Breast Pain And Tenderness
Breast changes are a common symptom of both PMS and early pregnancy. The changes can include:
- pain
- bumpy breast tissue
The severity of these symptoms varies among individuals.
However, in people with PMS, breast-related symptoms are usually most significant just before a menstrual period, and they typically get better during the period or just after it ends.
In early pregnancy, the breasts may feel particularly tender to the touch, and they often get heavier. The area around the nipple may sting or feel sore. Some women also develop more noticeable blue veins near the surface of the breasts.
Breast symptoms during pregnancy begin 1 or 2 weeks after conception and may persist until childbirth.
Pregnant Symptoms But Got My Period And Negative Test
If you had an early period, pregnancy symptoms with a negative pregnancy test, then its likely because of implantation bleeding.
During implantation, your bodys human chorionic gonadotropin is still very low and increases twofold every 48 hours. A pregnancy test taken a few days after implantation may be negative.
If you got your period early with pregnancy symptoms and a negative pregnancy test, you should wait until a week after your period and retake your test.
If you missed period with a negative pregnancy test, you should learn the other reasons why your period is late.
Which Pms And Early Pregnancy Signs And Symptoms Are Different
The signs and symptoms of both pregnancy and PMS can be similar and somewhat nonspecific.
- The bleeding of a menstrual period, however, usually is different from that experienced by some women in early pregnancy.
- The bleeding of early pregnancy rarely is as heavy or lengthy as with the typical period. Most bleeding in pregnancy will be less heavy , and often is lighter in color or brownish.
- Implantation bleeding usually is light bleeding or spotting that occurs at the time the fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall. This bleeding takes place around the time of the expected menstrual period so it may be confusing for some women to tell the difference between implantation bleeding and menstrual bleeding.
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Other Causes Of Bleeding In Early Pregnancy
Light bleeding in early pregnancy is relatively common1, and while implantation bleeding is the most common cause, there are other causes. In pregnancy, the hormonal changes can cause the cervix to become thinner and more vascular. This may cause it to bleed more easily on trauma, such as just after penetrative sex, for example. This type of bleeding is very light, lasts less than a day, is harmless, and has no other associated symptoms.
Heavier bleeding during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy can be due to miscarriage2, which is very common in early pregnancy compared with later on in pregnancy, and is normally not something that could have been prevented. Unfortunately, it can happen when there is a genetic or developmental abnormality in the growing foetus.3
In pregnancy, the hormonal changes can cause the cervix to become thinner and more vascular. This may cause it to bleed more easily on trauma, such as just after penetrative sex, for example.
Having a miscarriage does not necessarily mean unsuccessful pregnancies in the future. Other symptoms that may accompany bleeding in miscarriages include severe lower abdominal pain, vaginal discharge of fluid or tissue and the disappearance of pregnancy symptoms such as nausea or breast tenderness.
Signs You Need To Take A Pregnancy Test
4 min Read Time
Most over-the-counter pregnancy tests are 99% effective when you take them after a missed period. But how do you know when its time to pee on a stick?
Pregnancy symptoms are different for everyone, and as the levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin rise, your symptoms may increase, says OBGYN Jessica Brown, MD. At four weeks, you may have a little bit of cramping, but classic symptoms like sore breasts, nausea and fatigue may not begin for six or seven weeks, she says.
So, how do you know if your symptoms point to pregnancy? Brown discusses some of the very first symptoms, along with how to ease the discomfort and the best time to take a pregnancy test.
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Patient’s Question: Am I Pregnant Or Is My Period About To Come
The story begins like this: our patient is a 30-year-old woman who has found the right time in her life to get pregnant and goes to her gynaecologist…
PATIENT: Good morning doctor!
DOCTOR: Good morning, Maria, how are you feeling today?
P: I am a little nervous because my period is not coming and we are trying to get pregnant.
D: When was your last period?
P: I am 3 days late, so 31 days ago.
D: How are you feeling?
P: Not very well, it’s as if my period was about to come.
D: But what are you feeling? What’s going on?P: My breasts are hurting, I can t even touch them. When I brush against my bra, I see stars, I
don’t know if it’s normal. It even seems that my boobs have grown, they are swollen.
D: This breast pain, do you usually have it when you’re about to have your period or is it stronger?
P: I think it’s more painful this time, I mean I can’t even touch them.
D: And do you have any other pains?
P: Yes, I feel discomfort in the lower part of my stomach, like in my ovaries… as if I were going to have my period!
