Timeline of Symptoms

[WatersOfMarch]

Hi,

I'm just wondering, which comes first, missed period or early symptoms?

I've been having sore breasts for the last few days, but I have not missed a period. The sore breasts could be from the new birth control I started (sprintec) about 6 weeks ago, but I didn't experience sore breasts on my last pill pack.

I took a home pregnancy test and it came back negative, but I won't have my period for another 12 days, so I don't know if I can trust those results.

So, can anyone tell me, would I have missed a period before getting tender breasts?

[livinTX]

If you're on birth control and have been taking your pill properly (not skipping pills or on antibiotics), I doubt you are pregnant. No form of contraception is 100%, but the pill when used correctly is pretty darn effective.

A few women may get early symptoms shortly after conception. However, I don't think this is the norm. I'm 12 weeks pregnant, and my first symptom was a missed period. I didn't even start having sore breasts until I was around 9 weeks along (though many women do get sore breasts sooner than this). Morning sickness generally sets in at 6-8 weeks (this is 2-4 weeks after the missed period).

BCPs can cause sore breasts and nausea too. That is probably what it is. You also tested too early. At the most, you can test 4 days before you expect your period with an early detection test; the most reliable results come after your period is late.

[WatersOfMarch]

Well, the only reason I'm not trusting my BCP completely is that I have been keeping it in my purse and with that comes changes in temperature, like when I take it in the car (though, if it's more than a 15 minute ride, i turn the AC on in the car) and my home does not have central air, so the temperature fluxuates to those above the recommended storage temp.

I've been known in the past to be a little nutty with fear of pregnancy so I'm likely more worried than I should be.