What are the early symptoms of pregnancy and how do they differ from PMS?

Many symptoms of premenstrual symptoms can overlap with early symptoms of pregnancy, which can be confusing. The difference between the two is all about the timing and reason for the symptoms.

If a woman is tracking her cycle and has a missed period, that is automatically suspicious for pregnancy. Other symptoms of early pregnancy include nausea, breast tenderness or discomfort, fatigue, bloating, constipation, food cravings or aversions, and sometimes mild pelvic cramping. A missed period is the tell-tale sign.

PMS symptoms are usually due to an abrupt drop in hormones. Approximately 90% of women experiencing PMS have cramping. Some women with PMS experience nausea, breast tenderness, fatigue, mood swings, and food cravings or aversions.

Overlap of symptoms is there, but the timing is different. With PMS, symptoms can occur before the expected period. With pregnancy, it is uncommon for people to experience those symptoms before their missed period. Most of the time symptomatic women are five to six weeks pregnant when they have these symptoms, which is one to two weeks after a missed period.

By Nura S. Sobhanian, M.D.