D: That painful menstrual-like sensation can also occur in the early weeks of pregnancy, Maria, so don’t worry. The most important thing is that it isn’t associated with bleeding. Have you spotted at some point?
P: No, I haven’t. The truth is I look at my knickers every time I go to the toilet, in case my period comes, but I haven’t spotted at all yet.
D: And you don’t have any other problems, do you?
Changes In Bathroom And Stomach Habits
In addition to nausea and vomiting, you may experience other stomach problems when you first become pregnantlike constipation, frequent urination and bloating, to name a few.
Constipation is normally characterized by fewer than three bowel movements a week, hard stool, dry stool or stool that is difficult to pass. The progesterone that starts to form from the placenta slows the bowels down, says Brown. Constipation can occur early on in pregnancy, but can come back during the third trimester, too.
Frequent urination is common. Symptoms can start even earlier than your missed period, since the fertilized egg implants itself into the uterus and begins making the pregnancy hormone hCG, prompting you to run to the bathroom more often.
Bloating can happen early on in pregnancy, and may continue throughout your nine months. The progesterone hormone causes your muscle tissues to relax, slowing down digestion. That, in addition to an expanding uterus, can put pressure on your rectum and cause it to feel heavy.
Heres how to keep your stomach happy during pregnancy:
- Aim to get at least 25 grams of fiber a day from foods like leafy greens and whole grains.
- Stay hydrated.
- Talk to your OBGYN about any iron supplements youre taking.
- Discuss with your OBGYN whether you need to try over-the-counter medications.
- When you feel the urge, do not hold in bowel movements.
- Eat slowly.
- Take it easy on foods that may upset your stomach, like beans, cabbage and fried items.
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Early Signs Of Pregnancy
If you have a regular monthly menstrual cycle, the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period.
In the first few weeks of pregnancy you may have a bleed similar to a very light period, with some spotting or only losing a little blood. This is called implantation bleeding.
Every pregnancy is different and not everyone will notice all of these symptoms.
Implantation Bleeding Could Be Mistaken For A Light Period
Many women also mistake implantation bleeding for a period while pregnant. Following the same example above, if you often have a light period, and had spotting on day 23, you might mistake that spotting as your period a day or two early.
Bleeding varies from woman to woman, but a heavy flow is almost never implantation bleeding. You can read a full article or try our quiz on telling the difference between implantation and your period here.
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The Uterine Lining Is Expelled Through Bleeding
If no fertilized egg implants in the uterus within the following days, progesterone levels decrease. Since no new life has been created, the nutrients contained within the endometrium are not needed. Consequently, the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, is excreted in the form of blood and small pieces of tissue.
Menstrual bleeding is usually heavier than any breakthrough bleeding.
When Should I Test
Home pregnancy tests can be very accurate , especially if you wait to test until after your period is officially late. Some tests claim to accurately detect pregnancy up to a week before your missed period, so if you’re experiencing some pregnancy symptoms and are champing at the bit, go for it.
You’re more likely to get an accurate test result if you wait until your period is late, according to the Mayo Clinic, because the hormone that’s detected in home pregnancy tests, hCG, doubles every two to three days after an embryo attaches to your uterus, meaning there’s more to detect in your urine if you wait a few days.
Because this hormone can sometimes take a while to build up, false negative results aren’t uncommon in early pregnancy. It’s much more rare to get a false positive. If you get a positive test result, you are very likely pregnant, or experienced a recent pregnancy loss, and can confirm the pregnancy through a blood test or ultrasound.
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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
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What Are Five Common Signs Of Pregnancy
There are several signs of early pregnancy that you could experience. Not everyone will have all of these symptoms, and some women may not feel any of these things. Pregnancy symptoms throughout the entire pregnancy can vary dramatically between women. Its important not to compare your pregnancy to someone elses.
Common early pregnancy symptoms can include:
How Your Period Affects Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant
Trying to conceive but not pregnant yet? Maybe it’s time to look to your monthly period for clues about why those two pink lines haven’t showed up yet on your pregnancy test.
We’re all in agreement that having a monthly period can be a total nuisance. And it goes without saying that’s even more the case when you’re trying to conceive. But the surprising thing that many women don’t realize is that our period is actually a window into our fertilityhelping us track our cycles, know when we’re most fertile, and providing clues as to our chances of getting pregnant.
Things like cycle length, how heavy your flow is, and how regularly you’re getting your period are all affected by hormones in your body that regulate your cycle, help you get pregnant, and maintain a healthy pregnancy. So when hormone levels become off balance, sometimes due to underlying medical conditions, stress, or extreme changes in diet, there’s a good chance your menstrual cycle will get thrown off.
Here, we’ve highlighted several common situations women face when it comes to their monthly cycle to help you know when to consult a doctor about how your period could be affecting your chances to conceive.
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Early Signs You’re Pregnant Before A Missed Period
Early pregnancy symptoms can overlap with common body changes, such as PMS. Here’s how to tell the difference.
Your menstrual cycle is your body’s monthly preparation for pregnancy — if you get pregnant, the lining in your uterus has a job to do and you won’t experience any typical menstrual bleeding. But while a missed period is many people’s first signal that they’re pregnant, it often isn’t the first clue your body gives you.
In the first weeks of pregnancy , the body starts producing a lot of hormones that can affect you physically and mentally. In addition to amping up its regular production of progesterone and estrogen, your body starts producing new ones, including human placental lactogen and human chorionic gonadotropin .
While your body is in hormonal overdrive during early pregnancy, you may feel some side effects. But if hormones are to blame, how do you tell if it’s PMS, ovulation symptoms or something else completely? Below, we outline some signals you might notice from your body during early pregnancy, before you even take a pregnancy test.
What Is Pregnancy And Irregular Periods
Irregular periods can make it difficult to know whether youre pregnant. It can make it harder to predict ovulation or determine the best date to take a pregnancy test. Depending on the cause, women with irregular periods may also have greater difficulty getting pregnant.
Most women have menstrual cycles that are about 28 days long, give or take a few days on either end. Their cycles may change from month to month but will usually stay within that range.
An irregular menstrual cycle may be less than 24 days or greater than 38 days. Bleeding that lasts longer than eight days is also abnormal.
If you are concerned about irregular periods and pregnancy, there are signs of pregnancy other than a missed period and additional ways to determine when you are most likely to get accurate results with a pregnancy test.
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A Pain In The Neck Back And Head
PMS
Headaches and lower back pain like to turn up right before Aunt Flo. One study found that women with more inflammatory markers during their periods were most likely to experience back pain .
As far as your head is concerned, fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone before your period can trigger headaches, especially in women who have a history of migraines.
Pregnancy
Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints among pregnant women, especially in the early stages. The pain can range from dull to disabling and is brought on by hormonal changes.
Headaches during pregnancy are also very common. They too can be triggered by hormones, but if youre indeed with child, something as insignificant as a bad smell could trigger one.
We Know You’re Wondering: Is It Possible To Be Pregnant And Still Have A Period
Nope, experts say. Some people may experience bleeding or spotting, but those are different bleeding patterns from the cyclical menses your body experiences in absence of a pregnancy.
Dr. Michele Hakakha, an OB-GYN and author of Expecting 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy, told Parents that people definitely can experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, but that “when they bleed, they are not having a ‘period.'” That’s because your body needs to reserve the uterine lining as nourishment for the growing pregnancy.
Although bleeding during pregnancy doesn’t always mean cause for concern, it can indicate something more serious like a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic.
In the earliest stage of pregnancy, however, some very light bleeding is totally normal and leads us to our first pregnancy clue: implantation bleeding.
Implantation bleeding usually doesn’t last more than a couple of days, and it’s much lighter than most people’s periods .
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Bleeding And Cramping After Ovulation: Is It Your Period Or Pregnancy
Implantation bleeding, which shows up in about 30 percent of pregnancies, happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of your uterus. It usually starts around the time you expect your period , and can easily be mistaken for menstruation. It might also be accompanied by mild cramping that feels like pulling or tingling.
There are a few distinctions between implantation bleeding and menstruation though: “Implantation bleeding tends to be lighter and shorter in duration than a period,” says Dr. Kim. “You may have spotting instead of full days of flow.” It’s also likely to be brown or pink, instead of red. But if you don’t experience implantation bleeding, don’t fret. You can still be pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy without it.
Food And Odor Aversions Or Cravings
Aversions to certain foods or odors are caused by your bodys hormonal changes during the first trimester of pregnancy. You may start to despise the way your favorite dinner smells or tastes, or, on the flip side, you may crave certain snacks, meals, beverages or food combinations.
When it comes to cravings or aversions, listen to your body. Its okay to occasionally indulge in late-night ice cream runsjust don’t overdo it. Talk to your OBGYN if youre unable to stomach major food groups like vegetables or whole grains. The two of you can discuss foods that can easily be substituted in.
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