Understanding the distinctions between Premenstrual syndrome PMS and pregnancy symptoms can alleviate unnecessary concerns or assumptions about Premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy symptoms.
Many women are familiar with premenstrual syndrome but may be unsure about how it differs from pregnancy symptoms, which sparks curiosity about the comparison between Premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy symptoms.
Premenstrual syndrome is a collection of symptoms that can affect a woman’s physical, psychological, emotional, and mood status before her period starts.
It can be tricky to tell the difference between symptoms of Premenstrual syndrome PMS and pregnancy symptoms, which may leave you feeling confused. PMS symptoms typically last for five to eleven days and usually go away when your period starts.1
Check out this post ‘PMS Vs. Pregnancy Symptoms: Differences And Similarities‘ to understand more about the unique signs and similarities between PMS and early pregnancy symptoms.
Premenstrual syndrome Symptoms PMS Vs. Pregnancy Symptoms
Anna, a mother, shares how being able to tell the difference between PMS and early pregnancy symptoms was beneficial for her. She mentioned that knowing what her typical PMS symptoms are was helpful. For those who are trying to get pregnant and are unsure if their symptoms are due to PMS or early pregnancy, keeping a symptom journal based on their usual monthly experiences can be very useful. By comparing these entries to symptoms from previous months, any abnormal changes can be identified and the possibility of pregnancy can be considered.
First, we need to recognize the distinctions between Premenstrual syndrome Symptom PMS and pregnancy symptoms. After that, we can look at the symptoms that are shared between Premenstrual syndrome Symptoms PMS and Pregnancy Symptoms.
1. Experiencing Fatigue
Premenstrual syndrome Symptoms PMS: You may experience fatigue before your period starts, even if you haven’t exerted yourself. Participating in physical activities can enhance your quality of sleep and decrease tiredness.
Pregnancy Symptoms: If your periods are late and you feel very tired, it could be a sign of pregnancy. This fatigue may continue during the pregnancy because of increased progesterone levels which can lower blood pressure and sugar levels. Eating well, doing deep breathing exercises, taking short naps, and staying hydrated can be helpful.
2. Having Bleeding
Premenstrual syndrome Symptoms PMS: You may not experience any bleeding or spotting before your menstrual cycle begins.2 Once your period begins, you may experience heavier bleeding that could last for a week.
Pregnancy Symptoms: During implantation, which occurs 6 to 12 days after conception, some women may experience light spotting in the form of pink or dark brown discharge. This spotting is a result of the embryo attaching itself to the uterus and can last for a few days, shorter in duration than a typical period.3
3. Feeling Nausea and vomiting
Premenstrual syndrome Symptoms PMS: In rare instances, women may feel nauseated with delayed periods, but it is uncommon for them to vomit.4
Pregnancy Symptoms: During the initial stages of pregnancy, many women experience nausea. If you are experiencing severe nausea along with a delay in your period, it could indicate a possible pregnancy. Nausea typically starts between two to eight weeks after conception and can last throughout the entire pregnancy. This phenomenon, commonly referred to as morning sickness,can happen at any time of the day.
4. Having Food cravings
Premenstrual syndrome Symptoms PMS: During PMS, it is common for your eating patterns to shift. You may find yourself yearning for sugary treats, chocolate, carbs, or salty snacks, and experiencing an increased hunger. Despite the strong desire for certain foods, it is possible to successfully resist these cravings and urges.5
Pregnancy Symptoms: During pregnancy, you may experience strong cravings and a greater appetite for certain foods, as well as a dislike for others. Some pregnant women may also experience a rare condition called pica, where they have the urge to consume non-food items like paint flakes, metal pieces, and ice.6 If you are experiencing this, it is important to seek advice from your doctor promptly. These symptoms are not typically seen in premenstrual syndrome PMS.
5. Feeling Abdominal or pelvic cramping
Premenstrual syndrome Symptoms PMS: During premenstrual syndrome, it is common to experience cramps or dysmenorrhea, with the severity dependent on genetic factors and individual body systems. However, once menstruation begins, the pain and bloating typically lessen and gradually subside as the period progresses. As women age, the abdominal cramps and associated pain are likely to decrease.
Pregnancy Symptoms: In the initial phases of pregnancy, there is a possibility of experiencing mild abdominal cramps and spotting as the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus. These cramps usually manifest in the lower back or abdomen and can endure for a longer duration than usual PMS symptoms.
Similarities Between Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms PMS And Pregnancy
If you are experiencing the symptoms outlined below, distinguishing between an impending menstrual cycle and possible pregnancy may pose a challenge.
- Pain in the back: Back pain is common when your period is coming soon or when you are expecting a baby.7
- Headaches: Headaches and migraines are frequently experienced by women during pregnancy and before menstruation.
- Constipation: The progesterone hormone can cause digestive problems like constipation. When progesterone levels increase in the second half of the menstrual cycle, it can also worsen PMS symptoms in women. Hormonal changes at the beginning of pregnancy may also lead to constipation.8
- Tender and swollen breasts: Before your period and in early pregnancy, you may feel sore breasts, pain, swelling, tenderness, heaviness, sensitivity, and enlargement.9
- More frequent urination: During either your menstrual cycle or early stages of pregnancy, you may notice increased frequency in urination.
- Changes in emotions or feelings: Irritability, depression, anxiety, crying spells, and mood swings are common symptoms experienced before menstruation and during pregnancy. A study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research showed that mood generally stayed consistent during the research period. However, there was a decrease in positivity and an increase in irritability among all participants and groups in the first trimester. In the long-term observation group, positivity increased and irritability decreased in mid-pregnancy, but then slightly reversed towards the end of pregnancy.
If you are trying to conceive or have forgotten to take birth control, these signs may cause anxiety. Look out for different symptoms that could suggest pregnancy instead of premenstrual syndrome.
According to an expert, PMS and pregnancy can present similar symptoms despite having distinct underlying causes. When experiencing PMS, the symptoms are typically linked to hormonal fluctuations occurring in the week leading up to menstruation. Estrogen levels reach their peak in the middle of the menstrual cycle during ovulation, while progesterone levels peak just before the onset of the period.10 Conversely, during pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone levels gradually increase, along with another hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin which peaks in the first trimester.
Uncommon signs of pregnancy are less probable to happen during premenstrual syndrome
Certain symptoms are unique to pregnancy and may not appear during the time leading up to a period of experiencing PMS.
- The darkening of the nipple: Estrogen levels rise in the body, causing the areola size or nipple to increase. As pregnancy advances, this growth results in the darkening of the areola, which may persist post-delivery.11
- Changes in the consistency and quality of cervical mucus: Changes in cervical mucus are a common sign of ovulation.12 If a woman is pregnant, the mucus will become white, milky, and thin. It may also have a sticky consistency.
- Difficulty in breathing: A reduced ability to breathe can occur due to the uterus expanding and putting pressure on the abdomen, which limits the room available for oxygen exchange.
- Elevation in core body temperature: During pregnancy, the basal body temperature (BBT) will increase slightly by 0.5 to 1.5°F soon after ovulation and remain elevated.
Determining the accurate cause of your symptoms is crucial in determining if you are pregnant. To differentiate between PMS and pregnancy symptoms, the most effective method is to conduct a home pregnancy test if your menstrual cycle is delayed.
When Should You Should Consult A Doctor?
It is advisable to see your physician if you experience any abnormal symptoms or have any worries regarding them.
If a favorable outcome is observed on a home pregnancy test, additional testing may be conducted by a medical professional to confirm the results. If subsequent testing shows a negative outcome for pregnancy but menstrual cycles do not return to normal, further examinations may be necessary. Treatment plans will be recommended according to the root cause of the issue determined by the medical provider.
Understanding the distinction between symptoms of premenstrual syndrome PMS and early pregnancy can assist in managing expectations and alleviating unnecessary worries. Symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, fatigue, food aversions, cravings, abdominal and pelvic cramping, nausea, and vomiting can be present in both PMS and the early stages of pregnancy.
Additionally, individuals may experience mood swings, increased frequency of urination, breast tenderness, and constipation. Specific pregnancy indicators include alterations in cervical mucus and darkening of the nipples.
If menstruation does not occur as expected, individuals may choose to wait until their anticipated period date to conduct home urine pregnancy tests. Seeking medical advice is recommended for further guidance and support in such situations.
Key Pointers of ‘PMS Vs. Pregnancy Symptoms: Differences And Similarities
- Premenstrual symptoms have the potential to impact a woman’s overall well-being, encompassing her emotional, physical, and psychological health, and commonly endure for a duration of 5 to 11 days preceding the onset of menstruation.
- The occurrence of symptoms such as bleeding, cramps, abdominal pain, and fatigue can vary in terms of frequency and severity between premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy.
- Common symptoms of both pregnancy and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) include back pain, headaches, constipation, breast tenderness, mood fluctuations, and increased frequency of urination.
- Distinctive signs of pregnancy encompass heightened basal body temperature, nipple darkening, and alterations in cervical mucus texture.
- It is advisable to seek advice from a medical professional if you encounter any uncommon symptoms while going through your menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
