How to distinguish pre-menstrual symptoms from pregnancy

The concept of the menstrual cycle refers to the painstaking work of the body, which prepares for the conception of a child: the uterus is lined with a special layer of tissue, a comfortable place is prepared for the baby during pregnancy, and the egg matures. If conception does not take place, then the body gets rid of the achieved results in order to start all over again.

Before the start of a new cycle, a woman experiences unpleasant moments or signs before menstruation, called PMS. They are accompanied by lingering pain in the lower abdomen, increased irritability, and fatigue. However, pregnancy and menstruation, the symptoms of which are very similar, may have similar symptoms. It is important for every woman to learn to distinguish them from each other.

Chest pain

Swelling and chest pain are characteristic of both PMS and pregnancy. This is due to changes in hormone levels, so this sign is not decisive. The only thing you can take into account is the duration of this condition.

During pregnancy, this symptom accompanies the young mother all the time, as processes associated with lactation occur in the chest.

With PMS, this symptom lasts for several days. Discomfort in the back Back pain during pregnancy occurs much later, closer to the third trimester. In the early stages, this is not a characteristic sign; it may occur due to a state of general malaise. More pronounced back pain occurs with PMS.

Painful periods - algomenorrhea

Do not confuse periodic pain before menstruation with a rather unpleasant disease - algomenorrhea. The manifestation of this pathology is similar to ordinary pain in the lower abdomen before menstruation, but the difference is that these pains are cramping, they can involve the lower back and do not go away even during menstruation. This pathology occurs in almost 40% of women, while about 10% suffer from such pain so much that they lose their ability to work during menstruation. Algomenorrhea can be primary and secondary. Primary occurs in young girls approximately a year after the first menstruation.

The pain begins either on the first day of menstruation or a few hours before menstruation. The pain is cramping, mainly in the lower abdomen and lower back, and the pain may be accompanied by nausea, weakness, and headache. Why the stomach hurts before menstruation with primary algomenorrhea is not fully understood. Examination by a gynecologist, ultrasound, and clinical studies, as a rule, do not show any pathology. Cramping pain occurs due to contractions of the uterus, which occurs due to high levels of prostaglandins - substances responsible for contractions of the uterus. Therefore, to treat algomenorrhea, substances that suppress the synthesis of prostaglandins are used.

Secondary algomenorrhea occurs as a result of endometriosis. The pain lasts for 2-3 days, and not only the lower abdomen hurts, but also the lower back and rectum. Nausea and vomiting, as with primary algomenorrhea, do not occur, but body temperature may increase. This type of algomenorrhea occurs in women aged 30-40 years. The disease algomenorrhea in this case may be associated with an unsuccessful abortion, uterine fibroids, curettage, or the use of an intrauterine device. Often the cause of secondary algomenorrhea is varicose veins of the small pelvis. Treatment is carried out after determining the cause of this disease.

Bloody issues

Bloody discharge during pregnancy is not profuse, more spotting and lasts 2-3 days, general health is better than during normal menstruation. This discharge may begin a little earlier than the expected period, and can be brown or brown in color.

Bloody discharge during pregnancy is explained by the process of attachment of the embryo in the uterine mucosa. Such phenomena do not happen often during pregnancy, but 2 of my friends experienced this.

Every woman should listen very carefully to her body, then such symptoms will not go unnoticed. This symptom is quite indicative. It is important to learn to determine the difference between spotting during pregnancy and menstruation.

Nausea

PMS may also be characterized by nausea, but this is a short-term and rare phenomenon, and occurs much earlier than during pregnancy.

Early toxicosis of pregnant women leads to aversion to food. Nausea occurs not only in the morning, but throughout the day at any time. Under the influence of unpleasant odors, toxicosis intensifies.

Usually this symptom occurs after 5 weeks, which is associated with the vital processes of the fetus. The metabolism has not yet been established, and fetal decay products enter the mother’s blood and cause minor intoxication. This continues until 4-5 months, while the placenta matures. Vomiting may occur periodically.

This symptom may manifest itself differently in one woman during different pregnancies. My friend did not have toxicosis while expecting a boy, but when she became pregnant with her daughter, nausea and vomiting accompanied her constantly. From my own experience, I will say that toxicosis accompanied me from 5 to 16 weeks, but for two of my friends, it clearly stopped at 12 weeks. Several of my good friends did not suffer from it at all.

