When it comes to either trying to prevent or support pregnancy, understanding the differences between PMS symptoms and early pregnancy symptoms can largely help in planning for the next step. But almost every woman knows it is not that simple to distinguish between these two. This is because both PMS and early pregnancy often exhibit similar symptoms. However, there are a few subtle things, like timing and intensity, that can differentiate the PMS from pregnancy symptoms. This considerable understanding can certainly be helpful for many couples to make informed decisions.

Here are some tips from A4 Fertility Centre specialists that have shed some light on spotting the differences between PMS vs. Pregnancy Symptoms.

What are PMS Symptoms?

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a term healthcare specialists use to describe the symptoms a woman experiences a few days before her menstrual period. The symptoms may generally arise anywhere between two weeks and two days before the period starts. The common PMS symptoms that may be experienced by many individuals may include:

• Acne flare-ups
• Mood swings
• Bloating
• Food cravings (may crave salty or sweet foods)
• Lower abdomen cramps
• Breast tenderness
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Trouble concentrating
• Back pain
• Muscle or joint pains
• Changes in libido
• Insomnia
• Depression or anxiety

Even with these common symptoms, PMS can be severe in some women. In rare scenarios, it can impact their daily life and may sometimes even require a medical intervention. The symptoms may range from back pain and bloating to severe depression and anxiety. When the PMS is severe, the condition is medically termed as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

What are Pregnancy Symptoms?

Pregnancy symptoms are the signs that your body starts to produce as soon as implantation takes place. The onset and intensity of these symptoms may largely vary from woman to woman, and even from the same woman in the next pregnancy. Some individuals may start to exhibit symptoms soon after implantation, while others may not have any symptoms at all, even when their pregnancy progresses. Pregnancy symptoms are generally not a sign of concern. In fact, they are your body’s way of physical response to the hormonal fluctuations caused by implantation.

The common symptoms of early pregnancy may include:

• Missed period
• Nausea
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Bloating
• Frequent urination
• Breast tenderness
• Abdominal cramps
• Food cravings
• Mood swings

Why Do PMS and Pregnancy Symptoms Exhibit Similar Symptoms?

Don’t the above two situations have shared symptoms?
Well, that’s why it's common for many individuals to be confused about it.

The symptoms of early pregnancy and PMS are significantly similar because they both involve hormonal changes, especially with estrogen and progesterone levels. These hormonal changes may have a huge impact on physiological systems, which can cause similar discomfort.

For better understanding:

• Fatigue: The rising levels of the progesterone hormone in both scenarios can lead to shared symptoms like tiredness and fatigue.
• Breast Tenderness: The increasing levels of both estrogen and progesterone hormones may contribute to the development of swollen and sensitive breasts.
• Mood Changes: Alike fatigue and breast tenderness, the hormonal fluctuations in both scenarios can cause mood changes like irritability, depression, anxiety, and heightened sensitivity.

How to Differentiate Between PMS and Pregnancy Symptoms?

The fertility specialist from A4 Fertility Centre explains that the period symptoms can be more throbbing and intense. It can actually radiate from your lower back to the legs. At the same time, the pregnancy symptoms can include a tingling or pulling sensation. They are most often milder and experienced only in the lower abdomen.

A simple breakdown to differentiate the PMS and pregnancy is the timing, duration, and intensity of the symptoms.

Category	Details
PMS	Symptoms may typically start a few days to a week right before the period. They can subside once the period begins. A period flow may begin with a light spotting a day before the expected period, and then convert into the heavier flow.
Pregnancy	Symptoms can appear within a week or two after the ovulation period. They remain persistent even beyond the expected date of the menstrual period. A light spotting can be seen when the implantation takes place, but it can vanish within a day or two unlike period symptoms.

