PMS or Early Pregnancy: Why They Feel So Similar

One of the hardest things about the two week wait is that PMS and early pregnancy can feel almost exactly the same.

For me, I did not really notice obvious pregnancy symptoms until just after I missed my period.

My breasts became very sensitive, and I could suddenly see veins all over them.

That was one of the first things that made me think something might be different.

But before that, there was nothing that clearly told me, Yes, you are pregnant.

Why do PMS and early pregnancy feel so similar?

A big reason is progesterone.

Progesterone rises after ovulation whether you are pregnant or not.

That means the same hormone can cause symptoms in both situations.

You might notice:

Breast tenderness.

Bloating.

Cramping.

Fatigue.

Mood changes.

Changes in discharge.

A heavy or full feeling in your breasts.

So symptoms alone cannot reliably tell you whether you are pregnant.

Are sore breasts a pregnancy sign?

They can be.

Breast tenderness can happen in early pregnancy, but it can also happen before your period.

Some women notice their breasts feel more sensitive than usual, fuller, heavier, or different from their normal PMS pattern.

You may also notice more visible veins as blood flow to the breasts begins to increase.

But even that is not enough on its own to confirm pregnancy.

What about cramps?

Mild cramping can happen with both PMS and early pregnancy.

Some women notice light pulling, twinges, or mild cramping around the time implantation may happen.

Others feel nothing at all.

Cramping by itself does not tell you whether implantation has happened.

What symptoms are more likely after a missed period?

For many women, symptoms become more noticeable after the expected period date.

That is because if pregnancy has occurred, hCG and progesterone continue to rise.

You may start to notice:

More breast tenderness.

Fatigue.

Nausea.

More frequent urination.

Changes in smell or appetite.

But every woman is different, and some have very few symptoms early on.

What if I have no symptoms?

That can still be completely normal.

Some women feel pregnant very early.

Others do not notice much until after a missed period.

Some barely have symptoms at all.

The presence or absence of symptoms does not tell you how healthy a pregnancy is.

So how do I actually know?

The only reliable way to know is to take a pregnancy test.

If your period is due or late, that is usually the best time to test.

If you test early and it is negative, you may simply need to wait a little longer and test again.

Read next

• When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?

• The Two Week Wait: What Is Actually Happening in Your Body?

• What Happens After Ovulation? 1 DPO to 14 DPO

• Pregnancy Week 4: Implantation and Your First Positive Test