His and Her Health

hey everyone! <BR>I don't know if i am just worrying myself about the little things or if i should really be nervous about this. i have been getting shooting pains in my stomache and my breats have been very sore latley. will someone please give me their opinions and share with me some sypmtoms of pregnancy. i would really appreciate it. thank you.

Shooting pains in the stomach are not signs of a normal pregnancy. Sore breasts are usually associated with slightly later pregnancy when the breasts are preparing for lactation, but can occasionally happen earlier in pregnancy. Typically, women would experience missing a period and perhaps some nausea/morning sickness (which can actually happen at any time of the day, btw). Some women, however, have no symptoms and will even have bleeding during their normal menstral cycle for a few months.<P>Your best bet is to get a pregnancy test. You can acquire a fairly accurate one inexpensively at a local drugs store, or you can get a free and discreet test done at your local planned parenthood. If you're experiencing sharp pains, you should also consider seeing a physician. Sharp pains could be a symptom of anything from ovarian issues to a tubal pregnancy, and many things in between. Your doctor or a planned parenthood councilor should be able to help you with this. I would definitely go soon, however, as something like a tubal pregnancy shouldn't be let go.

Hey i really appreciate you replying to my question! I don't really know alot about these things.. so what is a tubal pregnancy?<P>

A tubal pregnancy (also known as an eptopic pregnancy) is when the egg becomes fertilized in the tubes instead of the uterus. This can be dangerous, and even fatal if not taken care of.<P>If you don't know much about pregnancy, you should consider refraining from sexual activity until you can become more informed. I am not trying to sound preachy, but being uninformed about sexual issues often leads women into poor life situations such as unwanted and/or unprepared for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (including HPV, which can cause ovarian cancer but which shows no symptoms in either the man or the woman). Sexual intercourse is not necesarry to become pregnant, or to get an STD such as herpes or AIDS. Again, I urge you to go to Planned Parenthood and seek counseling. They can provide you with discreet information and counseling about sex, pregnancy, birth control options, and risk factors. The counseling and pregnancy tests are free of charge.

hey! ok well i have another question.. every time me and my boyfriend have sex we wear a condmn and i'm on birthcontrol and if he doesn't wear a condmn he pulls out.. so we are really safe.. can i still get pregnant after doing all that?

yes. BCP's aren't 100% effective eve when taken totally correctly (though they are very affectve), and "pulling out" is virtually useless. There are sperm in his "pre-cum," which is the liquid that comes fom his penis to aid in lubrication, for starters, bwhich can just as easily get you pregnant as actual ejaculate.

thanks again for answering my questions.. i have just one more. When you go to the gyn and they can tell you've had sex.. they have to keep it confidential if you tell them to right? if someone asked them they would have to tell them no right?<BR>

How old are you? Why are you worried about someone finding out you are having sex? A doctor can not tell anyone about your medical health unless you are under a certain age that is why I am asking your age?

Yes, they have to keep it confidential unless you are under a certain age. As does the staff at a Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood will council you, however, at any age if you are, or are thinking of becoming, seuxally active. They can coucil you confidentially at any age in most states, and can provide birth control and gyn exams without parental consent in most states. To find out if your state is one of these, just call your local PP office. You can find them in the phone book (or by going ot: <A HREF="www.plannedparenthood.org/Zip.htm)," TARGET=_blank>www.plannedparenthood.org/Zip.htm),</A> and there's more excellent information at <A HREF="www.plannedparenthood.org/teens/" TARGET=_blank>www.plannedparenthood.org/teens/</A> .<P>They don't say yes or no to a question of whether or not you've had sex, they simply say tell the person asking that it is a matter of patient confidentiality. Actually, they won't even tell someone you are a patient there at all unless they have your consent to do so. If someone asks if you're a patient, the doctor (or office staff) will simply say that they cannot discuss patients due to confidentiality.<P>If you are sexually active and have never seen a gyn, I urge you to go. It is very important to take charge of your own health, and to form a relationship with a doctor so you can comfortably discuss health and seuxal matters. It is also essential to determine that you *are* healthy, and that there are no genetic factors already present. I am not sure how you are on birth control pills if you've never seen a doctor, but if they weren't perscribed specifically for you after a thorough gyn exam, then you shouldn't be taking them. All pills are not alike, and different ones are right for different people. People with certain risk factors shouldn't take birth control pills at all.<P>If you believe you are old enough and mature enough to engage in sexual activities, you should also believe yourself old enough and mature enough to accept the responsibilities that come along with that. Managing your health and family planning are two of those responsibilities. You cannot have the "fun" without taking the associated risks, and you should be aware of them and how to minimize them.<P>Again, please go to Planned Parenthood. Have a friend take you if necessary; but, if you are sexually active, this is an absolute MUST.<P><p>[This message has been edited by dona1 (edited 25 January 2004).]