Scarleteen

Hi! I know I will sound kinda crazy and have already scheduled to go back to psycological treatment in the near future l.
Anyway, around late february (the 26th) me and my boyfriend had sex without a condom as we did not had one in the moment (we both later had a talk and decided that this is not something we are comfortable doing again), he did not stay inside me for long and I finished him with my hand a long time after he was out of me.
It was the last day of my four placebo pills in the pill chart and I had some withdrawal bleeding in this period after starting the new chart (nothing out of the ordinary). But during this time I was experiencing quite a bit of diarrhea from a medication. Other than that I am VERY consistent taking my pill.
Later, march 12th, I experienced some weird bleeding, it was on the middle of the pill chart and I was worried sick it would be implantation bleeding. I kept putting of taking the test because I had a transvaginal ultrasound scheduled for march 27th and have had some really traumatic experiences taking pregnancy tests over and over in some other periods of my life.
In the transvaginal exam everything is peachy, the doctor tells me there's no gestational sack or anything there and I move on from it.
May 6th and May 20 I had some episodes of spotting after two incredible stressful tests. And got some withdraw bleeding around the second day of the pill chart I began in May 22th (around the 24th).
Today is the last day of my placebo pills and I'm set to start a new chart tomorrow, we haven't had sex without a condom since the one time in february and I haven't had any pregnancy symptoms whatsoever in this period. Yesterday I had a pinkish discharge so I am expecting some withdrawal bleeding to come soon.
However, this past week I had been obsessed with my stomach to the point of hurting myself pressing it and spending hours taking pictures because I think it is very bloated and I look pregnant. It is really taking a very big tool on my mental health as I am recovering from an ed and I just want to be done with this feeling.
My question is, should I worry about hook effect at this point? Can I trust that test that tells you how many weeks along you are? I just REALLY want to take it and move on with my life. Babycenter says I would be around 17/18 weeks from the date of conception.
Sorry for sounding crazy, I just really want to be pasted this and give my body a break.

Hi Julia!

So, it sounds like while you had unprotected sex, you’ve been taking your birth control pills as directed. Is that right? If so, you should be protected from pregnancy.

Also, yes to the pregnancy test! Enough time has passed where it’ll give you an accurate result from the risk on Feb. 26.

I also hear you that this has been a source of intense anxiety, and I’m sorry to hear that it’s causing you such distress. Continuing with mental health treatment sounds like a great idea. Do you feel able to reach out to make an appointment, or is there any support you’d like in restarting mental health treatment?

Thanks so much for the response!
But wouldn't I have become unprotected from the pill because of the diarrhea?
I really should not worry about hook effect at this point, then?
Also, are those moments where I spotted amidst the pill normal or should I worry?
About treatment, I'm considering starting medication for anxiety as therapy has really helped me but I feel like it isn't enough anymore.

Yes, diarrhea can actually impact medication absorption. So, if it does happen again in the future, you’ll want to use a backup method of contraception like condoms (though it sounds like you’re doing that now, all good!). I do think, if the anxiety has continued after the transvaginal ultrasound showed no gestational sac, now might be the time to consider taking a pregnancy test just so you can have the result confirmed. How does that sound to you?

Also, are those moments where I spotted amidst the pill normal or should I worry?

Spotting is a very common side effect of hormonal birth control. So, I wouldn’t take this as a sign of pregnancy.

I hear you that it feels like therapy isn’t enough support for your anxiety, and I agree with you that if that’s the case, medication might help as an addition to therapy. How do you feel about the process of starting medication? Would you like any support with starting it or asking your therapist about it?

Test was negative
Thank you so much for the help.
About the medication, I have some reservations about it honestly because I’m scared.
I have a friend who has been taking anxiety medication and she says that it does numb every feeling, not just the anxiety . This frightens me a bit because while I do want to be less anxious I also really like my sense of humor and the way my boyfriend/friends make me feel.
I’m really afraid of it numbing the good parts, if that makes sense?

I'd encourage your friend to talk with her prescribing physician about that. It may well be she isn't on the right medication or the right dose of medication. That's not something that should be happening for her all the time.

The good news with meds is that their effects are temporary, only while we are taking them or shortly after we have stopped. If you took a medication that didn't help you, or that did, but came with side effects that were not worth it to you, you'd have the option to stop taking them or to get something adjusted by your doctor to see if that changed those side effects.

I had never thought of it that way, you are absolutely right.
Thank you
Earlier this morning I did make an appointment with a psychiatrist for next week, hope it goes well.

I do, too! Good luck with it, and you know where to find us if that visit creates more questions for you within our scope of service, or if you have other things you ever want to talk about. <3