PMS symptoms vs early pregnancy

If a woman is planning to get pregnant, she will probably monitor herself more closely so she can feel when ovulation is coming and then what is happening with her body before her period comes or does not come. Many symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and early pregnancy overlap. So how can I tell whether I am pregnant or whether my period is coming?

As with everything, it is very individual, because for every woman it looks different when her period is approaching; some women only find out they are getting their period when they go to the bathroom, while others suffer from nausea a week before it starts.

If a woman keeps track of herself and determines her fertile and infertile days by measuring her basal temperature with a regular thermometer or with the help of a fertile and infertile days monitor, she will probably know whether she is pregnant or not. Of course, it is not 100%, but compared with women who do not monitor themselves at all, she will know what her menstrual cycle looks like and whether intercourse took place right around ovulation. So let’s break down the symptoms of PMS and early pregnancy.

The same symptoms in PMS and early pregnancy

• lower abdominal pain,
• headaches, possibly migraines,
• more frequent bowel movements or, conversely, constipation,
• sore or tender breasts,
• dizziness,
• loss of appetite or, conversely, increased appetite,
• worsened skin, acne,
• spotting - the start of menstruation or implantation bleeding,
• mood changes and swings,
• fatigue.

Other PMS symptoms

These symptoms are more likely to occur with PMS, and therefore the chance of pregnancy is very low.

• back pain,
• bloating.

Other early pregnancy symptoms

These symptoms are typical of early pregnancy, so it is more likely that conception has occurred.

• a delayed period,
• the woman feels “different”,
• a metallic taste in the mouth,
• more frequent urination,
• insomnia,
• vaginal discharge,
• stuffy nose,
• basal temperature does not drop.

It is possible that you may have all kinds of symptoms and it will not be easy to figure out what state you are in. The best thing to do is wait for your period, and if it is delayed, get a pregnancy test. The only way to know for sure is to visit a gynecologist, who will also assess whether everything is developing as it should.

If you are not planning to get pregnant, we recommend tracking fertile and infertile days and using protection during intercourse. If you are planning to get pregnant, we wish you the best of luck.