Something else? Ask Aunt Vadge – bottom left of your screen!
Dear Aunt Vadge,
I’ve been feeling nervous and hopeful. My partner and I (I’m 20) have been having sex for a few months. The problem is I keep assuming I’m pregnant, because two weeks ago, a day after my period ended, he came inside me (I know – unprotected, bad). I know it’s still possible to get pregnant. Lately I’ve had sharp pains and cramps, thick white discharge, headaches, and my moods have been all over the place. I don’t know if it’s pregnancy or I’m just freaking out and my body is being weird.
Sincerely, Killerbunny
Hey there Killerbunny,
The straight answer: unprotected sex right at the end of your period is at the lower-risk end, but it is not zero. Sperm can survive up to about five days, and if you have shorter cycles you can ovulate earlier than the textbook says, so it’s unlikely rather than impossible. Since there was real exposure, the only way to actually know is a test – and two weeks on, you’re in a good window for one. Take it with your first morning wee for the clearest result.
One thing to tuck away for next time: after unprotected sex, emergency contraception works well if taken within a few days – the sooner the better. It’s easy to get from a pharmacy, and it’s there for exactly this situation.
As for the symptoms – cramps, thick white discharge, headaches and mood swings are much more likely to be your normal cycle or premenstrual stuff than early pregnancy. Very early pregnancy usually causes no symptoms at all, and when we’re anxious, every little twinge starts to feel like a sign. A test cuts through the guessing far more kindly than sitting and wondering does.
If the test is negative but your period doesn’t turn up, or you keep getting symptoms that worry you, see your doctor to check what your cycle is doing. And it might be worth sorting reliable contraception so this heart-in-mouth wait doesn’t become a monthly event – see when you can and can’t get pregnant for the timing picture.
Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge
This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
