Am I Pregnant?The signs and symptoms a woman experiences during her pregnancy vary from woman to woman. Moreover, they also vary from one pregnancy to another. They also may appear at any time during pregnancy. Weight gain and a missed menstrual period are symptoms all women experience when they are pregnant. Show What is PMS (premenstrual syndrome)?Menstruation (period) is the process of bleeding from the vagina (known as the menstrual period) that occurs at the end of each menstrual cycle. Menstruation begins during puberty and lasts until menopause. Your period starts when the lining of the uterus sheds (approximately every 28 days) because the pregnancy did not occur. Your menstrual period is due to the normal variation in levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, known as the menstrual cycle. Many women experience symptoms including
PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, is a condition characterized by psychological and physical symptoms that develop at some point after you ovulate (which occurs during the middle of the menstrual cycle) and ends when you start your period. Symptoms of PMS can include
While 90% of women are believed to have some symptoms associated with menstruation, true PMS is more severe and likely occurs in 20% to 30% of women. SLIDESHOWPremenstrual Syndrome (PMS): Track and Prevent Symptoms See SlideshowSimilarities between PMS vs. pregnancy symptoms and signsFor many women, the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy can resemble those of her approaching menstrual period or PMS. In fact, it is not possible to tell from early symptoms alone if a woman is pregnant or having symptoms related to her upcoming menstrual period. The most similar common signs and symptoms that these conditions share include:
Differences between PMS vs. pregnancy signs and symptoms
QUESTIONThe first sign of pregnancy is most often: See AnswerWhat symptoms and signs are unique to pregnancy?
Certain symptoms are more characteristic of early pregnancy and are less likely to occur due to an impending menstrual period or PMS.
What is the 2-week wait?The "2-week wait" is a term that has been used to describe the time interval between ovulation and implantation, or the approximate point at which a pregnancy test will yield a definitive answer. Many tests available on the market today are able to determine if you are pregnant, even before the date of the expected menstrual period. Subscribe to MedicineNet's Pregnancy & Newborns NewsletterBy clicking "Submit," I agree to the MedicineNet Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also agree to receive emails from MedicineNet and I understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet subscriptions at any time. Medically Reviewed on 3/8/2022 References Moreno, M.A. "Premenstrual Syndrome Clinical Presentation." Medscape. Feb. 19, 2021. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/953696-clinical>. |