Post-Birth Control Cycle Changes: What to Expect

Question
I stopped my birth control pills (ortho tri cyclen) after 4yrs of usage in the beginning of January. My last period on the pill started Jan. 10.  I was due for a period on Feb 7, but did not start having any type of bleeding until yesterday (2/19). I started getting bloated on 2/2 and it last up until about 2/17or2/18. I have been having very light bleeding for the past two days (basically spotting). The first time my husband and I had sex w/out a condom was on 2/14 and the next 2/17. I took a pregnancy test 2/17 and it was negative. Is there a chance that Im pregnant w/this very light and late period or is it just my body reacting to coming off the pill? I dont really remember how my periods were prior to the pill, just irregular.

Answer
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for your question. I'm not a medical doctor and of course, I urge you to check with your own physician. It is possible that you can get pregnant even with a condom. But if you took the pregnancy test too early, it might not have shown up with a positive reading. It is also possible that you could be having a side effect from coming off the pill. Anyway, there could be several different scenarios. I would suggest taking another pregnancy test soon. You can get a free pregnancy test at a testing center. You can look up and see if there is one in your area at http://www.optionline.org
Are you trying to get pregnant and that's why you went off the pill? Please email me at DWooley97@yahoo.com
Sincerely,
Diane W.