Difference:pms and pregnancy symptoms

[bani29]

Hi! My question is how can we differentiate pregnancy and pms symptoms?Every month i have symptoms like breast tenderness,tiredness,digestive problems,bloating and twinges in lower abdomen for about a week prior to my period.All of these symptoms resemble early pregnancy symptoms.Since i have been ttc,it becomes very difficult for me to understand during the two week wait.Kindly share your opinions.

[mumwith#4]

There's actually not a great deal of difference in early pregnancy except that the symptoms of pms usually go away when AF arrives or just before/after. Whereas pregnancy symptoms not only continue but increase in intensity. Hope this helps and good luck with finding out!

[aisham]

God I had the same question! I usually have pms a week before my period.  I was due yesterday for my period and have not had any pms and I'm a few days late! So I still wonder what symptoms I should be looking for...

[AnnieBrooke]

For me, there was no difference.  If you are one of the people who is not gifted by Mom's genes to get morning sickness, you probably won't have any different signals.  I had IVF so I KNEW when there were embryos inside me and when they should be implanting, and I still couldn't tell during the 2ww either that I was pregnant or that I was not.  Lower body cramps, etc. were all the same.  I remember being really surprised to get an HPT that was positive, and wouldn't have been so surprised if I had known through my female intuition that the IVF had worked.  That said, some ladies  do say they just knew.

[aisham]

Great, then I guess I'll wait another week to test if I don't get af first! Sooo confusing...

[lucylocket2]

oh, you'll know. It a different kinds sick feelin. or at least it was for me. I have cramps really bad. I didn't with the pg.'s. plus, I could just tell. I felt it. Good luck ttc!!

[bani29]

Thanks for your comments ladies.I am due for af tomorrow and have all pms symptoms.I hope its a pregnancy this month.Anyways i am ready even if af shows up bcoz it would then give me a new cycle for ttc.Good luck to u aisham.....keep us posted.

[katherine1973]

i am going thru the same thing.  i am on day 16 of embryo transfer and due to take blood test on day 18 friday.  i am on my 3rd ivf try, this time the best results for me, i am a low responder, they transfered 4 embryos on 12/21.  i have been extremely tired, some foods i have put in front of me and start to eat and have to stop because the taste makes me nauseated and these are foods i have eaten before, my breast were tender but that is not as noticeable, and i am feel more cramping, more urination, lower back pain, and my husband says i have a different overall scent, but i was bad an took an at home test a few days ago and i guess the test worked but the line was so faint i could barely see it and had to hold it up to the light just to read it, but it said negative.  i spoke with my nurse and she said it may or not be the case because i did it early, but i am not buying that.  plus, i would think i would have that female intution...that i would know.  if anyone has any thoughts please comment or email me at Katherine_Anderson***@****  i am so anxious and worried and sad that i cant think straight

[tinypuppy]

oh gosh.. i am so confused between PMS and pregnancy symptoms.. are they similar? Coz i usually tend to look bloated, feel tired and have a larger appetite prior to PMS. Lately, I have been very very moody.. in fact, i cry at the slightest issue. I'm not sure if this time round is pregnancy symptoms.. I do hope it is. Have been waiting for good news.. my menses is due this week.. I pray and hope I will not get my menses.. wish me luck!

[ras1020]

I know, I can't tell the difference between PMS and early pregnancy symptoms either.  I was very bloated, eating less, nauseous and tired for the last two weeks, which I normally get one week before my AF, but not two weeks.  I was 6 days late until yesterday I had a little light colored bleeding when I wiped, which lasted through out the day, but only when I wiped (so it was not flowing) and today not much at all.  However, I don't have any of the symptoms anymore (sore breasts) but I am a bit nauseous (not as much).  Maybe it's all in my head, but this is crazy and frustrating because I am never never never late more than 32 days (my cycle is normally 28 to 31 days).  I have a doc's appointment next week, so we'll see then.  I know exactly how you feel!  Take care.

[somewhereoutthere]

Ok, thanks to Google I know I am not alone!  I feel like a crazy person running to the bathroom every hour checking for AF.  I too seem to be feeling symptoms of PMS bloating, tiredness, cramping. My breasts seem fine though.  I keep reading that a lot of people get that but mine seem to be fine.  I am feeling rather lightheaded and have had some heartburn that I don’t usually ever experience.   I just wish there was some kind of sign that would just let you know.  As if the 2 week wait from ovulation isn’t torture enough your body sends off mixed signals.  I am pretty irregular so I am going to wait another few days before dashing off to get a test but fingers crossed this is it!

[candika]

Good luck to all who are  ttc.I know how you feel...I have a 9 year old son and have been trying for another child for about 7 years. After some fertility treatments I misscarried at 9 weeks in Dec.07.I have always had irregular cycles.After the mc I had reg visits from af in jan-feb- missed march she was back in april and missed may.Then I thought she was comin on june 3rd...all i got was a little discoloration and 2 bright red spots and she was gone.Now it is the 25th of june and in the in the last two weeks I have had some nausea and breast soreness.The last couple of days I have had some mild cramps lower back and legs aches. I've had almost like a watery fluid dicharge for a few weeks.I'm not sleeping to well at night. I was crying last night for no reason.I want to get pregnant again but the trauma from the misscarriage still haunts me.What do you think could I be pregnant.I got preg. the first time after just a couple of spots do you think that could have happened this time...Thanks, Candika

[msknox]

Wow, i feel so much better reading all of your stories. Every month I get my hopes up so high...... and when my period comes, i get so frustrated with my body. (Which of course is the wrong energy to have). I too am having sore bbs, (which I have been every month since ttc), severe moodiness, light headedness and tired. mild cramps. I'm taking a test thursday if still no period.
I have been having crazy dreams about babies and breastfeeding, which makes me wake up craving a child even more. It's amazing how in our society we're taught that if you work hard at something you will get what you want. This is one of the only times where that is simply not the case. I try to just have faith in the universe, that my time will come.
Good luck to all of you
- michaela

[candika]

Hi Candika here...Well af  teased me again this month.It was around the same time as last month,just a couple of red dots but never showed up.I still have all the same symptoms,I am gonna do another pt maybe this weekend.Wait and see I guess...I am so frustrated!