Cravings for certain types of food

During pregnancy, food tastes often change, cravings for certain foods arise, and familiar foods can cause disgust. The expression “craving something salty means pregnancy” is known to everyone, and this is understandable; there is often a desire to eat sweet and salty foods.

In the early stages of pregnancy, women may experience a feeling of hunger, this is due to significant energy expenditure by the body at the time the fertilized egg moves through the fallopian tubes and its implantation. This process takes up to two days.

But such a symptom is also not decisive, since from my own experience I will say that before PMS my appetite greatly increases, like most of my friends. This is also understandable from a physiological point of view - the body accumulates nutrients before significant blood loss.

Aching pain in the lower abdomen

During pregnancy - short-term, non-intrusive and sluggish.

With PMS, the pain is more severe and unpleasant, and there is bloating, especially on the first day. A third of my friends have a tummy tug throughout their period. There are also lucky women who do not experience such unpleasant sensations.

When pregnancy occurs, the egg is fertilized, and the uterus begins to prepare for its implantation. During the attachment of the fruit egg to the mucous membrane, unpleasant sensations are possible. Before menstruation, the reverse process occurs - the mucous membrane peels off, which is released during menstruation. It gives a similar feeling. In both cases, the pain is of a different nature.

Sudden changes in emotional state

During pregnancy, mood swings are extreme, emotions are stronger and appear more vividly. One of my friends, in the early stages of pregnancy, wanted to cry all the time, she felt sorry for everyone and was offended to the point of tears, or she simply laughed merrily at an insignificant joke. Moodiness and causeless anxiety also constantly accompany a woman.

With PMS, negative emotions, increased nervous tension, panic attacks, anger, and anger are more often present. Everything returns to normal with the start of menstruation.

It is this indicator that most often catches the eye of others. The nature of this symptom is related to hormones, but there are also differences in its manifestation.

Fatigue and dizziness

During pregnancy, there is a sharp increase in progesterone levels, which causes increased fatigue in the first weeks.

• There is a decrease in blood pressure and sugar levels
• The total amount of blood in the body increases

This causes deterioration in well-being and dizziness. Characteristic features include absent-mindedness and fatigue. Before the onset of menstruation, similar changes occur, but as they begin, progesterone levels decrease and fatigue goes away.

Drowsiness

During pregnancy, drowsiness occurs quite often and this is of a protective nature. The body is trying to protect the little child from the excessive emotionality of his mother, the woman becomes more lethargic, wants to sleep all the time, and “not run to the front line and rush into battle.”

During my pregnancy, I simply slept through the entire first trimester, I was extremely sleepy:

There are women who experience insomnia during this period.

With PMS, this symptom is short-term.

This symptom occurs against the background of general fatigue of the body.

Sensitivity to odors

This symptom appears one of the first in early pregnancy. A woman feels morning sickness. Some smells are particularly disgusting. Most often this concerns the odors of household chemicals, toilet water, perfumes, odors from food, especially during their preparation. All “aromas” are felt very sharply.

During her pregnancy, my good friend simply could not go into the kitchen and open the refrigerator, she had difficulty traveling on public transport, everything smelled terrible to her. It is especially unpleasant to experience this period in the summer, when heat is added to all the irritating factors, which simply intensifies it.

Pain as a sign of pregnancy

Unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen are not uncommon. Expectant mothers feel:

• pulling sensations;
• distension;
• light shooting.

Yeah, remember PMS? This joy has not passed you by, and do you know how your stomach can hurt before your period, you feel the urge to swallow chocolate and want to hit someone on the head with a frying pan? And these, my dears, are our hormonal girls and women who are rowdy.

Oh, there is no menstruation, no, but the stomach behaves as if it were menstruation. Why is this, you ask? The answer is that it’s all because of HORMONES. Have you seen your hCG (gonadotropin), and the amount of progesterone? Well, here is your pain in the lower abdomen and its swelling, discomfort in the chest and nipples, and also profuse gas formation.

Now let's talk:

1. Is it dangerous?
2. And what should you do in this case?

If you are plagued by constant pain in the lower abdomen at the beginning of pregnancy, run to the gynecologist! The causes of discomfort are varied and you cannot determine them yourself. More precisely, you cannot determine the degree of danger, although we talk about it.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of reasons for an urgent visit to a gynecologist when your stomach hurts during pregnancy. All of them have characteristic symptoms, which are best familiarized with in advance. After all, sometimes both the life of a long-awaited baby and the health of his future mother depend on the timely assistance of doctors.

