PMS or pregnancy? Main symptoms to know how to differentiate

The symptoms of PMS and pregnancy are quite similar. Therefore, many women end up confusing the symptoms and rushing into it, especially when they have never been pregnant before. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the small details of each symptom, to know how to differentiate whether it is PMS or pregnancy. For example, pregnant women suffer from morning sickness, while premenstrual tension does not usually cause nausea.

On the other hand, PMS occurs between 5 and 10 days before menstruation begins, and pregnancy symptoms last between 2 weeks and months. However, to ensure that a woman is experiencing PMS or is pregnant, it is recommended to take a pregnancy test or make an appointment with a gynecologist. Well, there are even cases where women face psychological pregnancy. Therefore, they are not pregnant, but they show symptoms of pregnancy and a growing belly.

In short, PMS is something common and recurrent in women’s lives, and can cause uncomfortable symptoms for many. Accordingly, it represents a high hormonal change, with physical and emotional symptoms. Furthermore, this occurs while the body prepares the uterus to receive the embryo, which, when not fertilized, causes menstruation. Meanwhile, pregnancy is when fertilization occurs, and the embryo begins to develop, causing symptoms in the body.

PMS or pregnancy: pregnancy symptoms

Pregnancy can present different symptoms, some of which are quite similar to PMS. So, to know and differentiate, check out these pregnant symptoms to find out if it is PMS or pregnancy:

1- Pink bleeding

Pregnancy presents with pinkish bleeding. Generally, it lasts up to 2 days.

2- PMS or pregnancy: Breast sensitivity

Initially, breast sensitivity appears in the first 2 weeks. Therefore, the breasts may become sore, sensitive and heavier. Furthermore, this pain may persist during pregnancy. Therefore, there is an increase in the level of progesterone in the body. Or also, the effect of breast milk production.

3- Abdominal cramps

They persist during menstrual delay. Furthermore, with moderate intensity in the first weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, it is possible to determine the difference whether it is PMS or pregnancy.

4- Drowsiness and mood changes

A woman who is pregnant faces a lot of drowsiness during the initial 3 months. Furthermore, it is marked by more intense feelings. In other words, it is common for pregnant women to become more sensitive and tearful.

5- Darkening or enlargement of the nipple

Generally, this enlargement or darkening occurs in the first week or two after conception.

6- PMS or pregnancy: Intense hunger

It is a fact that all pregnant women have an increased appetite. Furthermore, even with nausea, they still eat a lot. Which makes it easier to differentiate between PMS and pregnancy.

7- Morning sickness

It is common during pregnancy for women to feel nauseous in the morning after waking up.

PMS or pregnancy: PMS symptoms

PMS or pregnancy? To know the difference, you need to take a pregnancy test. Or also, know how to differentiate the symptoms of both. Therefore, check out the recurring symptoms of PMS:

1- Menstrual bleeding

Firstly, PMS presents the normal bleeding of menstruation. Furthermore, another difference between PMS and pregnancy is the absence of nausea during PMS.

2- Breast sensitivity

As progesterone levels are high, it is common to experience mild breast pain during PMS. Furthermore, it becomes more intense during or after the end of the menstrual cycle. It eventually disappears after the start of menstruation.

3- PMS or pregnancy: Abdominal cramps

During PMS, it is normal for some women to experience abdominal cramps.

4- Drowsiness

Drowsiness can occur up to 3 days before menstruation. That is, between 2 or 3 days before the bleeding.

5- Mood changes

PMS is marked by mood swings, for example, irritability, feelings of anger and sadness. Therefore, mood changes are quite recurrent. That is, at one time they can be happy, and at other times they can be angry. In addition, emotional disorders may also occur. For example, symptoms of anxiety and depression.

6- PMS or pregnancy: Physical symptoms

Another difference between PMS and pregnancy is during PMS a woman may have the following physical symptoms:

• Tiredness.
• Headache.
• Backache.
• Abdominal enlargement.
• Constipation or diarrhea.
• Frequent urge to go to the bathroom.
• Joint pain.
• Sleep disorders.

7- Changes in appetite

It is a symptom that varies depending on each organism. In other words, some women have an increased appetite, while others lose their hunger during PMS.

8- Attention deficit

Finally, some women during PMS may also experience difficulty concentrating or memory problems. Especially when symptoms appear.

What happens during PMS in a woman’s body?

Premenstrual tension, called PMS, represents several physical and psychological symptoms that affect women between the middle and end of the menstrual cycle. In short, the phases of the menstrual cycle usually last around 28 days, where various hormonal changes prepare the uterus to receive the embryo. Subsequently, between the 9th and 14th day, during the ovulation period, estrogen levels rise.

Then, over the next 14 days, progesterone levels decrease while progesterone levels increase. Furthermore, this occurs as the endometrium prepares for embryo implantation. As a result, the body undergoes several changes that vary depending on the intensity. That is, the well-known symptoms of PMS. Finally, when the egg is not fertilized, the walls of the endometrium peel off and menstruation occurs.

PMS or pregnancy: How to make your period come faster?

Some women look for ways to make their periods come faster so that PMS goes away quickly. This way, her symptoms will be relieved. Therefore, it is common to consume teas that promote the contraction of the uterus, favoring its desquamation.

For example, ginger tea, which must be taken a few days before menstruation to have the desired effect. However, take pregnancy tests first to make sure you are not pregnant. Because, these teas tend to influence and increase the risk of miscarriage.

Do pregnant women have PMS?

When women are pregnant they do not experience premenstrual tension. Therefore, PMS or pregnancy are different things, and they occur in separate ways in women’s lives. However, some of their symptoms are quite similar.

For example, crying for no reason, mood swings, breast sensitivity and nausea. In short, these similar symptoms occur based on the great hormonal variation that the female body faces during PMS or pregnancy.

Do people who take contraceptives have PMS?

Currently, controlling PMS symptoms through the use of contraceptives has become popular. Therefore, several cases were analyzed where the discomfort caused by PMS is alleviated by the consumption of synthetic hormones.

That is, women reduce irritability, swelling and headaches. However, in some organisms the use of this contraceptive can intensify symptoms. Therefore, only consume it with your gynecologist’s prescription.

Can PMS cause depression?

According to experts, the answer is no. Furthermore, what can happen is the opposite of this. In short, many women suffer from depression but have not yet received a medical diagnosis.

So, as PMS causes periods with ups and downs, some women associate these difficult periods with reasons for developing depression.

However, this depression already exists in your body. Therefore, it is essential to routinely consult psychologists and gynecologists.

Anyway, if you liked this article, read also: Discover the main causes of mood changes in women.