Dear Hannah, I think that I may be pregnant but I’m really not sure. I know that doctors say that your breasts begin to get swollen or tender when you’re pregnant, but it’s really my nipples that are tender.
I’m supposed to get my period around next week, but my doctor’s appointment isn’t until next month. I was wondering, should I wait until my period ends (if it comes) or just wait to go to the doctor? Also, I was wondering, is it possible for me this early to start experiencing the signs of pregnancy in the same week?
Thanks! Melina
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Dear Melina,
Excellent questions. Nipple tenderness doesn’t necessarily mean that you may be pregnant. It is believed to be caused by an excess or imbalance in the female hormones estrogen, progesterone or prolactin. Women experiencing it say it tends to get worse with emotional stress or prolonged activity.
Excessive amounts of salt, fat & caffeine can also aggravate it. It could be caused by fluid retention in your breasts, which may make them swollen and quite tender. Many people experience nipple and/or breast tenderness on a regular basis around the time of ovulation.
If your tenderness doesn’t disappear in two weeks, then I would begin getting concerned that it might be a symptom of being pregnant, though other causes are still possible. Since you haven’t missed you period yet, I wouldn’t be too concerned just yet.
If I were you, I’d wait until your regularly scheduled doctor’s visit. You could always purchase an over-the-counter pregnancy test kit and try that if you miss your next period. And, yes, it is possible to experience the signs of pregnancy during the first week (though many don’t know until they’ve missed their first period). In a future post, we’ll go over the basic symptoms of early pregnancy.
Hannah
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Thank you. This information was very helpful. So far this is the only site to explain what might be wrong with myself. I too am having nipple sensitivity. I’m 25, and I’ve started taking prenatal vitamins for the positive effects of the vitamin – not the prenatal part. (though I wish :)
I still have some concerns, my period has been really messed up for a couple of months now. But, for now, my mind has been put at ease thank you!
Mel
Some additional questions/comments from our readers:
Me and my friend had sex at the beginning of this week, and I haven’t really been feeling too good. I knew that we used a condom, but at the same time I knew that the condom had bust. I just want to know does that mean that I am pregnant cause my breast have been sore, and i had found crust around my nipple and after I peeled it off some clear stuff came out it
Shabrina
Dear Shabrina,
It’s really too early to tell if you’re pregnant; it would be best, though, to take a home pregnancy test if you miss your next period. The soreness in your breast could be related to your normal menstrual cycle (i.e. it could mean that you are ovulating right now). The nipple crusties and the clear fluid coming out of your nipples also doesn’t mean that you are pregnant; there’s debate about what exactly may cause this. Some medications are believed to do this, and overly nipple loving guys (those that just love to suck away) can irritate your boobs and some girls have experienced some leakage as a result. I wouldn’t be too concerned about this if it’s a rare event; however, if you experience the nipple leakage on a repeated basis, then I’d recommend you see your doctor to find out what they think.
Hannah
ok im 15 years old and im scared i think im pregnant ok the day i got my period i had a little bleeding but later that night i had this brown stuff on my tampon with alot blood so i used a pad for the night ok then i woke up the next morning and i had clots in it…. then later that day i used a tampon agin but the flow seemed lighter and i had bad cramps but not alot of blood and wen i used the bathroom to change my tampon and there wuz that brown discharge with a lil blood and idk wut that is im scared
Hi Hanna
July 2009 I had my periods at the same time had all the pregnancy sysmptoms.i went to the local clinic to check pregnancy the answer was “No”.I took 5 home pregnancy tests,Negative,I went to my Gynaecologist thinking i was 18 weeks,he said the uterus was empty.I went back home,told my hubby and continued with my life.
19 Jan 2010 i was at work with a big belly,i felt like i wanted to do no.2,had stomach cramps,i went to the loo after 30 minutes i gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.
What made ultrasound miss my baby?
Hannah,
For the past fw years,I nomally get my period every month on the 23rd. Last month, January I got it on the 19th. As of right now th 25th of Feb, I still have not gotten my period. What does this mean?
Dear Hannah,
I too I’m having the same problem as the previous post.
I had my period every month around the 23 or 24.
But as of Now I haven’t gotten anything, I’m 4 days late.
Me and my boyfriend have always used condoms so this is why I’m somewhat concerned
of why my period is late. I haven’t been on the pill for 4 months either.
Aside from being 4 days late my nipples are sore, and yesterday
when I was going to Donate blood, I was told my iron is low.
The normal iron level is 12.5 and I had 12.
What does all thes sign mean?
Please help.
( I’ll also will be going to the doctors tomorrow to
see what’s going on)
Thank you.
Hey everyone! If you’ve got questions for me, your best bet is now using the Submit A Question tab at the very top of the website. I’ll do my best to then post your question with my answer on a new blog post. Thnx!!!
Dear Everyone,
Okay.. I am 20 years old, healthy and have a heart shaped uterus. I had a chemical pregnancy last month, i had unprotected sex on the 11 and 13th of may, I ovulated on the 14th..pretty sure, then bleed brown on the 21st. I took a pregnancy test on monday and today both negative. i have been cramping a little, but only when i walk for a long time, and if i drink water it stops. I have been having some insane mood swings. i rarely eat, and when i do i feel sick afterwards and sore nipples, with headaches.. I had a little spot of blood today, but that was it. I am supposed to start my period tomorrow. I am getting a blood test done on friday, but the likelyhood of 2 pregnancy test being negative which were first response, i dont think i have a good chance of being pregnant.. thoughts??
Samantha,
Has your doctor discussed with you the pregnancy risks associated with having a heart shaped (bicornuate) uterus? Theoretically, if you did ovulate right after the chemical pregnancy/miscarriage, you could get pregnant right away. With many, though, there is a delay between the miscarriage and the next ovulation. Also, if you are pregnant, the HPTs might not be able to pick up the hCG because it could be too early for you. Which is why I always recommend to take a urine pregnancy test on the day when your expected period would have ended. Usually, by then, there is an adequate level of hCG in your urine (assuming it’s early morning pee!) to be picked up by the urine tests.
What’s the possibitlity of me being pregnant if I have been sick throughtout the day for a month now, my period was 2 wks late and very light, my stomach is gaining weight and hard on the lower part, but I have tooken like 3 pregnancy tests and they came out negative..? Me and my boyfriend been having unprotected sex for probably a month and a half now and really want a baby. Please helpp.
What the possibitlity of me being pregnant i was on birth control the (implaton) took it out havent had sex since or got my period…got back with my boyfriend having unprotected sex all of the sudden i get my period ive been having pain on the lower part of my stomach,back lower pain,and headaches…… can you please help me
i also forgot having sore nipples and very uncomfortable wearing bras
I am 37 years old. I have always been regular. I have not had a period for a few weeks. I have taken two preg. test they have both been negative. I have noticed that my nipples feel sore to the touch but other than not having a period no other symptoms. Is it too soon to be sure that i could be with child. Or could it be something else i am overlooking? Concerned!
ithink im pregnant but im not suree . ihad unprotected sex && ireally dont have that many symptoms ‘ ibeen wanting to throw up after i eat ndd ipee more that beforee But ihavent Feel My Breast Swollen/tender .
please help me!
Hi my name is anita. i am turning 21 soon and think i might be pregnant! i have very tender nipples and there is a sticky discharge coming from my nipple. my tummy looks a bit swolen and i have the weirdest mood swings. i cry all the time! there is one catch though. i am still haveing my period. i realy need this. its been my dream to have a family of my own!
Thanx
Hi, my tubes been tired for 13 years now.. My monthly bill, comes every month on time..my breast hurt from base to nipples; now leak clear fluid. My husband, suck my breast he shout something squrt in my mouth, I squeeze them n fluid fly out..It hurts b4 my monthly bill n still after..I also have movement in my belly like baby kick all the time;till it hits my hip bones. I feel the need for more sex from my husband..can u please tell me whats happening to me with my tubes tired? thanks Moefiyha
Hi I’m 21 and me and my husband r trying to get pregnant with r first child,I’m havein some signs but negative home pregnancy test.I’m 23 days late for my period,sore nipples,always tired,feel sick to stomach all the time,back hurts once in a while.what could be wrong with me.
hi christy, im 23 and im pregnant with my first child. i have all the symptoms u have and i was doing pregnancy tests which were all coming back negative. untill 3 wks ago n it was negative infact all 9 was lol wen i had it confirmed by my doctor he says im 12wks so just dont rely on tests go see your doctor. some times you can do a test too early.
Hello
Im 21 and i have been experiencing sore and tender boobs for just over a week now, im due to get my period tomorrow, i am not on any birth control, i am also trying to get pregnant with my boyfriend. Could this mean that i am pregnant?
Hi,My name is Natasha Im 23 yrs old I been with my boyfriend who is 30 for having unprotected sex for about 2yrs we havent been preventing not becoming pregnant at all and still no baby.With my first daughter and other boyfriend the first time I got pregnant.My boyfriend now has no children. could it be me because I did have bacterial vaginosis.help please!!
Dear Tasha,
No, I wouldn’t say that your episode with bacterial vaginosis would be “to blame” for your not getting pregnant after having unprotected sex for 2 years. I would, however, definitely recommend that your boyfriend be checked for fertility. Possibly, his sperm count is low (or another issue exists) which is making it difficult for you to become pregnant. And, if his sperm count is low, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for you to successfully have a baby; be sure to talk with a fertility doctor about what options are available. In the event his fertility is found to be completely normal, then I would definitely recommend you see a doctor yourself. Please keep us updated!
Best wishes,
Hannah
i was on the depo shot about 4 months ago… i was suposed to get my period in september and never did, its already october 24 my nipples are extremely tender and have been for about 3 days, I havent gotten my period and i have had unprotected sex, but i have taken 2 pregnancy tests and they both came out negative, does it matter if they are from the dollar store? or am i just really not pregnant?
hi hannah thank you so much u helped me alot…i hope everything works out for the best! I’ve been having tender nipples for the last 5days but I had this before but I wasnt pregnant I dont wanna get my hopes up but what could it be, could I be pregnant?
hello hannah its me again well i still have the tender nipples and i got my period 10-29-10 and its 10-31-10 and im having little to no bleeding the first day it was heavy with cramps second day light flow and now just spotting with little to no blood help..what could this be i dont want to get my hopes up!!
Hi All, I am 17 and me an my boyfriend have been together for 3 years now and are trying for a baby. I had the implant in for 2 years and did not have a period. I then had the implant removed a month ago and the doctor said i should start to get my period in about 2 weeks to a month but nothing so far and the last two days or so my nipples have been really sore. What do you think? Could i already be pregnant? x
hey ive been off my birth conroll for about 2 weeks now..i had sex 3 times…2 times in one day about a week after i got off my bc and then the day before i noticed i was ovulating…when would be a time to take a pregnancy test…like how many weeks should i wait?
Hi Hannah,my period is 6days late.I ad my period 4days earlier last month.am also aving a tender nipple.ad an unprotectd sex wit my partner days b4 my last period.does ds mean am pregnant???
I’ve not actually had sex yet but lately I got tender nipples, gained weight but only in my stomach, and my hips have gotten wider. Is there anyway I can be pregnant without actually have sex?
I have been off bc pill over 1 year now and I want a a baby so bad. Now I don’t ever get a period. I need help to get pregnant.I also have bicornate uterus. But I have been pregnant b4 so I know its possible
Dear Kim,
I would definitely recommend you see your OB/GYN.
Best luck,
Hannah
hello Hannah
I’m just curious about morning after pills and ovulation dates. What will be their effect if I took them 4 days before the ovulation date, when then will ovulation happen? Also what are the effects if I take the same pill two more times within the month? Will nipple tenderness occur then? And lastly when will be a good time to take a pregnancy test if the menstrual cycle was originally 28 days to begin with?
Suzan,
That’s a huge dose of hormone! Most likely, taking it 4 days or so before your expected ovulation would make your body hold off on ovulating (that’s the primary purpose of Plan B); however, I’m not certain for how long. Did you experience any bleeding after taking the first dose? Taking two more doses in the same month could increase your chances for side effects, if you’re prone to such, and tender nipples would fall into that group. It’s much safer for your body to just be on a daily birth control pill in contrast with occasional heavy doses of the same drug.
As far as taking a HPT, I would still take it right away after your next expected period should have ended. That much Plan B, however, is known to make your next period delayed or skipped altogether.
So i did a pregnancy test also on Tuesday of this week it came up negative. Should i still worry about pregnancy, even though i downed all those pills?
…ah im curious about what u said last; skipped period?? For how long could that take? And can i have unprotected sex during this week as it should be when my next cycle should start (this Sat or Sunday).
If you know the date of your last period and the date that you should have your next period, then a home pregnancy test should be taken when you would have expected your next period to have ended. By that time, the level of hCG in your urine (especially if you take the home pregnancy test with your concentrated early morning urine) should be high enough for a pregnancy test to detect it. And, be sure to use a condom regardless of when you think your next cycle should start.
Most likely, the hormones from the Plan B pills have messed up your system adequately to the point that you are not pregnant. However, I would strongly recommend that you start taking daily birth control pills (it’s kinder on your body and more reliable) and, until you start taking birth control, whenever you have sex, be sure to use a condom.
I have been using contraception for 6 months,I had sex on the 4 th of June and i took a pill but then my 22 pill next day I didnt take cuz I allready had belly hurting it happens always before my period,so I left it.After a few days I had my period and during the period I had sex on the last days I was using condom,I mean my partner,and even after my period also I was using protection,now for a couple of days my nipples are hurting it happened before once but i wasn;t pregnant .Is it possible I could be pregnant now?I was using contraception and condoms is it because i didnt take that last pill?please answer
about a month ago i was havin protected sex but wen we finished we noticed the condom broke we went and got the morning after pill the last day i could take it which was within the 72 hours but i havnt had a period i had spotting for a couple days i took a home pregnancy test and it said negitive but im experinecing tender nipples and some cramping is there a possiblitie that im pregnant