Possible Pregnancy Symptoms After Tubal Ligation: What Could It Be?

Question
I'm 28 years old, have three kids. My last pregnancy was in 2008 which I had my tubes tied about a month and a half later using the banding method. For the last few days I notice that I've been having symptoms like I was pregnant. I have light cramping, low backach, getting tired more, wanting to eat spicier food, some hot flashes, heartburn, sore body, a little bit of nassua, my breast is sore when I get up in the mornings, light headaches and yesterday morning I had that weird metallic taste in my mouth. I've also have been getting easily emotional, I would tear up on any little cute or sad stuff I would see on tv really quick...The last time I had sex was on March 9, my cycle came on March 26. But it only last for about 4 days with the last 2 days of it being so light that I could wear a pantie liners; my cycle usually last 6-7 days. I know the chances of me being pregnant is VERY slim since I had my tubes tied. So could this be signs of something else, like stress or even be premenopausal. I did take the Walgreen brand pregnancy test this morning and it came out negative...Please Help

Answer
Hello NY from the U.S.

I can't tell you why you have these symptoms.  They are too general and could have many different causes.  If you have not already repeated the urine pregnancy test, then you should do so, but to be absolutely sure you are not pregnant (which you need to do because of the risk of a tubal pregnancy since you have had a tubal ligation), you should have a blood pregnancy test done.  You will need to have your doctor order this test.  Tubal or ectopic pregnancies can be life threatening so you need to be absolutely sure.  If the blood pregnancy test is negative, that rules out pregnancy so you will need to look at other hormonal sources for your symptoms. Certainly there could be psychological sources as well.

Good Luck,

Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com

Monterey, California, U.S.A.

for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf