Possible Pregnancy Symptoms: Light Flow, Nausea & Cramps

Question
I'm 22 years old. I've been dating my boyfriend for 5.5 years. we are sexually active. we always try to use condoms and if we don't he always pulls out (I know this isn't always effective) My period has always been very heavy and I always have terrible cramps. Today my period started, it was very very light and I had absolutely no pain. Now there isn't even any blood now. I'm also very nauseous. can I be pregnant?

Answer
Dear Kathleen,

If you have had unprotected sex during the last cycle or two, you cannot dismiss the possibility of pregnancy.

The symptoms you describe are hormonal in nature and can also be related to hormone fluctuations within your cycle. That is why it so difficult to "diagnose" a pregnancy based on symptoms alone.

You will need to test for pregnancy to know for sure. Although some tests claim accuracy on the first day of a missed period, I usually suggest that women wait until the week after a missed or spotty period before testing for pregnancy. This tends to minimize the incidence of false negative results and also avoids wasting money on a test for a simple delay of a period by a few days. When/if you test make sure to use 1st morning urine to get a concentrated sample for the most accurate results.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda