Did you know that the symptoms for premenstrual syndrome or PMS and pregnancy are almost the same? Like many women, you might have mistaken the PMS symptoms for pregnancy signs, especially when conception is not planned.
This has caused many to wait anxiously for up to a fortnight to find out whether or not conception took place because of the similarity in the symptoms for PMS or pregnancy. For this reason it is important to understand the difference between the symptoms.
First and foremost, it can be extremely difficult for you to stay patient for two weeks, which is between your ovulation time and when your cycle is expected to begin, to know whether or not you are pregnant if you are trying to conceive. During this period of waiting, you might experience some symptoms that are similar to PMS.
This will make it nearly impossible for you to distinguish between PMS and pregnancy if you are expecting your first child. In these instances, doctors suggest that a pregnancy test is the only reliable method to know if conception occurred.
There are certain PMS symptoms that are not typical signs of pregnancy. For this reason, the common symptoms of pregnancy and PMS are highlighted below along with some explanations to help you distinguish one from the other.
Premenstrual Syndrome
PMS or premenstrual syndrome is a clinical condition classified by physical and psychological signs that may arise after the ovulation and ends with the onset of next period.
PMS comprises a variety of symptoms that females experience one or two weeks before the onset of their menstrual cycle. Every woman in her life may go through some degree of PMS.
The clinical signs and symptoms of PMS are very vast, and there are over 100 clinical signs that attribute to PMS. The physical symptoms are associated with hormonal imbalance whereas the acute symptoms are deliberating and the severe signs and symptoms are linked with irregular periods.
Pregnancy with typical signs and symptoms of PMS is possible. More than 90% of women experience PMS, however clinically there is no reliable association between Pregnancy and PMS Symptoms.
Researchers are still investigating the exact cause of these clinical PMS symptoms.
There are certain PMS symptoms that are not typical signs of pregnancy. For this reason, the common symptoms of pregnancy and PMS are highlighted below along with some explanations to help you distinguish one from the other.
Symptoms of PMS
PMS or Premenstrual syndrome takes place before the monthly period, which is usually in the second part of the menstrual cycle.
The symptoms refer to different physical, behavioral and emotional changes in the body. This condition will affect most women at some time in their lives, but persons experience it more in their late twenties and early forties.
These symptoms include bloating, fatigue, anxiety, dizziness, acne, leg pain, headaches, joint ache, migraine, muscle ache, low feelings, tearfulness, low sex drive, weight gain, swollen breasts, increased anxiety, difficulty sleeping, abnormal aggression, tenderness in breasts, less alert, abdominal discomfort, cramps, lower back pain, food cravings, changes in sleep pattern, abnormal changes in hair and skin, nipple discharge, and increased sensitivity to noise and light.
Please note that every woman will experience different PMS symptoms. You might experience similar symptoms monthly or slightly different ones with erratic intensity.
Symptoms of Pregnancy
Similar to PMS, symptoms of a pregnancy will be different for every woman. Some of the most common symptoms will be highlighted below, but bear in mind that they might necessarily be the same unless confirmed by your doctor.
These symptoms include missed period, cramps, leg pain, bloating, mood swings, pregnancy acne, constipation, nipple discharge, darkening of areola, morning sickness, breast tenderness, swelling in breasts, shortness of breath, backaches, headaches, fainting or dizziness, tingly or sore breasts, increased basal body temperature, urge to urinate frequently, extreme fatigue, implantation bleeding or spotting, breasts feeling fuller or heavier, milky/white vaginal discharge, food aversions or cravings, as well as increased sensitivity to odors, both pleasant and unpleasant.
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN PMS AND PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS
The following are some clinical signs and symptoms which are common in both conditions, PMS and Pregnancy
Breast pain:
Breast pain is the common symptom in both situations, PMS and pregnancy. Few other changes should be noticed such as swelling, or enlargement of the breast during early pregnancy as well as before period. The sensitivity of breast would be increased in both conditions, PMS, and pregnancy.
Back pain:
Back pain is the second most important and common symptom that can be experienced either a female is pregnant or her period is approaching. It is not a very severe type of back pain, but some women with other health complications might feel it quite painful.
Constipation:
Constipation is the other common symptom which can be observed in both conditions, PMS, and pregnancy. The leading cause of constipation is the digestive disturbance caused by an elevation of progesterone hormone levels during the second half of the menstrual cycle or early pregnancy.
Stress and Anxiety:
Stress, anxiety, and irritability are symptoms that can be experienced during early pregnancy and PMS. Mood changes are experienced during anxiety women might experience crying spells and sad feelings during that period.
Frequent Urination:
Frequent urination is the other important symptom which is common is PMS and pregnancy. Increased amount of urination also depends upon the liquid intake but as a symptom increased urination can happen without consuming much liquids.
Difference between PMS and Pregnancy Symptoms
The following will highlight some of the symptoms that might help you differentiate PMS from pregnancy:
Implantation bleeding or spotting: This usually happens six to twelve days after egg fertilization whenever the fertilized egg affixes itself to the uterus linings. The bleeding is lighter, shorter, and the blood will have a brownish or pink color.
Missed period: If your menstrual cycles are regular, then this will be one of the reliable pregnancy symptoms that you will experience.
Frequent urination: When you are pregnant, your uterus will grow and then push against your urinary bladder. You will have a regular urge to urinate when this happens.
Shortness of breath: Like most pregnant women, you might feel shortness of breath during this time. This happens because the developing embryo needs extra needs oxygen. According to experts, you should report to a doctor immediately if you feel this symptom suddenly and it’s accompanied by pain or worsens when you are lying down.
Morning sickness: This symptom is experienced by nearly 90% of women during pregnancy. It is referred to as a feeling of nausea and can take place at any time during the day.
Increased sensitivity to odors: You might develop extreme dislikes for certain smells and odors when you are pregnant. These include ones that might have been pleasant to you before.
Darkening of the areola: An increase in your estrogens levels will expand the areolar size, causing it to darken as your pregnancy progress.
Increased basal body temperature: This is a most likely positive pregnancy sign if it persists for eighteen days or more after ovulation.
All in all, it might be easier to deduce the difference between pregnancy and PMS symptoms in black and white than when it’s the real thing. As an example, most cases occur when a missed period is a false alarm for pregnancy.
This too can be said for darkening of the areola, among other things. In the end, the best way to know if you are experiencing pregnancy or PMS symptoms will be to take a pregnancy test.
References:
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1. Samadi, Z., Taghian, F., & Valiani, M. (2013). The effects of 8 weeks of regular aerobic exercise on the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in non-athlete girls. Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research, 18(1), 14.
2. Ryu, A., & Kim, T. H. (2015). Premenstrual syndrome: a mini review. Maturitas, 82(4), 436-440.
3. Baker, L. J., & O’Brien, P. M. S. (2012). Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): a peri-menopausal perspective. Maturitas, 72(2), 121-125.
4. Foxcroft, K. F., Callaway, L. K., Byrne, N. M., & Webster, J. (2013). Development and validation of a pregnancy symptoms inventory. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 13(1), 3.
5. Winkel, S., Einsle, F., Wittchen, H. U., & Martini, J. (2013). Premenstrual symptoms are associated with psychological and physical symptoms in early pregnancy. Archives of women’s mental health, 16(2), 109-115.
6. Earnshaw, V. A., Rosenthal, L., Lewis, J. B., Stasko, E. C., Tobin, J. N., Lewis, T. T., … & Ickovics, J. R. (2012). Maternal experiences with everyday discrimination and infant birth weight: A test of mediators and moderators among young, urban women of color. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 45(1), 13-23.
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Hi my name is sarah. I had sex with my boyfriend on the 26th of dec which was unprotected. I’ve taken 4 tests and all came back negative but still haven’t gotten my period. I only have cramps and sore breaths like I do when I’m getting PMS.
Hi Sarah. Without knowing when your period was or when your period is due there is no information as to what the possibility of being pregnant is. If you give more information as to when your period was going to start, when your last cycle started we might be able to give more information.
Hi am Mitei, had sex with my boyfriend on 9, 1o,11, 12, 22,23 and 24 of my cycle. Now have missed my periods for three days now. Can I be pregnant? Please help
Hi there Mitei, take a pregnancy test 7 days post a missed period to confirm pregnancy.
My last period was 12/22/17. My husband and I had sex on the 28, 30, 3, and tonight. I’m in my ovulation week according to the ovulation calendars from 12/30/17 – 1/7/18. This whole week I have had nausea, sore boobs, and now a headache. Today my breakfast did not taste right at all. What is going on? I know it’s too early for pregnancy symptoms. I just don’t know why I’m feeling so strange during my ovulation week. Is that normal?
Hello Renee, please see the link below re ovulation symptoms: https://womanjunction.com/usual-ovulation-symptoms/
Hello I am 46 years old.. My cycle is never late.. I had a full cycle in November none in December. My symptoms are, hot flashes, lower stomach cramps nausea mood swings and heavy breast. I took pregnancy test came back negative. What could that mean?
Hello Mary, did you take the pregnancy test 7 days post your missed period? If not retake the pregnancy test at this time.
Hi. I just have my period, but it only lasted for 2 days. I don’t know that’s normal or not? I been feeling neasous, lightheaded, bloated and I been not eating well at all for the past 5 days. I don’t know how i can tell if my breast are sore or tender. But there’s stretch marks and veins around it. I took a pregnancy test 3 times and it all comes negative. What should I do?
Hello Elle, if you have missed your next period then take a pregnancy test 7 days after. All the best.
Hi I’m Iona. I have the Mirena coil but have tender breasts and am covered in spots. I’ve also been nauseous. Can you get pregnant on the coil?
Hello Iona-Davina, there have been rare occurrences of pregnancy cases with women while on the coil. The only way to know for sure is by taking a pregnancy test.
I say yes. I had the assure procedure where my tubes are blocked with coils. I still got pregnant with it in.
