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! I’ve been having really bad cramps then usual. My period came 3 days late and usually my cramps and back pain would stop the day my period starts but I feel that it’s gotten worse then before my period. And plus my period is heavier then normal and with lots of clots (sorry for tmi). What does it mean?!?
Hi, Passing blood clots during menstruation can be normal.However, passing large blood clots may be a sign that something’s wrong.Your doctor can determine if there’s an underlying problem causing your heavy periods. Your doctor may recommend a blood test to check for anemia, a blood condition that can cause you to feel weak or tired. Your doctor may also recommend an ultrasound of your pelvis. Sometimes hormonal medications are prescribed to help regulate heavy bleeding.
Hi my name is Heidi, and I had unprotected sex around the beginning of this month my period is supposed to come on the 26th. But last week I was feeling a bit nauseous I had headaches my breast a little bit sore right now but I did not have any implantation bleeding. And I have not taken a pregnancy test yet.
Hi i was 4 days late on may,my period came but it lasted for 3 days but i usually go around 9 days.i had a white discharge a week before my periods and it continued .2 weeks later with abdominal low pains,i went to the clinic and they injected me and gave me some pills,same day i vomited and i was dizzy.next morning i feel like vomiting but i ate nothing,it persists even during the day and my nipples are sensitive and a bit sore,my areolas are fat and i go to loo now and then.
Hi Lettie, I think you should consult the doctor who gave you those pills so that you can get a better answer for the effects you are having.
Hii.my wife had her last period on may 15.31st was her ovulation day.she was having a 28 day cycle.she was weak n was showing pregnancy symptoms.today she had brown spots.but light bleeding.not like her normal periods.is she pregnant or not
Hi, yes spotting is one of the symptom of pregnancy. Your wife should take a pregnancy test to confirm.
Hi there, I had sex with my boyfriend 2 days before ovulation (June 2nd) and it was protected. We also had sex without the condom 3 days past ovulation but he didn’t cum inside me. I’m supposed to be getting my period in 3 days. My symptoms are breast tenderness, soreness that come and go but it feels really bad at times. I also started having pelvic pain on my left side of my pubic bone that happened on Friday June 10th and it is on going. Help! I’m not sure if this is just pms because I’m not really experiencing anything other than slight acne that happened this weekend.
Hi Sun!
it could be PMS but nonetheless, since the sexual activity took place almost during your fertile period, we cannot rule out the chances of getting pregnant. all you need do is wait for 10 days from the normal time you are supposed to be on your period to take a PT, if your period does not come as at when due.
regards
I am not quite sure who to ask, so I turn to the internet. After several weeks of research, I think I may have successfully stressed myself out even more… My period begins around the 7th or 9th of the month and lasts about 5-7 days. In April, I had my period on the 7th through the 11th. On the 23rd of April, I had engaged in sexual intercourse. The following week, though, I got real sick – come to find out that I had tonsillitis. Here’s the thing: On the 28th of April, I woke up to find that I had stained my underwear because my “period” came. From the 28th to the 29th of April, I had a flow heavy enough to wear I had to wear pads (several blood clots, too). But by the evening of the 29th, the flow had come to a stop. With the exception of a small leak on the 30th, all I had was spotting. My friends speculated that my early and whacked out period was due to me being sick and incredibly stressed out… So I waited it out, nervously. I have this app on my phone that calculates your periods. According to the app, my next period was due on the 27th of May. Instead, it came on the 23rd and lasted until the 28th. I had, again, a flow in which I was forced to wear pads and dealt with the cramps that come with Aunt Flo. But what worries me is that, according to what I read online, people said they still had “period – like” bleeding all throughout their pregnancy or at least for the first few months. I also read that people still tested negative and found out in month 5 or so that they were pregnant. Could there be a possibility that I am pregnant? Or was what I had actually my period?
It is one of two ways. It’s either the irregularity and heaviness of your period is secondary to your illness or pregnancy like you are also thinking. However, you could go for scan to rule out or confirm pregnancy whichever way.
regards
Okay So Right Now It Feels As If I’m Ovulating twice this Month..because earlier in the month I had unprotected sex and he didn’t withdraw and based on taht me having pelvic pain on my left side I just knew I was ovulating..and today and yesterday I’ve been having the same pain again but worst and I had unprotected sex twice this week.. My period isn’t due until either the 15th or 16th…but I’ve been having bad lower back pain lately with the pelvic pain and I’m just sure I’m pmsing and my periods are about to start..but I’m not sure if I’m mistaking pmsing for pregnancy symptoms , so far I’ve been having shortness of breath, very bloated, nipples have just started being tender, increased appetite, lower stomach pain, and pelvic pain, cravings ; odd things I usually wouldn’t really find myself particularly wanting. What are the chances I may be pregnant, I took a 99ยข pregnancy test like about a week ago and it was negative… Is this all in my head or what. Oh yeah my last period was on the 15th last month.
Hi, yes PMS and pregnancy symptoms are sometimes very similar. If you miss your period then take a pregnancy test 10 days after your missed period date. You will get a more accurate result.
I need help.It is been 4 days when my period come but before this I thought I am pregnant because I had experience the early preg symptoms like a brown spot, headache, shorteness of breath, backaches etc I just like I experienced it in my initial pregnancy 2 weeks before my expected period.I had nausea off and on,cramping but am still breastfeeding my kid and she’s 14months old . I took PT but its negative. Now I have my period and it comes unusual because it comes heavy and I have cramps in my abdomen.Is theres a chance a possibility that I am pregnant?
Hi, PMS and pregnancy symptoms are sometimes similar. Also, since you are breastfeeding there could be a lot of hormonal changes going on in your body because of which you are facing such symptoms.
