{"id":626509,"date":"2024-01-31T14:31:36","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T19:31:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626509"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:11:41","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:11:41","slug":"pms-vs-pregnancy-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/pms-vs-pregnancy-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it PMS or early pregnancy?"},"content":{"rendered":"

PMS and early pregnancy symptoms can often overlap, so it’s not surprising that many people mistake one condition for the other. It’s worth mentioning that if you are trying to conceive, you may start to feel more in tune with your body every month, which can cause you to notice PMS symptoms that you didn’t notice before. This can create some confusion and doubts as to whether you are pregnant or not.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thankfully, there are some key differences between PMS and pregnancy symptoms. While early pregnancy often causes nausea and\/or vomiting, this doesn’t usually occur with PMS. Similarly, spotting or bleeding doesn’t usually occur before a period, but it can be an early sign of pregnancy. Here’s what you need to know about PMS symptoms vs. pregnancy symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

PMS vs. pregnancy symptoms<\/span><\/h2>\n

“<\/span>Symptoms of PMS and early pregnancy often overlap,” says <\/span>Shonda Corbett, MD<\/span><\/a>, an OB-GYN with Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, NJ. “One of the most common symptoms that may occur just before menses and early pregnancy is breast tenderness or heaviness.” <\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to this, it’s common to experience mild abdominal discomfort, pelvic cramping, or back pain with PMS and early pregnancy. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes, increased IBS symptoms such as gas and bloating can occur in the week leading up to a period, as well. Interestingly, research has shown that women with IBS experience <\/span>an increase in symptoms <\/span><\/a>during menstruation. This can occur in the days leading up to your period, during your period, and shortly after the end of menstruation. What’s the cause behind the increase in IBS symptoms? Hormones, of course. Fluctuations in hormones are also to blame for uncomfortable premenstrual symptoms such as acne, fatigue, and mood swings.<\/span><\/p>\n

While some women may track their discharge for signs of pregnancy, this isn’t a reliable way to tell if you are pregnant. <\/span>Monte Swarup, MD<\/span><\/a>, an OB\/GYN in Chandler, AZ, and founder of Vaginal Health Hub, explains how a change in<\/span> v<\/span>aginal discharge can be an early sign of pregnancy. You may notice a white discharge that appears “milky.” However, this isn’t necessarily associated with pregnancy and can occur in the week leading up to your period simply due to hormonal changes.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What does discharge before your period look like?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Since many symptoms may occur with both PMS and early pregnancy, Dr. Corbett says that it’s often difficult to distinguish between the two. Instead, you should look out for clear signs of a pregnancy, such as a delayed period or unusual bleeding. Additionally, if you notice any symptoms that are out of the ordinary, it might be worth taking a pregnancy test to confirm whether pregnancy is the cause.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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How do you know if it’s PMS or early pregnancy?<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nPMS symptoms<\/b><\/td>\nPregnancy symptoms<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shared symptoms<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Breast tenderness<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Irritability<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Light cramping<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Bloating<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Constipation<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Acne<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Mood changes<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Change in appetite<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Food cravings<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Low back pain or cramping<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Unique symptoms<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Typically no bleeding or spotting<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Symptoms that occur a week prior to expected period are more likely PMS symptoms <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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