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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Ok I need some advice… I have some bloating, headaches off and on, fatigued, restless, nauseas mostly in morning but sometimes throughout day, frequently urinating, a week late, very slight breast tenderness, I am on birth control, I have been pretty stressed lately, major mood swings(from angry-sad), dizzy, appetite changes, occasional diarrhea/constipation(but also have irritable bowel syndrome), some body aches but minor ones… please help…
Hi Lisa, the information you gave is not enough to tell that what is the reason behind this condition. You should visit a doctor now and get yourself checked. Regards
I am having nausea, mood swings, overheating, dizziness, decreased appetite, creamy discharge, increased urination, and my period is 3 days early? It’s kinda light and reddish brown discharge, what does this mean? It’s not chunky or anything. Well it was once.
Hi Isabelle, the symptoms you are experiencing might be because of pregnancy. You might be having early pregnancy symptoms and the bleeding you are having might be the implantation bleeding. You should take a pregnancy test. Regards
Hi,
You talked about frequent urge to urination during pregnancy. My dates are still due but every now and then I rush to washroom.
Other than that can you guide me when should I be taking pregnancy test if my LMC was August 17.. ?
Thanks
I have irregular periods, last time I had one was in July.. with my daughter I didn’t find out until 4 1/2 months being pregnant due to no signs and no period like always.. but recently the past couple weeks my breast have been really sore and feel like they are going but I can’t tell just yet, also I get cramps in my lower pelvic area when I lay down or if I put my knees up then stand up I have pelvic pain for few minutes.. what should I do? Should I be worried?
About one week to my period …I had the symptoms that am gonna be having my period soon …but all of a sudden things change ..after like another one week again I wasn’t feeling like my period is coming anymore …and I had sex (unprotected sex with my husband) a week before my pms symptoms …day before yesterday …I was unable to sleep till around 4am when I started vomiting and purging ..I vomitted throughout that day …and I was very weak as well …but now am fully ok but I don’t feel like my period is coming again ..getting late for like 2weeks now …could I be pregnant ?….pls help !!!
Hi Tiaras, the symptoms you are having indicates that you might be pregnant. You should take a pregnancy test for sure. Regards
Hello. Ive been experiencing nausea and gassy since a day after ovulating 7 days already. It has gotten worse and my menses doesn’t come until a week from now ( Monday). Ive been feeling mild cramps for 3 days now also backaches and slight cranky, feeling like discharging a lot but when I check most of the time is nothing, crying spells also these past 3 days. Can I be pregnant?
Hi Mills, Calculate your fertile days here http://womanjunction.com/ and if you had sex on those days there is a high risk of pregnancy. Regards
I have been having some symptoms but still having my period. Symptoms include nausea,bloating,breast leakage,headaches,tired all the time and nw joint aches. Home test showed negative.
Hi Keisha, if you are having your periods normally, then these problems you are having, are definitely not because of pregnancy. You should visit a doctor as soon as possible. Regards
Ive been having Nausea and slightly stomach aces I’m 2 weeks away before my period starts i was sexually active 4 days before {with condom}.I know stomach aces/stomach cramps can be normal for pms but what about the nausea i started to get it after 3 days of the protected sex Should i be worried??i also went to a party and drank lots could that be the reason for the nausea.Ive had no other pms or pregnancy symptoms besides the cramps/nausea could this be pms or pregnancy this is two weeks before my period. HELP
Hi, You should calculate your fertile days here http://womanjunction.com/ and if you had sex on those days there is a high risk of pregnancy.
i don’t know when the last time my period started but it ended around the 29 last month
Hi Star, if you don’t know when your period started, then it is difficult to even predict what’is going on with you. However, for the next time, you should download an app called ”Clue” to track your period. I hope it helps. Regards
Sunshine,
Preface: I’m not a doctor but I have a 2 year old. The bubbly feeling when you press on your lower abdomen sounds like gas to me… It takes several months into pregnancy for your uterus to expand above your pubic bone, so you wouldn’t be able to feel it with your fingers for quite some time if you are pregnant. The white discharge could be due to pregnancy, but just as likely a yeast infection. If you’ve had sex, and your period still hasn’t arrived, you need to take a pregnancy test. Walmart carries one for about $2. Stress over a potential pregnancy probably caused me to have several delayed periods when I was your age… It always arrived within a day of seeing the negative test. If you are pregnant, talk to your mom or a close adult as soon as you can for support. If you aren’t pregnant, talk to your mom or a close adult as soon as you can for support and to help you get on birth control. Good luck!
Help.
Me and my partner having been trying for a baby for a while now. Well i have had sore breasts for over a week now (3 weeks before my period is due) normally i get sore breasts a couple of days before my period. More discharge then usual. Feeling tired slept 11 hours today and was still tired normally i am awake 9 10 clock on the dot but slept until past 12 today. Metallic taste during the day and every time i eat my teeth feel furry and yuck. Having to brush my teeth 2-4 times a day. And feeling sick but not vomiting. Would i be pregnant ?
