Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a collection of physical and psychological symptoms that appear a few days to a few weeks before menstruation. Meanwhile, implantation symptoms arise due to the attachment of a fertilized egg in the uterus, which means you are pregnant. Both PMS and implantation symptoms can appear at the same time in your menstrual cycle so distinguishing between the two can be difficult. However, there are differences between the two symptoms that you can find if you observe carefully.
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Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Implantation Signs and Early Pregnancy
Step 1. Check for blood spots
If you haven't had your period yet, spotting blood could be a sign of implantation. Generally, these blood spots are not similar to regular menstrual bleeding; You will only experience light bleeding. This light bleeding (spotting) can closely resemble the early days of your period.
Step 2. Be aware of the cramps that appear
Cramps can appear along with early pregnancy. While you're more likely to experience cramps during your period, they can also appear right before your period and are a common PMS symptom. Pain from implantation can resemble menstrual cramps.
Observe the severity of the cramps. If your cramps are very painful, you should contact your doctor. In addition, if the cramp shifts to one side of your body, you should also contact your doctor. Both of these can be signs of trouble
Step 3. Notice if you are urinating more often than before
One sign that a fertilized egg has implanted is the need to urinate more frequently for some people. This is caused by increased amounts of the hormone chorionic gonadotropin, increasing blood flow around the bladder, which makes you urinate more often.
Step 4. Watch out for the appearance of dizziness
If you are pregnant, you may feel weak or dizzy, most likely due to hormonal changes. However, some doctors think that these symptoms could be due to the increased production of blood from the body for the baby.
Step 5. Watch for increased hunger
Sometimes, even early in pregnancy, you may feel hungrier than usual. If these symptoms last more than a day or two, it could mean that the fertilized egg has implanted.
Step 6. Watch for symptoms of nausea
Actually the name morning sickness is inaccurate; Nausea and vomiting can occur at any time of the day when you are pregnant. These symptoms can appear as early as 2 weeks after conception.
Step 7. Be aware of dislikes for food and smells
One of the early symptoms of pregnancy is a sudden dislike of certain foods and smells. These symptoms can trigger nausea, even if you previously liked the smell or the food.
Step 8. Watch out for breathing difficulties
These symptoms most often appear in early and late pregnancy. You can feel out of breath more easily than before. Regardless of when you experience these symptoms, you should still discuss them with your doctor.
Step 9. Be aware of the appearance of a metallic taste
Some women have a metallic taste in their mouths shortly after becoming pregnant. These symptoms are not related to PMS.
Method 2 of 3: Understanding Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Symptoms
Step 1. Watch for back pain
You certainly can and are very likely to experience back pain in the future during pregnancy. However, if you're trying to differentiate early pregnancy from PMS, back pain that appears at an early stage is most likely a symptom of PMS.
Step 2. Be aware of your emotional state
Although both pregnancy and PMS can cause mood swings, PMS is more strongly associated with depression. If you're feeling some degree of depression, this could be a sign that you haven't had an implant.
Step 3. Monitor for a distended abdomen
Although you may feel bloated in early pregnancy, this symptom is more commonly associated with PMS. Your stomach may feel tight with this symptom.
Step 4. Watch for the appearance of menstruation
While this step may sound obvious, the appearance of your period is one of the most significant signs that you're not pregnant. Try to keep track of your menstrual schedule by keeping it in a calendar so you know when your period is coming. This way, you can know that you may be pregnant when you have missed a cycle.
Step 5. Consider using a home pregnancy test kit for a definitive answer
The most effective way to recognize you are pregnant or simply experiencing PMS symptoms is to do a home pregnancy test. Pregnancy test kits are easy to get from pharmacies and come with easy-to-follow instructions.
- You can take a pregnancy test a few days before your usual period or when you are trying to identify if you have PMS or implantation symptoms. Several pregnancy tests claim that the device is capable of providing accurate results as early as this. However, for more definite results, wait until a week after your usual period has arrived.
- In most cases, a blood test will only detect hormones a few days earlier than a home pregnancy test. Don't ask for a blood test just because you're curious, your insurance won't reimburse you for this.
Method 3 of 3: Recognizing Similar Symptoms of Both Conditions
Step 1. Recognize the difference between implantation bleeding and menstrual bleeding
You know the form of menstruation as usual. Whether the bleeding is heavy or light, you know what can happen to your period. However, implantation bleeding should be lighter than your period because you are not shedding the entire uterine lining, and the bleeding time will also usually not last the entire length of your period. Spotting of blood due to implantation usually occurs before the expected menstrual schedule. Normally, you'll only see a few drops of blood, which will also be a lighter color, either pink or brown, than the bright red of menstrual blood.
Step 2. Watch for mood swings
When you have PMS, you may have mood swings, but it can also be an early sign of pregnancy. In both cases, these mood swings are caused by hormonal changes.
Step 3. Monitor breast changes
Because both PMS and early pregnancy alter the balance of hormones in your body, both conditions can make your breasts feel swollen or slightly sore. Your breasts can also feel fuller when you're pregnant.
Step 4. Watch out for fatigue
Both PMS and implantation can make you feel even more tired. When you are pregnant, you may notice these symptoms as early as a week from the start, most likely due to increased levels of progesterone. However, PMS can also make you feel tired, this is also most likely due to hormonal changes.
Step 5. Watch out for headaches
Hormonal changes can also cause headaches, so you can experience them both in early pregnancy and during PMS.
Step 6. Realize if you have food cravings
Cravings can occur during PMS. The same thing can also appear in early pregnancy. Sometimes, the symptoms of cravings during pregnancy can be more bizarre, but this is not always the case.
Step 7. Monitor changes in your digestive tract
PMS can cause constipation or diarrhea due to hormonal changes. Likewise pregnancy, although in this case constipation is more likely to occur. In addition, the symptoms that appear will become more severe in the later stages of pregnancy.
Step 8. Understand when symptoms can occur
Usually, PMS symptoms will appear 1 to 2 weeks before your period starts. Usually the symptoms will disappear a few days after the start of menstruation. Implantation and early pregnancy symptoms generally occur around the same time; You implant or shed the uterine lining and start your period at the same point in time in your cycle.