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Key Differentiating Symptoms

The key differentiating symptoms of PMS and pregnancy are:

• Missed Period
  A missed period can obviously be a strong indicator of pregnancy if it doesn’t appear beyond the date of the expected menstrual cycle.
• Spotting
  Spotting due to early pregnancy may generally appear to be mild and light pink or brown in colour. The panty liner could be enough to manage the spotting, which totally differs from the typical menstrual period.
• Nausea and Vomiting
  While a mild digestive comfort is common in PMS, which can cause nausea and vomiting, the severe nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) can be an obvious sign of early pregnancy.
• Cramping
  Pregnancy-related cramps are often localised only in the lower abdomen and can be milder. Whereas PMS-related cramps are more severe and radiate from your lower back to the legs.
• Breast Tenderness
  Even though breast tenderness can be seen in both scenarios, the changes in the breasts due to pregnancy can make it more pronounced. Your breasts may become heavier and fuller during early pregnancy, which cannot be seen in PMS. Likewise, the areolas around the nipples may also become darker in pregnancy.
  In PMS, your breasts may feel only sensitivity to the touch. Rather, it doesn’t show any difference in appearance.
• Increased Urination
  An urge to urinate more frequently is significantly associated with the early pregnancy sign. A woman may have this sensation when the blood circulation increases along with hormonal changes in her body due to pregnancy. Therefore, the symptom has no connection with PMS.
• Fatigue
  Fatigue can happen in both PMS and early pregnancy. However, the fatigue due to pregnancy can be persistent and cannot be relieved even after resting enough. The scenario widely varies from PMS. Fatigue due to PMS can be relieved by rest and can subside once the period begins.
• Vaginal Discharge
  Even though vaginal discharge in both scenarios is common, they may have specific differences in their appearance and consistency. Vaginal discharge in early pregnancy can generally be thinner and of a milky or watery colour. On the contrary, vaginal discharge in PMS can often be thicker, stickier, and creamier.

What If the Symptoms are Something Else?

If the symptoms you are experiencing don’t match either PMS or early pregnancy, it’s the right time to have professional guidance. The symptoms like missed period, fatigue even after enough rest, and cramping can sometimes be associated with conditions like endometriosis and thyroid disorders.

To confirm the symptoms, it’s suggested to take a pregnancy test first before visiting the healthcare provider. Getting reassured of what’s happening by the professional can help to get over the concerns.

Summary

While the onset, duration and intensity of the symptom can be a clue when it comes to differentiating the PMS and pregnancy symptoms, it is significant to understand that every woman is different. Their experiences may vary widely.

Therefore, before making any definitive conclusions based only on symptoms, it’s always better to take a home pregnancy test to confirm it. If you are still unsure of what’s happening with you, never hesitate to visit a healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are food cravings normal in PMS?
The answer to the question is yes. Cravings for salty, sweet, or carb foods are usually common in women a few days before their period. These cravings are often associated with hormonal fluctuations, specifically estrogen and progesterone levels.

2. Can I have sex with my partner during the PMS or pregnancy symptoms?
The answer to the question is yes. There is no need to avoid sex with your partner during PMS or pregnancy symptoms, until it causes discomfort.

3. When can I do a pregnancy test to confirm the symptoms?
Healthcare providers generally recommend doing a pregnancy test at least 5 - 7 days after your menstrual period is due. This is to allow the pregnancy hormone to grow to a detectable level.

4. Could the symptoms be something other than PMS and pregnancy?
The answer to the question is yes. The symptoms you experience may sometimes be associated with conditions like thyroid problems, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis, other than PMS and pregnancy. Hence, it’s always important to have medical assistance in diagnosing symptoms like missed period and nausea to get appropriate treatment.

5. Is it possible to have PMS spotting after ovulation?
The answer to the question is yes. Even though it is rare, some women may notice light spotting after their ovulation period. This is often denoted as mid-cycle bleeding or ovulation spotting. This typically happens due to the temporary fall in estrogen and the immediate rise in progesterone level. This occurrence is usually normal and does not require medical attention, unless the spotting is persistent with unusual symptoms like pain.

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