1. Frozen pregnancy

- pallor of the skin and weakness, nausea;

- temperature increase;

- quite severe pain in the lower back, groin, lower abdomen.

At a later date, the reason for contacting a doctor should also be the absence of active movement of the baby for four to six hours. Diagnosis of frozen pregnancy at any stage is carried out using a blood test for hCG and ultrasound. When a diagnosis is made, the uterus is cleansed from the remains of the fertilized egg.

2. Miscarriage and lower abdominal pain in early pregnancy

Pregnant women often have stomach pain. It is he who becomes the center of attention for these nine months.

And it is here that the main events and changes in a woman’s body take place. Often all these processes are accompanied by various pains, which some gynecologists call normal, while others claim that nothing should hurt.

However, very often women experience period pain during pregnancy. And understandably, this worries them.

You've probably already heard that many pregnant women often experience stomach pain. And, in fact, it is he who can become the real center of attention for literally the entire nine months of pregnancy. As you understand here, or rather, all the most important events and real changes in the female body will take place in it.

It must be said that quite often ongoing innovations and processes will be accompanied by pain of varying intensity. By the way, some gynecologists call these absolutely normal, while at the same time others confidently claim that nothing should hurt anywhere during pregnancy.

But, nevertheless, quite often pregnant women can feel pain reminiscent of the pain during menstruation, but this may cause some concern, since we are talking about pregnancy. And of course, any woman cannot but be alarmed by such situations.

We immediately hasten to reassure you that among the very first signs of pregnancy there are many symptoms that truly resemble the approach of a normal menstrual cycle. And of course, if these symptoms appear prematurely, or rather before the due date of menstruation, then this is the very first thing that can make a woman suspect pregnancy.

Definitely, among such signs and symptoms there may be so-called nagging pains directly in the lower abdomen; they are exactly reminiscent of pain during menstruation. This, first of all, can occur during the implantation period, according to the timing it is on the 6th or 12th day immediately after conception. This is the time when an already fertilized egg has been able to reach the uterus and is simply trying to attach tightly to its wall.

Not everyone, but many of us, have a tug in the lower abdomen on the eve of our period. In addition or at the same time, other sensations may appear, collectively called premenstrual syndrome. This is breast soreness and increased sensitivity of the nipples. nausea, increased appetite, drowsiness, irritability and others.

Any of the listed symptoms can equally indicate both the approach of menstruation and the occurrence of conception in this cycle. Therefore, if you have every reason to suspect the latter, then you should not think that the very first signs of pregnancy - when your stomach feels tight, as before menstruation, or your breasts become full and hurt - indicate a threat or danger.

Aching, nagging pain in the lower abdomen in the early stages has a physiological explanation.

Modern women know a huge number of symptoms, clues, hints and signs that tell them that they are probably pregnant. These symptoms and signs can appear individually or all at once.

And if a woman suspects or does not exclude the possibility of conception, she will undoubtedly be able to recognize the signals that her body will give. But, as you know, most early signs of pregnancy are very similar to the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

Therefore, you should not rush to perceive them as a diagnosis.

In cases where the next period is delayed, and at the same time there are still a number of other signs of pregnancy, then we can talk about a high probability of its occurrence. But it very often happens that women begin to make their assumptions without waiting for a delay in menstruation.

In cases where there is a reason to expect pregnancy, then, as a rule, a woman can feel an early sign of pregnancy - pulling in the lower abdomen. This can be observed in the very early stages.

Why is this happening?

The reason for this sensation may be either the approaching menstruation, or the fact that the fertilized egg is attached to the wall of the uterus. In order to thoroughly gain a foothold in the uterine cavity, the fertilized egg (zygote) begins to scrape out epithelial cells, thereby preparing a place for its attachment.

This process is called implantation, it can be accompanied by some signs that will tell a woman about her pregnancy even before the onset of menstruation. The main point is that the main sign of pregnancy is a tightness in the lower abdomen.

At this time, the woman’s uterus experiences a violation of the integrity of its wall and the invasion of a foreign body into it.

Feelings, signs and symptoms at the beginning of pregnancy

The onset of pregnancy rarely reveals itself with any signs that can be detected independently. Only that. delay in menstruation, but many young girls do not pay much attention to this: “Cycle failure happens to everyone!” More attentive girls look for any signs that are not too reliable at the beginning of pregnancy. Let's look at all the changes that a lady expecting a baby can notice (in the early stages).

There are a wide variety of signs, symptoms, hints and clues that can indicate to a woman that she is likely pregnant. They can appear individually or in several ways at once.

And if you suspect or do not rule out that conception may have occurred, then you will certainly recognize some signals given by your body. However, they should not be taken as a “diagnosis” because many early signs of pregnancy are very similar to the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in women.

Of course, if your next menstruation is delayed and you observe several early signs of pregnancy at once, then the probability of its occurrence is very high. However, we often begin to make assumptions even before our period is missed. And if you have reason to expect pregnancy, then most likely you will feel the earliest sign of pregnancy.

This can indeed be observed from a very early date. Why does the lower abdomen feel tight at the beginning of pregnancy?

Let's imagine that the egg meets the desired sperm and together they form a zygote. The zygote will now move through the fallopian tubes to reach the uterus and attach to its wall for further growth and development.

The path to the future home takes on average 6-12 days (this time frame may differ for different women). Most often, fertilization occurs during the period of ovulation, which occurs approximately on days 10-12 of the cycle (options are also possible here).

Thus, it turns out that the fertilized egg reaches the uterus at the end of the cycle, when there are several days left before the next expected period. And in most cases, a woman feels a nagging pain in the lower abdomen - either due to impending menstruation, or due to the “housewarming” of the egg.

This is an abbreviated approximate ideal scenario of the events taking place.

Of course, pregnancy is a happy time of waiting for a baby and a certain period of time when a woman is in a special emotional and physical state. However, the fact remains that the first weeks of pregnancy are considered the most difficult, especially if it is the first pregnancy, since many sensations for a woman in an “interesting” position are new and unfamiliar.

One of these sensations is nagging pain in the lower abdomen. To figure out what these sensations are associated with and whether you should worry about this, read the article to the end.

So, let's look at the causes of pulling sensations in the lower abdomen.

Of course, if your next menstruation is delayed and you observe several early signs of pregnancy at once, then the probability of its occurrence is very high. However, we often begin to make assumptions even before our period is missed. And if you have reason to expect pregnancy, then most likely you will feel the earliest sign of pregnancy:.

There are a wide variety of signs, symptoms, hints and clues that can indicate to a woman that she is likely pregnant. They can appear individually or in several ways at once.

And if you suspect or do not rule out that conception may have occurred, then you will certainly recognize some of the signals given by your body. However, they should not be taken as a “diagnosis” because many early signs of pregnancy are very similar to the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in women.

Of course, if your next menstruation is delayed and you observe several early signs of pregnancy at once, then the probability of its occurrence is very high. However, we often begin to make assumptions even before our period is missed. And if you have reason to expect pregnancy, then most likely you will feel the earliest sign of pregnancy: a tugging in the lower abdomen.

This can indeed be observed from a very early date.

Why does the lower abdomen feel tight at the beginning of pregnancy?

Let's imagine that the egg meets the desired sperm and together they form a zygote. The zygote will now move through the fallopian tubes to reach the uterus and attach to its wall for further growth and development.

The path to the future home takes on average 6-12 days (this time frame may differ for different women). Most often, fertilization occurs during the period of ovulation, which occurs approximately on days 10-12 of the cycle (options are also possible here).

Thus, it turns out that the fertilized egg reaches the uterus at the end of the cycle, when there are several days left before the next expected period. And in most cases, a woman feels a nagging pain in the lower abdomen - either due to impending menstruation, or due to the “housewarming” of the egg.

This is an abbreviated approximate ideal scenario of the events taking place.

November 26, 2012

Pregnancy is a condition that is accompanied by significant changes throughout the body. The work of all organs and systems, and first of all the genital organs, will change, and from the very first days. All this is accompanied by certain sensations, including pain, which are considered normal. But pain can also be a sign of trouble.

Abdominal pain in the first days after conception

In the first 7–10 days after fertilization of the egg, the embryo moves along the fallopian tube towards the uterus, and the uterus at this time prepares for its implantation. Under the influence of sex hormones, the uterus quickly increases in volume due to an increase in the number and volume of muscle fibers - the middle layer of the uterus. At the same time, the ligaments on which the uterus is suspended in the pelvis swell and slightly stretch.

All these physiological changes are accompanied by certain sensations, the degree of which depends on the sensitivity of the woman.

