I am 16 years old and me and my boyfriend of a few years just started having sex about a month ago. We have used condoms every time but I'm still worried. I have a 30 day cycle and I was supposed to start today but I didn't. I have taken two pregnancy tests and they're both negative. Im having terrible cramps and period symptoms though. Could I be pregnant?

Yes of course you could be pregnant, as you know I am sure no form of birth control is 100 percent. And condoms are known to have up to a 10 percent failure rate as normally used, and at least a 3 percent failure rate if used perfectly.

Of course most women do not have periods that are always perfect on the same date, so even two or three days plus or minus is "normal"
Also most home pregnancy tests need to wait till about a week after you missed your period, so you need to wait about 7 to 10 days from now and do the pregnancy test.

Also always use the first urine of the morning ( as soon as you wake up) for the test.

I have to reiterate what Chuck said. Yes, you could be pregnant. Condoms are not a very reliable form of birth control. The majority of people that use them, don't use them correctly.

Also, no form of birth control is 100% effective. You could double up (condoms and the pill), triple up (condoms, the pill, and IUD), even use every form of birth control on the market, and still become pregnant.

Bottom line is, if you're having sex, even with protection, pregnancy is possible.

Now, taking a test the day after you missed your period, won't be accurate. It's way too early to test. Only a small percentage of women get an accurate reading a day, week, or even 2 weeks after a missed period.

The only thing you can do is wait. If you don't get your period in the next 2 weeks, test again. Use first morning urine, and follow the directions on the pregnancy test to the letter. Or you can go for a blood test. This is sadly the only option you have. I know it sucks to wait, but it is what it is, and there's nothing you can do to change it.

If you continue to have sex, you'll be going through this every single month when you're a bit late for your period.

The only way to prevent pregnancy is to avoid having sex. I realize you're 16, and probably won't listen to what we say, because you don't think it can or will happen to you. But, it can. It really can. So, I will say this, and hope that you listen, because I was 16 once too, and sexually active. I dodged the bullet. You might not. If you're not ready to be a mom, then you're not ready for sex, because sex, even with protection, can result in pregnancy.

Are you ready to be a mom?

Im having horrible cramps and fatigue which are my normal pms symptoms. Could stress be causing this delay?

Yes

But if pregnancy scares you, hopefully this scare will stop you from taking further risks. No one should engage in sexual intercourse unless they are prepared to have a child.

Trust me, I don't think I'm pregnant but I'm still scared to death and it will never happen again

Of course it will happen again most likely but at a time when you are old enough and mature enough to be a parent if that happens

Also at a time with two or more forms of birth control for protection.

Im having horrible cramps and fatigue which are my normal pms symptoms. Could stress be causing this delay?

I don't want to scare you further, but with each of my 3 pregnancies, I experienced PMS symptoms (which are exactly like pregnancy symptoms).

Stress can definitely cause a delay. I have to ask, what are you stressed about, the possibility of pregnancy? If that's the case, then expect to have this stress every single month if you continue to have sex, because pregnancy will always be a possibility.

I really don't want to sound mean, and I know that you're scared. Been there, done that, sweated buckets, and got lucky. You may not get lucky. Those are the facts.

Right now all you can do is wait, try not to stress out, and see what happens. If you haven't gotten your period in 2 weeks, test again. Right now it's a bit early, since you said in your post that your period is due today.

Try not to stress. There are other things, other then pregnancy and stress, that can throw of your period. Medication, illness, weight loss, weight gain, etc. etc. All of those can delay your period.

But, pregnancy is in the mix. It's a possibility. Hopefully the stress of this will make you realize that you're playing with a loaded gun, and you're not ready to aim and fire.

I can only wish you luck, tell you to stop stressing until you know for sure that there's a reason to stress, and urge you to do your homework and realize that sex=pregnancy. If you're not ready to be a mom, you're not ready for sex. I know I didn't listen to that reasoning, but again, I got lucky. I never had a pregnancy that wasn't planned. But 90% of my friends did. Just fyi.

I have been stressed about school, family issues and this pregnancy thing. I have had stomach issues my entire life but I just began taking an over the counter medication late last month so I think that might be contributing as well.

I have been stressed about school, family issues and this pregnancy thing. I have had stomach issues my entire life but I just began taking an over the counter medication late last month so I think that might be contributing as well.

It could be that there are other issues contributing to the delayed period. That's a possibility. But you cannot discount pregnancy, because you are sexually active.

I think you're trying to talk yourself out of the possibility of pregnancy. I understand why, I really do, and chances are that you're not pregnant, but there is a chance that you are. You have to consider that, be aware of that. You can't play the "but, there's this and this and that, so I'm not" game. You could be. That could, it's there. It's something you have to consider, and I really do hope that you're not. I also hope that if you're not, you'll learn from this, remember how you're feeling now, and stop messing with sex. There's a reason why adults tell children not to have sex. There are very real consequences to sex, and children aren't ready to deal with them.

I hope you don't learn that the hard way. I really do. But really, you can state all the "but I'm stressed, I have family issues, etc" that you want. The fact is, pregnancy is still a possibility, and the only thing you can do is wait, see, hope, pray (if you're so inclined), and it will be whatever it is. But waiting is your only option. It's the waiting game. It sucks, it stinks, it's hard, and trust me, if you're 2 weeks late, or more, and you finally get your period, it's one lesson you'll never ever forget. If it turns out that you don't get your period, and get a positive pregnancy test instead, it's a lesson you'll live with for the rest of your life. It is what it is. Some lessons really are learned the hard way. Teen pregnancy is the hardest lesson of all.

Of course I'm trying to find reasons I wouldn't be pregnant. Im 16 and yes I made a stupid choice. But I also understand that being pregnant isn't the only possibility and being that he has only (for lack of a better phrase) came inside me once out of three times we've had sex and each time we've used protection it is doubtful. I think I'm psyching myself out but I guess I won't know for sure right now. Thanks for the advice and the answers its appreciated

I'm glad this has been a wakeup call for you. I hope it works out for you. But you will have to sweat it out for a couple of weeks.

Come back and let us know.

As it seems I am not pregnant, thank god. I realize that mistakes were made and it took this scare to make me see that something like pregnancy could happen to me