According to my calendar, I had unprotected sex on the first day of my fertility window (10.25). I usually try not to have sex during that time but when I realized I did I couldn’t help but feel a little gitty at the thought of becoming pregnant. Anyways, my period is now two days late and I’ve been experiences a few symptoms. Headaches, increased appetite, random small cramps, more frequent urination, light nausea, gas, dizziness, bigger/heavier boobs (but not sore as they feel when I’m PMS’ing). They first started appearing 9 days after having sex (11.3- gas, dizziness, more frequent urination, and headaches) but the rest I started noticing after two weeks (11.8). I took two Equate test and the where negative the day my period was supposed to start (11.13). Should I test again next week, as I am two days late (11.15) or am I just psyching myself out?
Add note: My period has never been late except when I was stressing about paying for some classes early this year but it’s been back on track since then and I don’t feel I have been stressed lately. Also the only PMS symptoms I have is tender breasts and when my period starts I have loss of appetite and fatigue.
Hi there Janise, take a pregnancy test 7 days after your missed period.
We’re you pregnant??
i’m coleen i’ve been having a regular period for a 32 days cycle. I used calendar method last month and it says, i’m safe to be pregnant. my last period was on sept 1 and i had my last sex on sept 30 and oct 2 ..but my period was supposed on oct 3 but until now it hasnt came And i do have symptoms like breast pain cramps lower backpain,, bloated, constipation, urinate frequently, depression and severe mood swings.i visited my obgyne last sept 9 and she took me a provera pill 10mg once daily for 10 days.. and it was 24 days late of my period . , i used urine pregnancy test for almost 5 times day after day and it was negative. Am i possibly pregnant??
Hi there Coleen, you say you are 24 days late, a PT would have been able to tell if you are pregnant or not.
Hi i had my period last aug 15..had sex aug 27..took 4tabs of diane after..got vaginal bleeding at sept 2 look like menstrual bleeding..took again dian sept 3 up to 21 days..got my period sept 28, its heavier like my normal period..then i didnt took pills anymore, no sex..waiting for my period now but im nervous cause i have tingling sensation on my breast with milk discharge..am i pregnant
Hello J, the only way to know if you’re pregnant is by taking a pregnancy test, do so 7 days after a missed period.
My name is Nellie. I’m 45 yrs. I have been on Depo(3mths type) contraceptive since 2010 but had to stop its use in February 2017 because of prolonged cycle of 46-48days. This prolonged bleeding lasted for 3mths. It was characterized with heavy and thick blood clots so I was advised by the doctor to stop its use. I was also told that I can’t use any other contraceptive as they were all hormone based except for billings method. My husband is not interested in using condoms so sex has been minimized But lately I’ve been having sore nipples during mid monthly menstrual cycle. It’s feels sore and painful to touch. It usually last 5-8 days. I’m confused because I’ve never felt this soreness before now.
Hello there Nnenna, this could be a normal symptom associated with your period, especially since the discontinued use to the Depo Provera.
Hi. I’m Rhej. I’ve been having a regular period for a 28 days cycle. I used calendar method last month and it says, i used to be pregnant. And i do have symptoms like itchiness in my breast and belly part, lower back aches, acne breakouts, hot flashes, bloated, constipation, urinate frequently, depression and severe mood swings. But i had my period this month, it was 2 days late. After the 3rd day of my period, i used urine pregnancy test and it was negative. Am i possibly pregnant eventhough i had my period?
Hello Rhej, take pregnancy test 7 days after missed period.
I had sex with my boyfriend regularly from the beginning of last month my period is one day late and I’m so freaked out
I had sex two weeks ago but after one week my nipples started paining me and become dark and my food appetite increase when it’s evening time I feel so weak and sleepy and I saw my period last month 24th.am I pregnant?
Hi there Agnes, do you have a missed period? Please take a pregnancy test 7 days after missed period.
I wish pms and pregnancy symptoms weren’t so similar lol. 3 days till projected Af. My husband and I have been trying for almost a year now. We have been using ovulation tests. This is the first cycle I never got a positive. Idk if the tests were wrong or if I just didn’t ovulate :/ I had a spotting last week 10 days prior to af. Now just waiting… I have some symptoms but :/ waiting to test to be sure..
Hi there MCris, please take pregnancy test 7 days after missed period to confirm this.
Hey. I had sex with my boyfriend almost everyday from July 11. My period was supposed to be in the 7th of august. However, up until now, i haven’t had my period. Been nauseated, bloated stomach, increased appetite, been having some weird dreams and always thinks about babies.. Took a urine pregnancy test 3 times and was negative. Took a blood test and showed negative. Am i pregnant or not?
Hello Jay, please see your doctor for a more thorough test (blood test) to determine if you might be pregnant. All the best.
My name is jithin!
I had sex with my girlfriend. I am sure that it was protected sex. But now the problem is that she miss her periods its been almost 6 to 8 day. What should I do?
Hello Jithin, now is a good time for your girlfriend to take a pregnancy test.