More sensitive women may experience significant nagging pain in the lower abdomen. Less sensitive women usually feel no pain at all.

Every expectant mother knows that the development of her unborn baby depends on her health. That is why it is so important to closely monitor changes in well-being from the earliest stages of gestation.

Women often complain that their stomach feels tight in the first weeks of pregnancy. The reasons may be different, so it is best to consult a doctor.

But it will be useful to know about what can cause such unpleasant sensations at the very beginning of this important period.

How to determine exactly

None of the above signs are 100% decisive; you can guess about a possible pregnancy or have doubts. Even the absence of menstruation does not definitely indicate pregnancy.

Delays can be caused by severe stress, overwork at work, emotional overstrain, perhaps you have exams or a difficult interview, you quarreled with your loved one; may be associated with climate change, or be a signal of the development of a disease. To eliminate any doubts, the best method is to use a pregnancy test.

All tests have the same principle; they react to the level of a hormone in the urine - human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). There are different types of tests:

1. Test strips are not expensive. The test is a strip with markings applied to it. The test must be placed in a container with morning urine. After a few seconds, place the material on a horizontal surface and wait until the indicator strip reacts to the hormone level. Morning urine contains the highest concentration of hCG, so the result will be more reliable. Two lines on the test indicate that the woman is pregnant. If the result is short, the result may be incorrect; it is better to recheck after some time.
2. The tablet test is relatively new and convenient. It has great sensitivity, which makes it possible to detect pregnancy in the early stages. The test looks like a tablet with windows. A small amount of urine must be applied to a special window where there is a colorless cloth with a reagent. When urine comes into contact with fabric, it reacts, colors it, and the result is visible in another window. This test is more effective.
3. The jet test is one of the new modern types. It is a small plastic device, at the end there are strips with applied sensitive particles that immediately react to the presence of the hCG hormone in the urine. It has very high accuracy and reliability.
4. The electronic test is very convenient and comfortable. In appearance it resembles an inkjet, but has a special screen on which there will be an inscription: “pregnant” - you are pregnant, and “not pregnant” - you are not pregnant.

If you have done the test and have doubts, you can do a laboratory blood test for hCG. Remember, every woman is individual and unique, no one can understand her body better than her. PMS is a monthly phenomenon, and each of us knows best what special symptoms it is accompanied by. Listen to your body and you will definitely notice if any changes occur.

For additional reading

The menstrual cycle involves a huge and complex work of the body, which is preparing for the conception of a child. In the middle of the cycle, an egg is released from the ovaries and prepares for fertilization. An additional mucous layer forms in the uterus, which will receive the unborn baby.

If fertilization does not occur, then the body begins to get rid of the results of its achievements, and next month everything will start all over again. Before the start of a new cycle, a number of changes occur in the female body, which occur a few days before the onset of menstruation and are called premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Every second woman notices manifestations of PMS, but in my environment, individual signs are found in all my female friends and acquaintances.

• back discomfort;
• aching pain in the lower abdomen;
• sudden changes in emotional state;
• fatigue and dizziness;
• nausea and vomiting;
• bloody issues.

Missing a period is a known sign of pregnancy. But you've probably heard statements from some women that they knew about conception even before the delay. Let's try to figure out whether this is possible and what are the signs of pregnancy before menstruation.

Formally, the first days after fertilization of the egg are not yet considered pregnancy, since the unborn baby at this moment has not had time to gain a foothold in the uterus. But still, certain changes in the mother’s body are already beginning to occur.

Stomach pain during pregnancy, similar to menstruation

Why does my stomach hurt during pregnancy, like during menstruation?

The stomach hurts during pregnancy, as during menstruation - this complaint of expectant mothers is an indication for some preventive actions. Especially if, in addition to painful sensations, bloody discharge from the genital tract appears. This happens when there is a threat of miscarriage. Let's take a closer look at when you should see a doctor or even call an ambulance, and what kind of emergency help you can provide yourself.

Why does the stomach hurt during pregnancy, as during menstruation, is usually asked by young girls. Perhaps they did not even plan pregnancy and were sure that menstruation was about to begin; there were all the signs of its imminent onset, including painful sensations in the uterine area. But there is still no bleeding, but the pregnancy test gives a second line.

