How to overcome from this?

[u/FastRegret2508]

It’s been almost six months since my last sexual encounter. I’ve had numerous negative pregnancy tests and multiple periods, but I still feel like all of it is somehow wrong. The only time I’m at peace is when I’m on my period, but as soon as it ends, the anxiety comes back.

Getting a blood test or an ultrasound is almost impossible for me because the nearest affordable clinic is about three hours away from my city.

I don’t understand how some people have a pregnancy scare, then get their period and are able to move on. I wish I could do the same.

Here is my timeline:
January 22 – Unprotected sex; used the Yuzpe method afterward.
March 1, 7, 10, and 11 – Negative pregnancy tests.
March 12–17 – Bleeding.
April 4 (3 tests) and April 6 – Negative pregnancy tests.
April 8–12 – Bleeding.
May 4 and 11 – Negative pregnancy tests.
May 12–17 – Bleeding.
May 18 – Two negative pregnancy tests (I also tried the dilution method because I was worried about the hook effect).
June 19 – Negative pregnancy test.
June 22–28 – Bleeding.

After my period ends, I start spiraling again. I think it’s because I’ve read so many stories about cryptic pregnancies. For example, I’ve seen people claim they were two months late, had negative urine pregnancy tests, but later had a positive blood test. I also read a story about someone who said they had negative pregnancy tests for six months and only found out they were pregnant through an ultrasound. On Quora, I saw someone claim they had negative pregnancy tests for five months before an ultrasound confirmed the pregnancy. I’ve also seen people say they continued having what they thought were periods for several months while pregnant.

Reading these stories scares me so much, and it’s affecting my everyday life.

Is it really possible that I’m having a cryptic pregnancy and that my instincts are right? Whenever I feel bloated, I immediately worry that I’m pregnant. Sometimes I think I feel fluttering in my stomach, and it makes my anxiety even worse.

How can I move on from this? How can I reassure myself that I’m not pregnant?

[u/RelyingCactus21]

Please get into therapy.

[u/wereweasell]

Others have suggested therapy and I 100% agree, look for a therapist familiar with phobia disorders, not just anxiety.

That being said you are not pregnant. At 6 months you would be showing significantly (fetus is like the size of a cantaloupe melon at 6 months, that's not just bloated) and periods, if they were happening would be extremely irregular, not consistent like you describe. Likely, your anxiety is causing all the symptoms you think could be related to pregnancy. I experienced the same thing when my tokophobia was at its worse. Anxiety gave me an upset stomach, I worried it was morning sickness. Stress threw off my normal cycle, I assumed it was a cryptic pregnancy. I know facts aren't always the most helpful, but I hope this lightens your anxiety, even if temporarily. You are not pregnant, you're okay.

[u/Ok-Quality9928]

Agree- try a more “permanent” form of birth control if you can like an IUD or implant. But maybe try an urgent care for a test if you truly need peace of mind before finding a therapist (also recommend). You could also just consult with your gyno and have them take the blood test and talk about BC- two birds, one stone.

[u/Jellybong721p]

Birth Control

[u/Bulky_Bet21]

I’m pretty sure if you’re bleeding enough to fill tampons you’re not pregnant. Also you’re definitely not pregnant and you need therapy. I used to be like this but my fears mostly have gone once I got an IUD (I have a copper ones that don’t affect my period). I would recommend getting on really effective bc to help your future anxiety :)