In many cases, it can be difficult to tell the difference between PMS and pregnancy because the symptoms are so similar. Symptoms of pregnancy are often noticeably worse than symptoms of PMS, but not always. The only true way you can tell the difference between PMS and pregnancy is to wait for a missed period, after which time you may take a pregnancy test to be sure.
Some of the symptoms that are common between both PMS and pregnancy include breast tenderness, irritability and mood changes, fatigue, headaches, and cramps. Because each woman experiences PMS differently, and some do not experience it at all, it should be most noticeable to you if something seems different one month. Usually, the symptoms associated with pregnancy are much more pronounced; for instance, rather than being just slightly tired, you might feel absolutely exhausted and need to take a nap in the afternoon.
In addition, breasts may appear to be very swollen and much more painful than usual. You might start getting bad headaches, or notice that certain foods or smells become very unappealing. In general, nausea and vomiting is not associated with PMS; if you are experiencing these symptoms, this is a fairly good indication of pregnancy rather than PMS. Conversely, though you may experience some mild stomach cramps, you should not experience severe stomach cramps during early pregnancy.
Otherwise, the best way to tell the difference between PMS and pregnancy is to listen to your body. The symptoms of PMS and pregnancy are very similar, but if you know how your body usually responds every month, you will often be able to tell if something is different. Fortunately, the symptoms will generally only last about one week before you know if you are pregnant, or just have PMS. If it was just PMS, the symptoms will disappear; if you are pregnant, however, the symptoms will continue, and will likely become more pronounced.
It can be difficult to wait to find out if it is just PMS or pregnancy, but most pregnancy tests cannot be taken until you actually skip a period because they are simply not sensitive enough to work any earlier. Once you have taken a pregnancy test and it comes back positive, you should visit a doctor for a blood test to be sure. Some women experience spotting that can be mistaken for a period in early pregnancy, so it is important to continue to monitor the progression of your symptoms if there is a possibility you could be pregnant, and to adjust your diet and other habits accordingly until you are sure.
|
cupcake15
Post 4 |
SauteePan-Perimenopause and pregnancy may seem similar and have similar symptoms. In perimenopause a women is experiencing an introductory period that will result in menopause years later.
Here like in a pregnancy a women ceases to have a menstrual cycle and begins to also experience weight gain due to an increasingly slower metabolism and the loss of lean muscle mass.
In addition, because of the hormonal changes, both women experiencing perimenopause and pregnancy might increase their level of irritability.
The women having perimenopause will become irritable because her hormone levels are too low, while a pregnant woman will also experience irritability but in her case her hormonal levels may be too high.
A balance of hormonal levels leads to balanced emotions and quality of life. This is why some women seek hormone replacement therapy when they reach menopause because they want to restore a level of happiness and a sense of well being with the added hormone therapy.
|
|
SauteePan
Post 3 |
Subway11- This is usually a tell tale sign of pregnancy as well as the beginning aversion to certain foods while beginning to feel nauseous.
PMS does not cause nausea so this is another difference between PMS and pregnancy. A woman will also begin to feel tired when pregnant but if a women experiencing PMS will not.
Often she will have cramps which may be a major source of discomfort but most women do maintain a normal energy level.
On the rare occasions in which the women feels tired during this time period is it usually due to higher than average blood flows during her cycle which can cause anemia. In that case an iron supplement might be necessary. |
|
subway11
Post 2 |
Suntan12-The difference between PMS and early pregnancy may seem hard to distinguish. In both cases you do feel a bit of depression and weepiness and that is a result of the changes in the hormonal level of the women.
Also, there is breast tenderness with slight pain and some women may experience enlarged breast during this time.
The enlargement of the breast is due to the preparation of the mammary glands for milk production in order to properly breast feed the child at birth. |
| Related Topics | |
|
suntan12
Post 1 |
The difference between PMS and early pregnancy symptoms involves feelings of tiredness. When a woman is pregnant she often feels tired and many times may feel nauseous.
Nausea often known as morning sickness usually offers another tell tale sign that a women may be pregnant.
Many of the other symptoms are similar such as PMS headaches, bloating, and breast tenderness. Perimenopause and weight gain also has many of the same symptoms. A small weight gain is typical during perimenopause as well as menopause and bloating as well. |
