Difference Between Period Symptoms and Pregnancy Symptoms

June 2022 · 4 minute read

Main Difference

The main difference between the period symptoms and pregnancy symptoms is that period symptoms appear in days immediately before menstruation, whereas pregnancy symptoms appear after conceiving.

Period’s Symptoms vs. Pregnancy Symptoms

Period symptoms appear before or during the menstrual cycle and remain for 5 to 11 days, whereas pregnancy symptoms appear during pregnancy and remain for the whole pregnancy, nine months. Period symptoms are tender breasts, muscle ache, headache, abdominal cramp, lower backache, low energy (fatigue), bloating (fluid retention), joint pain, acne, diarrhea or constipation, and trouble sleeping.

On the other hand, pregnancy symptoms are nausea, vomiting, breasts tenderness, morning sickness, increased urination, moodiness, fatigue, headache, weight gain, bloating, light spotting, cramping, constipation, and food aversions, and nasal congestions.

Comparison Chart

Period’s SymptomsPregnancy Symptoms
Period symptoms can be defined as the complex symptoms experienced by a woman immediately before menstruationPregnancy symptoms are the symptoms that appear after the conception of pregnancy.
Duration
5 to 11 days9 months
Treatment
Mild conditions don’t require treatment, Pain killerNatural remedies, Medicines for nausea and vomiting

What are Period Symptoms?

Mostly girls and women experience mild symptoms of periods before and during the menstrual cycle. In the menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus breaks down and leaves the body through the vagina. It has different effects on the reproductive system. All emotional and physical symptoms of periods cause premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in women.

The most common period symptoms are tender breasts, muscle ache, headache, abdominal cramp, lower backache, low energy, bloating (fluid retention), fatigue, joint pain, acne, diarrhea or constipation, and trouble sleeping.

Period symptoms are more common in women who are in their late 20s to early 40s, have at least one child, have a history of depression, and have a medical history of any mood disorder. Painful symptoms of PMS such as backache, tender breasts, and muscle aches can be relieved with the use of over-the-counter medicines.

Ponstan is also amiable for pain. A warm bath or compresses can be useful to alleviate the symptom of cramping. Hormonal changes aggravate constipation during the last phase of periods and constipation increases the pain of cramps. It can be relieved by using high fiber foods, plenty of fluids, and stool softener.

What are Pregnancy Symptoms?

Pregnancy symptoms appear in the 4th week. Normally, women get their period four weeks from the start of the last period. But if the pregnancy has started, the classic symptom at this point is a missed period.

Many women feel fine at the 4th week of pregnancy, but various symptoms of pregnancy can be seen in women. Morning sickness, which can appear at any time of day, can be seen in one month of pregnancy. Nausea with or without vomiting is also a common symptom of pregnancy.

But some women don’t experience it, and some do experience it frequently. In pregnancy, hormonal balance changes, so breasts become tender and swollen. But this tenderness decreases after a few weeks when hormonal balance settles down.

Pregnant women also experience frequent urination because the volume of blood increases in pregnancy which causes the kidneys to process extra fluid and frequent urination occurs. Fatigue is also a symptom of early pregnancy. During pregnancy, the level of progesterone hormone changes, and women feel sleepy.

Besides these symptoms, there are numerous symptoms that can be seen during pregnancy, such as moodiness, headache, weight gain, bloating, light spotting, cramping, constipation, food aversions, and nasal congestion. Late pregnancy symptoms are leg swelling, backache, heartburn, leakage of urine, and shortness of breath.

All these signs and symptoms are not unique to pregnancy. Many women can have a pregnancy without experiencing any of them. Sometimes, period symptoms can be mistaken as the symptoms of pregnancy. Some home remedies and self-care techniques can bring relief to most pregnancy symptoms.

Key Differences

  • Period symptoms appear for 5 to 11 days, whereas pregnancy symptoms appear for nine months.
  • Period symptoms can be treated with natural remedies and over-the-counter drugs, whereas pregnancy symptoms can be treated with medicines and rest.
  • Conclusion

    It has been concluded that both period symptoms and pregnancy symptoms are symptoms of entirely different conditions menstrual cycle and pregnancy, respectively.

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