How to Tell If You Are Pregnant When Taking Oral Contraceptives

1). Assess your current bodily state. Missed period, mood changes, nausea, vomiting, light spotting, breast tenderness, bloating, water retention, weight gain, sensitivity to bright light or smells, strange food cravings, extreme hunger, dizziness, increased vaginal discharge and headaches are possible signs of pregnancy, or they could possibly be due to oral contraceptive hormone adjustment.
2). Calculate last period. These symptoms could be just normal body adjustments, especially if you are still in the second or third cycle since you began taking oral contraceptives.
3). Buy a home pregnancy test or make a doctor's appointment if you are past your normal menstruation cycle or believe you may be pregnant. Pregnancy tests, either at the doctor's office or store-bought, are designed to measure levels of human chorionic gonadotrpin (HCG), a hormone that is elevated during pregnancy. Pregnancy tests are not affected by the hormones in oral contraceptives. If there is a certain amount of HCG in your blood and urine, the test will indicate pregnancy. If the test indicates a negative result, that means you are either not pregnant or its too early to show the adequate amount of HCG to register.
4). Consult your doctor if the pregnancy test indicates a positive result, if the symptoms persist, or if you have any other concerns.