty much.

Are you pregnant? I seriously doubt it. I know the paranoia; my IUD appointment is tomorrow and I'm convinced I'm knocked up (I'm not) just because it would be maximum irony and fate hates me. However, rationally, there are ways to deal with this worry:

+ Realize that worrying and freaking out isn't going to make you any more or less pregnant.

+ Pee on a stick, as mentoned. The most accurate "early result" tests still can only be used "5 days before your missed period," which really means 4 days before the day you're supposed to get your pregnant.

+ Realize that lots of things can cause "pregnancy symptoms;" going off Depo, PMS, whatever.

+ Maybe take a pregnancy test even though it's early? I know when I'm paranoid mid-month the little "not pregnant" message makes me feel way better even though I know it's not 100% accurate yet. It helps diffuse the I KNOW I'M PREGNANT I KNOW IT illogical mindfuck. Take one again closer to your period if you're still worried.

+ I don't know that much about Depo, but I'm guessing your cycle doesn't go back to normal right away (as you mentioned), so don't shit a brick if your period is late.

+ If you look at anecdotal evidence, it's really easy to believe your pregnant ("WE DRYHUMPED IN HIS BACKSEAT AND NINE MONTHS LATER I GAVE BIRTH TO TRIPLETS!!!1!1!1!!) However; you've used condoms accurately (I'm assuming), everytime, and you've only been banging for a month, so your chances are pretty slim.

"Each year, 2 out of 100 women whose partners use condoms will become pregnant if they always use condoms correctly."
posted by Juliet Banana at 7:48 AM on March 3

supposed to get your pregnant = supposed to get your period
posted by Juliet Banana at 7:48 AM on March 3

Coming off Depo means that it will take a while for fertility to return. This doesn't mean that you can merrily shag away without protection, just that it will be harder to conceive if this is what you want to do. When I came off it, I had some of the symptoms you describe, and it took a few months for my period to return. It#s a pretty big shot of hormones and no doubt your body is still processing them out. nevertheless, it is worth getting a test just to stop you worrying, as Juliet_Banana says.
posted by mippy at 8:04 AM on March 3

Coming off Depo is pretty serious. It took me over 6 months to have a period again. At all. It was not fun. I got to thinking I might be pregnant too. I wasn't, of course.

The overwhelming likelihood is that you are experiencing hormonal craziness associated with Depo withdrawal, and not pregnancy. When you think about it, it's highly unlikely you are fertile right now - you've only been "off Depo", meaning you didn't top it up after your last dose, for a few weeks. Given the mechanism by which Depo works, it's unrealistic to think that fertility could return immediately after a missed dose; your body is still processing your last one. Take a pregnancy test to ease your mind (and your partner's), but, really, it's highly unlikely you are pregnant.
posted by tiny crocodile at 8:42 AM on March 3

Not an OBGYN but spotting isn't usually an indicator you're pregnant. It usually means you're going to have a period. Or are ovulating.
posted by fiercekitten at 10:05 AM on March 3

Actually fiercekitten, spotting is an indicator that you can be pregnant. In fact, it was the big one I had when I was pregnant. Not that this means the OP is pregnant at all, but it is an indicator.
posted by katers890 at 11:24 AM on March 3

Echoing tiny crocodile up there, it took me 6 months to get a regular, normal period after having a single Depo shot (my first and only so far, but would try again). The fact that you've been on it for so long means you're going to have some funky hormonal symptoms as your system normalises. I had some un-fun symptoms, including tender breasts and a nasty brown blood period for a couple of weeks. Didn't worry too much because it felt like my body was reasserting itself. So I'd say what you're going through is perfectly normal, especially if your instincts tell you the same.

But having said that, what are you going to lose by taking a pregnancy test? Pee on the stick!
posted by saturnine at 2:13 PM on March 3

Some people absolutely have spotting when they are pregnant, but spotting on its own is not an indicator of pregnancy.

Spotting after coming off a long stint on Depo is almost certainly a sequela of the Depo.
posted by Sidhedevil at 8:27 PM on March 3