Help me understand signs of miscarriage?

I'm 19 years old at 5'2 and100.4 lbs. I'm not sure if that will help. I've been trying to conceive for three months now to no avail. This month I was a few days late for my period with severe back and abdominal pains. Since I was twelve, I have ALWAYS been a day or two early for my period. I was supposed to start on the 20th and instead i started after midnight today (23rd). With my periods come menstrual cramps but not as severe as these. I also don't get backaches, headaches, or breast tenderness like I'm having now. Could this be a possible early miscarriage?

[aprilmay88]

Early miscarriages are sadly not preventable enless caused by unnatural reasons. Also early miscarriages are likely to be very similiar to a period maybe slightly heavier.

[AnnieBrooke]

Take an early-results (i.e., sensitive) home pregnancy test.  There will probably still be some hCG in your system if you are pregnant but miscarrying.