Hi Ellen, if you had sex during your ovulation period, then you might get pregnant. Moreover, you should take a pregnancy test to confirm. Regards
okay. so. im 17. my usual cycle is about 32 days and i am about 2 days off from when i should start. but i cant decide if the symptoms im having are pregnancy or pms.
i got really crampy for a couple days, it transferred between both sides and every now and then felt sharp. however im not crampy anymore at all. i did the math earlier. i took a dollar store pregnancy test 2 days ago, which was 11 dpo. it was negative.
ive been having crazy hot flashes at night. normal pms food cravings like sweets and what not.
the thing that bothers me the most tho is that when i push on my lower abdomen, it bubbles under my fingers. i can feel it and hear it. not only that, it makes me nauseous.
also, my lady parts are leaking thick white discharge. which is a sign of pregnancy, pms, and certain infections…
but other than all that i believe whats going on is just regular PMS things, like i am bloated, hungry 24/7, my breasts are a little bigger but they don’t hurt and i am pretty sure my nipples are the same color they were before.
idk whats wrong with me…
i am really scared i am pregnant, but idk whats up. test said i was negative.
please please answer asap.
Hi, my husband and I have been ttc for the past 8 months. Last period this month was very scanty, it was really light brown on some days there was no blood. It was rather on and off. period lasted for 5 days and had horrible cramps all through . I felt really exhausted especially in the mornings, sometimes I experience sore and tender breast that are painful to touch but then since I took a pt on the 4th day of the supposed period and it came out negative am just wondering what could be wrong. Am I sick or something . Every now and then I feel tired , experience back pain and headaches
Hello,
Me and my partner is having a very active sexual intercourse for this month. We are sometimes using condoms, but sometimes we are having an unsafe sex. My last period was on the 16th of July 2016 and my regular cycle is 31-32 days. I am now 7 days late. I am experiencing backaches, headaches and feeling dizzy at times, my breast is so sensitive and I craving for so much food(felt sorry for my partner 😛 ), I am also having cramps at times. Last week my cervical mucus started to flow at a normal rate and it is still white. Can I be pregnant?
Also would it affect if my lifestyle was changed from a relaxed living to a stressful days for almost a month now(having lack of sleep due to work and stress in the office).
Thanks!
Hi Zia, the symptoms you wrote shows that you are in the early stages of pregnancy. You should a pregnancy test ASAP. Regards
Hi. Please help me. Me and my husband are trying to conceive for already 3 months. And im sure that we always have sex on my ovulation days. But still i can’t get pregnant. But this month, on my ovulation day after we have sex. I feel a heavy cramps on my left abdomen and i feel like im going to faint or something like that. I also feel that my breast aches and i feel like theyre heavy. My body temperature is also rising on and off. My period is due on 26. I already took 2 pregnancy test but it says its negative. What could be the problem??
Hi, the symptoms you wrote indicates that you are in the very early stages of pregnancy. You should take a pregnancy test after some time. Regards.
Hello, its been 2 weeks and 1 day since i felt that cramps on my left abdnomen. And for that 2 weeks my symptoms are on and off like achy breasts, light leg cramps. I also feel pain from my lower abdomen to my stomach. I am so gassy. Constipated and i also feela severe pain in my lower back but i just experience that one time combine with a high body temp. But im usually dizzy. And having a leg pain a light cramps in my lower abdomen. Then i took pregnancy test but it says negative.
Hi, The information you provided is too less to exactly comment on the problem you are having. However, you should visit a doctor to let you point in the right direction and give you proper treatment. Regards
Hello,
Its been 2 weeks and 1 day since i felt that severe cramps on my left abdomen. (I feel that after we had sex on my ovulation days) But as the day passed by i felt diff symptoms like leg pain. Severe lower back pain. (I feel this once at night combine with high temp feeling.) Temperature goes high on and off. My breast are heavy and tender to touch and its on and off. But they are always in pain. I also feel stomach cramps. Sometimes its starting to my lower abdoment then getting up quickly to my stomach. I feel dizzy. Hips are aching too. And also im constipated and super gassy. Im have irregular menstruation. My last period is july 29. Am i pregnant?
Hi!
The symptoms you wrote here indicates (not confirms) that you might be pregnant now. You should take a pregnancy test ASAP. Regards
Hi, me and my husband are TTC for the last 2 months. My last period was on the 28th of July. We have unprotected sex every other day after my period. For the last couple days my breasts are so sore especially the nipples I can’t even touch them. My back is painful, i had cramps for 3 or 4 days last week and also I feel weird in my lower stomach. Could I be pregnant? I really want to take the test but I’m scared if the negative and I don’t want to hold my hopes up.
Hi Lili, the symptoms you described indicates that you are in the early stages of pregnancy. As you had intercourse during your ovulation days, you might be pregnant now. Don’t be scared, you should take a pregnancy test as soon as possible. Regards
My last period was on june 29-july2.. I have regular period and a cycle of 28 days.. I am supposed to have my period on july 31 but it still doesn’t come.. I’m 16 days late now am i pregnant?
Hi Ivy, if you had intercourse during your ovulation days, then you might be pregnant. You should take a pregnancy test for confirmation. If it comes out negative, then you should visit a doctor to diagnose your problem. Regards