Is there a possibility I could be pregnant?

[Metalmaiden1980]

Hi! I don't really have anyone else that I am comfortable with asking about this, so here I am. I started spotting a few days ago and it ended after three days and I am afraid that it is implantation bleeding. It started ten days before my is expected and I am worried now, I'm supposed to start next week but this has been bothering me. I am on Ortho Tri-Cyclen and have been taking it for six months now. I took my pill about an hour late the day before and day of when the spotting started, I hadn't missed any pills before then (at least not recently). I feel silly for worrying at this point because here is the thing: I only had sex with my boyfriend the week before it started and he didn't even finish in me. I'm worried about precum somehow making me pregnant even though I have been taking my pills normally and I know that the chance of that happening is very low, but I would like some reassurance from someone who knows more about this than I do. I've been getting even more anxious because I am starting to exhibit some symptoms of pregnancy (although it would be early to have them if I was pregnant), but it could be PMS since I am going to start my period next week. I am having slight cramping, lower back pains, nausea and fatigue (these aren't new though), slight bloating, tender breasts, etc. I WOULD go buy a pregnancy test to ease my mind, but it is probably too early to detect anyways and I am under eighteen and don't have a license or job and I don't want my mom knowing. Is any of this normal and if not, should I worry about pregnancy or a potential health problem? Sorry for asking such a silly question, but I need my peace of mind. Thank you

[specialmom]

Hi there.  I'm glad you are on birth control.  That sure helps!  Most likely, you really ARE just late and not pregnant.  You may have some break through spotting/bleeding which might mean your pill is having some issues (see your doctor if you spot again) and you could consider using back up BC like condoms until then.  Your period should show up but you can always test when it is due if it doesn't. But the pill suppresses ovulation usually and you get shedding of the lining only in a superficial way when on the pill, not a true period as you never ovulated.  It's like you have the hormones, get to the sugar pills, no hormones so your body starts spotting/bleeding.  Then you start pill pack for next cycle and your body has the hormones again so then it doesn't bleed/shed.  So, pregnancy is really unlikely but never say never.  Nothing is full proof except not having sex.  good luck and let us know.