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Determining first day of period ?

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September 13th, 2010
My periods for as long as I can remember start with a dark brown dried blood discharge and then 2 days later the full on (red) menstration begins. What is considered the first day of my period in terms of calculating when I will be ovulating, etc?

I ask because I recently started using a Nuva Ring, birth control, and it instructs to start using it on the first day of your period. I waited until my blood period was full on. I assumed this would prevent pregnancy, but in retrospect, I should have used a second method for the first seven days (I had intercourse on the 3rd day). Now I experiencing all the signs of pregnancy, yet I shouldn't get my period for another week and a half.

I understand this could also be the side effects of the birth control - but what is the probability that I am pregnant? I will take a pregnancy test next week, when I would be in my fourth week of pregnancy.


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replied September 13th, 2010
Menstruation Answer A16108
Hi,
Welcome to ehealthforum.
Your first day of bleeding should have been taken as the first day when you got the dark brown bleeding (dried blood like discharge). If you are sure of the symptoms being pregnancy symptoms, and you have not used and back-up method of contraception during first month of use of Nuva ring, then chances of pregnancy are high. Hormonal contraceptives can result with giving you few symptoms resembling pregnancy. Other medications taken while being on the hormonal contraceptives can affect the efficacy of the hormonal contraceptives.
Look out for definite symptoms like breast pain, engorgement, nipple sensitivity, increased sleep, hunger and tiredness, increased fatigue, increased frequency of urination, mood changes, headaches, constipation, mild abdominal cramps, bloating etc.
Visit your gynecologist/healthcare provider to get examination done and request to get a blood beta HCG test done to confirm/rule out pregnancy as urine pregnancy tests can sometimes show false negative results.
Take care.
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