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How to Understand the Differences and Similarities Between Pregnancy Symptoms and PMS
Although there is some symmetry in some of the symptoms, there are indeed some telltale signs that a woman can pick up on the differences in changes within her body. Now let's see what such symptoms look like and how to make comparisons.
Similarities
1. Tenderness in the Breasts: This is shared between PMS and early pregnancy as one of the most common symptoms. During PMS, the body's hormones fluctuate, making the breasts feel swelled and sensitive. In early pregnancy, an increase in progesterone can make them tender too and there is a feeling of heaviness.
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2. Mood Swings: This also is a mistake of hormones. Mood swings, irritability, and anxiety are instigated by both PMS and early pregnancy. These emotional changes are due to a rise in estrogen and progesterone for those who are pregnant. In the case of PMS let's be honest, mood swings accompany the menstruation process everywhere.
3. Fatigue: If you're experiencing unusual tiredness, it could be due to PMS or early pregnancy. The fatigue associated with PMS is predominantly due to hormonal shifts as the body readies itself for menstruation. On the other hand, your body in early pregnancy works extra hard to support a growing embryo; hence, feelings of tiredness, are often due to higher than usual progesterone levels.
4. Food Cravings: One of the symptoms related to PMS comprises a craving to eat certain specific foods. It is caused mainly due to hormonal changes. In the case of early pregnancy, new hormonal levels and increased nutritional needs can be a cause of food cravings.
5. Bloating: Bloated effects can be experienced in both early pregnancy and during PMS. Talking about PMS, bloating can result due to the hormonal effect on the body, especially fluid retention. In case of greater progesterone in pregnancy, the digestion process slows down, thus making you feel bloated.
Differences
1. Timing: PMS symptoms take place a few days to a week before your period and then go away once it begins, while early pregnancy symptoms often start around the time of a missed period and can last throughout the pregnancy.
2. Menstrual Phase: PMS symptoms are related to your menstrual cycle and develop in a cyclic pattern. Pregnancy symptoms are not associated with your menstrual cycle and only develop after conception has taken place.
3. Nausea and Vomiting: Although nausea can accompany PMS, it's much more common in early pregnancy in the form of morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy.
4. Changes in the Discharge: During pregnancy, the increased secretion of the vagina leads to an increased amount of thick, clear, milky, or white discharge due to higher estrogen levels. PMS can also cause changes, but they tend to be more subtle and correspond to different states within the menstrual cycle.
5. Basal Body Temperature: Monitoring your basal body temperature can help distinguish PMS from pregnancy. This temperature is slightly heightened during PMS and should fall when your period starts. In early pregnancy, the temperature stays elevated for longer than usual.
6. Symptoms That Apply Only to Pregnancy: Some symptoms are peculiar to pregnancy alone, such as frequent urination, a heightened sense of smell, and implantation bleeding, which does not happen in PMS.
This brief guide should enable you to distinguish between PMS and early pregnancy symptoms, thereby understanding what your body could potentially be going through. In any case, there is some overlap; the timing of symptoms, certain pregnancy indications, and how these symptoms might likely associate with your menstrual period may provide good clues. Dr. Beena Jeysingh, OBGYN practicing in Bengaluru recommends consulting a doctor when you miss your periods before concluding you're pregnant from the flow of symptoms.
No matter whether it's pregnancy or PMS, you can easily sail through any journey with the right mindset and healthcare approach. Next time you miss your period, don't forget to consider the possibility of PMS.