Can a stomach upset affect contraception? Could I be pregnant?

[xanthora]

Hi, I feel a bit stupid asking this but basically I went on holiday with my OH three weeks ago and I got severe diarrhoea, forty times in three days (sorry if TMI!) and I was wondering if this could have affected the oral contraception I take. When I got back from holiday two weeks ago I took my monthly break from the pill and bled like usual. But now I have been feeling sick, bloated, gassy (again tmi), headachey, fatigue, achy breasts and some sharp pains in my lower stomach. I took a pregnancy test last week and it was negative but I don't know if it would be too early to tell. Is it possible that I'm pregnant?

I'm afraid so. I've known a few friends have pill failures due to D&V. I would do another test.

A pregnancy test should work 2 weeks after conception

It will stop it working

My contraception failure due to a tummy upset is currently careering around my living room, sorry.

Yes, it's possible. Tummy bugs can mean you don't absorb the pill adequately, so you need to follow the 'missed pill' protocol (should be in the pack information leaflet for your specific brand, usually additional precautions for a specified number of days).

A test should be reliable by 14 days after the end of the 'at risk' time.