Let’s Discuss The Signs of Period vs Pregnancy!
The world seems to stop for a girl hoping to get pregnant or hoping to not be pregnant.
For some reason, everything starts revolving around pregnancy.
She starts getting vibes of pregnant women’s clothes whenever she walks down the street and sees shop windows.
This is an incredible feeling that the universe is giving you signs that you can’t miss. Pregnancy may now be within reach!
Contrarily, things can be otherwise, at the very least, on a psychological level.
- “I’m going to get my period.”
- It’s not coming this time, too.”
- Ok, it’s come…” “I’m ovulating!”
These situations are often confusing and overwhelming if you are trying to get pregnant.
Let’s find answers through pregnancy symptoms and other frequently asked questions.
Let’s Explore PMS vs Pregnancy Symptoms
There are several symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that are redeemable in early pregnancy.
Cramping and tenderness are the most common among PMS and pregnant girls and women.
However, we can differentiate the symptoms of pregnancy.
PMS vs Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and pregnancy can vary from person to person, but the most common in both cases are:
- Cramping
- Changes in mood
- Tenderness in the breasts
Let’s Discuss These Period and Pregnancy Symptoms
- Changes in mood: Early pregnancy and the days leading up to a period commonly experience changes in mood.
This can include sadness, anxiety, feeling irritable, or crying spells.
These symptoms are typically present in PMS before menstruation begins.
However, if symptoms persist and a person misses their period, they may be signaling pregnancy.
- Constipation: Research suggests 38% of people are affected by constipation during pregnancy, but this can also be a situation before periods.
There may be relief for people after their periods begin.
- Fatigue: Fatigue occurs because the progesterone contributes to tiredness and fatigue before the period begins and is likely to go away after the period begins.
Excessive tiredness can also last throughout the period, which may be a sign of iron-deficiency anemia.
This can also be a situation for pregnant women.
- Cramping: This is quite common in both PMS and pregnant people, and the earliest cramps are similar to menstrual cramps.
However, they may persist longer in pregnancy.
- Changes in Appetite: Appetite and food cravings are commonly experienced by pregnant women and can also occur with PMS.
Appetite and cravings for sweet or fatty foods or carbohydrate-rich meals can be experienced by many people with PMS.
Research indicates 50–90 cravings for specific foods in the US.
However, food aversions to other foods are less common in people with PMS than in pregnant people.
Some pregnant people crave ice or dirt-like non-food items
- Headaches and Back Pain: Headaches and back pain are possible to occur in early pregnancy and before the menstrual period because of hormonal changes.
- Breast Pain and Tenderness: Both PMS and early pregnancy commonly experience breast changes.
These changes include swelling, pain, tenderness, or sensitivity.
The severity of these symptoms may differ from person to person.
However, breast-related symptoms are most significant just before a menstrual period.
They’re not likely to get better during the period or just after it ends.
In early pregnancy, breasts may be tender to touch, and the area may sting or be sore.
Breasts often get heavier too.
They may begin after 1-2 weeks of conception and persist until childbirth.
- Bleeding or spotting: Light spotting or bleeding is called implantation bleeding and may occur in early pregnancy after 1-2 weeks of fertilization.
Implantation bleeding/ spotting is much lighter than menstruation, which some may not even notice.
Menstrual bleeding can last for 4-5 days, but spotting doesn’t typically occur in PMS.
Early Period vs Pregnancy Symptoms
Some symptoms may be more likely to indicate early pregnancy than PMS, but you can make sure by taking a home pregnancy test or visiting a doctor.
- Nipple changes: Breast changes can occur in both early pregnancy and PMS, but such changes rarely happen before the period.
A darker or larger-colored area around the nipple can suggest pregnancy.
- Nausea: Except for mild digestive discomfort, nausea and vomiting aren’t typical symptoms of PMS.
However, pregnant women commonly experience these symptoms. 80% of pregnant people experience nausea.
Nausea and vomiting often begin in the 9th week of pregnancy.
These symptoms typically subside by the trimester, or nausea occurs throughout pregnancy.
- A missed period: Missing a period is an obvious sign you may be pregnant.
You can further check with a pregnancy test.
Some pregnancy tests can suggest pregnancy earlier than others. However, some other factors can also cause a missed or late period, including:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Menopause
- Low body weight
- Stress
When Pregnancy Symptoms Start
Time varies from person to person. Some may show signs within a few days of conception, and others may not feel them for weeks after a positive pregnancy test.
Pregnancy symptoms even vary between pregnancies.
However, a missed period is typically the earliest symptom of being pregnant.
Symptoms may begin one week before a missed period.
When to Visit a Doctor
A home pregnancy test is a viable solution to check whether you’re pregnant.
If you get a positive result, it’s time to visit a doctor for confirmation and plan the next steps.
If you missed three periods in a row and your pregnancy test was also negative, it’s time to visit a doctor.
A doctor can help determine the cause of the later or missed period.
The doctor can recommend treatment options.
You’ll also get treatment if you have something underlying.
FAQs
Can you tell me the symptoms of my pregnancy before my period?
Yes, symptoms like nausea are more common in pregnancy than PMS.
However, a pregnancy test is the most accessible option to accurately determine if you’re pregnant.
How do early pregnancy signs appear?
A missed period is typically the earliest sign that a person is pregnant.
Nausea and vomiting-like morning sickness symptoms often occur around 4–6 weeks.
Some women are really in tune with their bodies and can feel something happening in their womb.
This may feel like little twinges or sensations where the fertilization of the egg occurs.
Final Thoughts
Many symptoms can occur in both pregnancy and periods, including:
- Fatigue
- Cramping
- Bleeding
- Constipation
- Mood changes
However, some symptoms typically indicate pregnancy, which includes:
- Nausea
- A missed period.
- Nipple changes
A girl hoping to get pregnant can make sure she’s pregnant through a home pregnancy test.
You should visit a doctor for confirmation or concerns about missing your period.