Hey,
My story is a little different then what I have read on this. I was using marina iud for a firm of birth control and had it removed on May 17th, My spouse and I have been trying to conceive since. I have had removal spotting that did not last more then a day and about 8 days after removal I had light pink spotting. I am starting to experience pain in hip joints, lower back and tenderness in breast and my nipples are becoming darker. I believe my period is late, just due to the fact with the iud I only had spotting around the first of the month and I still have not had a period. Could it be possible that I am pregnant now or my body just trying to rebalance hormones.
Every woman might have different pregnancy signs. Most common ones are sore breasts, Increased need to go washroom, mood swings, tiredness etc. But these all may be due to other reasons too. The only accurate way to know is to take a pregnancy test. Also, take it after 10 days of missing your expected period date for more accuracy.
Hey, I’m young and very paranoid about the whole having babies at a young age. So me and my boyfriend had sex and we use a condom but he told me after the second condom we use he was caught up in the moment and put it back in but he also said he wiped it and didn’t let it go all the way in. After that i was very scared the only signs i have been experiencing for sure is the bloating and its been on and off and also the cramping on and off. We had sex on the 29 on may and my period is suppose to come the second week of june. I’ve never been pregnant before so I’m very scared,please some help me understand.
You can be pregnant but not based on your symptoms. You are likely scarring yourself into feeling these sensations like a person who has a panic attack. I would calm down and wait and see if you cycle comes. If it does not, wait a week after it was due and take a test.
Is there a chance of being pregnant 6 or 8 days after ovulation? We had unprotected sex 6-8 days after her ovulation and she should be on her period now. Her areola is darkening and her boobs are sore, but it’s she also gets these signs if she’s about to get her period.
Hello Pen, yes sometimes it is possible to be pregnant after having sex after some days of ovulation but yes PMS and pregnancy symptoms are similar so she should take a pregnancy test to be sure.
Hey, we have been having unprotected sex during past few months and this month my period has been delayed. I usually have breast tenderness two weeks prior to when my periods comes but no such symptoms happened this time and had heavy discharge. But exactly on my due date my breast started to get tender and my discharge reduced to almost nothing. Could it be a sign of period coming in a few days or something else?? I have no morning sickness. But i feel really tired sleepy all the time from past few weeks. And short of breath when go upstairs. And got cramps in the lower back. Please if someone could guide. I’m scared of taking pregnancy test if it comes negative.
Hi Angela, Breast tenderness, tireness, and shortness of breath while putting strain on your body are the symptoms of early pregnancy. Take a pregnancy test.
I was having protected sex with my girlfriend and the condom broke but I didn’t “cum”. But, there was a little “precum” inside of the condom that came out and I wasn’t sexually active before that. She says that she is having cramps. IS SHE PREGNANT?
The possibility of her being pregnant depends on whether she was fertile on or around the date that you had sex. It is important to know the number of days in her menstrual cycle. This information is needed to provide you with the most accurate response.
Doesn’t necessarily mean she’s pregnant. Her cramp could be secondary to menstruation. Also, that you’ve not been sexually active does not mean you can’t impregnate your first time. She could go for PT to confirm if she’s pregnant or not.
I need help.It is been 8 days when my period come but before this I thought I am pregnant because I had experience the early preg symptoms like a brown spot that happened 2 weeks before my expected period.I had nausea off and on,cramping with breast my areola are big darker and theres tubernacles around that are big.I took PT when I was 6 days late with my period but its negative.Now I have my period and it comes unusual because it comes heavy and I did not even feel cramps in my abdomen.Is theres a chance a possibility that I am pregnant?
Hello Rica, the symptoms you are explaining could be pregnancy or just hormonal imbalance. You should take a pregnancy test again to be sure.
Hi! Im sheryl.. my menstrual period is irregular and i got my period may13 -17 and we had unprotected sex in between my periods and even after my period..and on the 19th of may i got this brownish discharge and now im feeling some pregnancy sysmptoms like,backpain,headache,lose of appetite,and tingling sensation on my breast..is there any possibilities that im pregnant or is it too early to check if i am? Thanks alot !
Hello Sheryl, you should take a pregnancy test to check if you are pregnant or not. When you should take it depends on the pregnancy test. In general, pregnancy tests range in sensitivity from 10mIU/ml to 40 mlU/ml. The lower the number, the more sensitive the test, and the earlier it can detect pregnancy.
Every pregnancy is different, though. You’ll get the most accurate result if you test around the time your period’s due.
My pregnancy turned out negative twice…but I’m still having those pregnancy symptoms. Is it too early for me take the pregnancy test? and even my body temperature keeps changing. I feel so hot most of the time like I’m having s fever. Is this normal?
Hey, I had last period started 28th April. They only last 3 days. I ovulated and had sex with my partner every other day. Wasn’t due period until today but since last Friday been having discharge. Some brown then nothing then pinkish then nothing – mostly when I go to loo and wipe. Need to pee all the time for last 3 days and got a strange cramps/pulling feeling on my left side and a bit of back pain. Help please. Could this be a good sign of pregnancy I really hope so any help or advice appreciated?
Hello, I just wanted to find out…my periods are usually irregular. The last time I got it was since February. Now on May 22 I saw some brownish blood. The next day only when I wiped there was some blood and up until today May 25 it’s only light. I have shortness of breath and tiredness since May 24 and have lower back pain. My areola is usually dark around so I am not sure if I am pregnant or just going through PMS. Can you help? I am seeing a gynaecologist on July 11. Thanks!
Hi. Having irregular periods can distort the menstrual cycle. It’s good that you’re seeing a gynaecologist because you will be properly examined.Have you taken a pregnancy test as yet?