Many women believe that when pregnancy occurs, the stomach hurts like before menstruation in the first weeks and this is the norm. Unfortunately, it is not. Of course, barely noticeable discomfort is unlikely to lead to a miscarriage, but strong spasms of the muscular layer of the uterus can very well provoke detachment of the fertilized egg. But if your stomach hurts during your period during pregnancy, this is not the norm. Although this can happen, according to statistics it is more common at 4,8,12 weeks of pregnancy.

The most effective means of preventing pregnancy is vaginal or oral administration of progesterone. It is the lack of this hormone that leads to detachments of the ovum and tension of the uterus. But in a matter of minutes or hours the drug will not help. Therefore, doctors tell their patients who have pregnancy pain in the lower abdomen, as during menstruation, what to do - take two No-shpa tablets and use the Papaverine hydrochloride suppository rectally. Plus physical and sexual peace.

There is no need to worry if the expectant mother's uterus tenses painlessly. Moreover, this occurs irregularly and lasts a short time, without causing physical discomfort. This kind of muscle tension will not harm the baby and will not cause the cervix to dilate. After 30 weeks, this is generally the norm; these are the so-called preparatory Braxton Higgs contractions.

The causes of period pain during early pregnancy can sometimes be caused by severe bloating of the intestines, which puts pressure on the uterus. Less commonly, and at any time, large uterine fibroids lead to such pain.

You should call an ambulance if there is bloody discharge from the genital tract. At the same time, if you are 1-2 days late in your menstruation and have similar discharge, you need to be prepared that the ambulance will not arrive, since the fact of pregnancy has not yet been established by doctors, and your symptoms will be perceived as normal menstruation. Unless, of course, they are too abundant (unless 1 pad per hour gets wet), or the pain is not unbearable. But this is rare in very early stages of pregnancy. More often than not, it ends in a miscarriage, and the woman does not even suspect that she was pregnant unless she takes a pregnancy test.

If you have a longer period, 2 or more weeks of delay in menstruation, and you have already been to the doctor, that is, you know exactly what your situation is, you will probably be taken to the hospital, the pregnancy pathology department. Bloody discharge may indicate partial detachment of the fertilized egg. This is a threat, but not yet a miscarriage. If the bleeding is severe, a fertilized egg appears from the cervical canal - it will be impossible to save the pregnancy.

Feelings in the abdomen in early pregnancy can be an important clue for a woman. Based on some signs, one can suspect the birth of a new life even before the delay. To do this, you need to constantly listen to yourself. The best time to observe the “behavior” of the abdomen is morning and evening. During the day, the expectant mother is busy with work, household chores and the daily bustle. At this pace, it will be very difficult to notice minor changes.

Physiological changes in the body in the first days of pregnancy

During the first week after meeting the sperm, the fertilized egg moves along the fallopian tube and, reaching the uterus, is fixed in it. At the site of implantation, the placenta begins to form, which will supply the baby with nutrients.

From this moment, the production of progesterone begins, the hormone responsible for maintaining pregnancy. Then, the umbilical cord is formed and the cardiovascular system of the fetus is formed. A bubble filled with amniotic fluid forms around the embryo.

During all of these processes, increased blood flow to the uterus and hormonal changes occur. This affects the mother's body and can cause a number of symptoms.

Could there be a pregnancy?

The characteristic pain in the lower abdomen that accompanies a delay in menstruation is quite capable of serving as the basis for an alleged pregnancy. But there is also a high probability that

that a delay of several days before menstruation occurred under the influence of external factors, most likely not related to pregnancy. This could be stressful situations, climate change, or previous illnesses.

To confirm these assumptions, you can do a test during the first week, and then be sure to consult a gynecologist. A visit to the doctor will protect a woman from a pathological pregnancy, since ideally the beginning of pregnancy should not cause any discomfort other than nausea.

The first symptoms indicating conception

The first signs of pregnancy after menstruation before the expected start of a new cycle, when a delay should occur, are weakly expressed and depend on the individual reaction of the body to the new condition. Symptoms indicating recent conception include:

• Mild pulling or tingling pain in the lower abdomen. Such sensations are normal and indicate that the uterus is preparing to bear a child.
• Enlargement and tenderness of the mammary glands. Not all women experience this symptom before the delay, but such breast changes may indicate recent conception.
• Change in the amount of vaginal discharge. Due to the rush of blood to the genitals that occurs during pregnancy, women may notice that their daily discharge has become more abundant.
• Frequent urination. The enlarging uterus begins to put pressure on the bladder, which causes frequent urge to urinate.
• Implantation bleeding. On days 6-12 after conception, light yellowish-brown discharge sometimes occurs, which women mistake for the beginning of menstruation. If they stop soon and your period never starts, it is most likely caused by the implantation of an egg into the wall of the uterus. Read more about implantation bleeding→
• A distinct manifestation of the vascular pattern on the limbs, abdomen and chest. This occurs under the influence of hormones and becomes less noticeable over time.
• Increase in basal temperature. BT is measured rectally, using a thermometer. Only those women who monitored regularly can notice the change. After conception, the so-called implantation depression occurs, when BT decreases sharply, the next day it rises above 37 ° C and remains at this level.
• Digestive disorder. Due to hormonal changes, metabolic processes in the body may be temporarily disrupted, which causes constipation or loose stools.
• Increased salivation. This symptom is associated with the onset of early toxicosis and is often accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
• Fatigue, drowsiness, fatigue. Apathy is one of the first signs of pregnancy before menstruation. This feeling can make itself felt a week after the day of expected conception. The reasons for fatigue and drowsiness are that the hormone progesterone, which begins to be produced in a pregnant woman, depresses the psyche. However, the same condition can be caused by simple fatigue or a cold.
• Feeling of heaviness in the pelvic area. The very first signs of pregnancy before the delay include a feeling of heaviness in the pelvic organs. In pregnant women, the size of the uterus increases and blood flow to the organs increases. This is why women can feel heaviness in the pelvic area even before the delay. Some women also experience a feeling of “fullness” in their organs.
• Lower back pain. Another first sign of pregnancy before your period may be lower back pain. “Shots” in the area of ​​the sacrum give a signal to a woman that she is pregnant. It is very important to be able to distinguish them from pain that occurs due to any disease.
• Headache. Serious changes occur in a woman's body during pregnancy. They may cause headaches. They can torment a pregnant woman throughout the first trimester. The cause of their appearance can be not only pregnancy, but various diseases.
• Increased appetite. Increased appetite is one of the signs of pregnancy. In the early stages, women have a desire to enjoy something (cucumbers, ice cream, etc.), and a craving for certain foods appears. A pregnant woman, despite the increase in appetite, should eat in moderation. Overeating during pregnancy is undesirable, as is fasting. Nutrition should be complete. A pregnant woman's food should contain all the necessary nutrients in sufficient quantities.

Non-gynecological reasons

The female body is built slightly differently compared to the male body. Often women are subject to such difficulties as: disruptions of the menstrual cycle, complications during pregnancy. This is not typical for men.

A painful feeling is not a pathology, but its manifestation.

With a normal balance of hormones, women do not feel discomfort during any period of the menstrual cycle. When a woman experiences a painful feeling similar to that which accompanies menstruation below the abdomen and back, the cause is prostaglandins.

Pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy does not necessarily indicate gynecological problems. The banal reason is that you want something salty or sweet.

Peculiar taste preferences in an interesting position can cause bloating and various intestinal disorders. Normalizing digestion, planning a healthy menu, and including necessary foods in the diet will relieve flatulence, constipation or diarrhea, and pain in the lower abdomen in the early stages of pregnancy.

A regular menstrual cycle is a clear indicator of a woman's normal health. An annual examination by a gynecologist is mandatory for every woman, because some conditions can identify a wide variety of diseases.

Depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle, a woman’s general physical, moral and psychological state changes. Well, regular periods are the most obvious indicator of the onset or non-occurrence of pregnancy, so women expect the start of a new cycle every month with special trepidation.

Premenstrual syndrome

Most women know what premenstrual syndrome is with all the ensuing consequences. Others determine the imminent onset of menstruation by swollen and slightly enlarged breasts, aching pain in the lower back and abdomen, and a slightly swollen abdomen. But sometimes it happens that the stomach hurts, like during menstruation, but there is no menstruation. What to do in such cases?

Delay, abdominal pain and pregnancy

The first step is to take a pregnancy test. Most test strips show results already from the first days of a missed period.

At the same time, the first signs of pregnancy are very often similar to the signs of premenstrual syndrome, so a delay should be taken very seriously. There is a huge possibility that a new life is developing in a woman’s tummy, and aching pain indicates a pathology in the development of pregnancy or the baby.

It should be remembered that an ectopic pregnancy is not detected by a pregnancy test, and signs of premenstrual syndrome, as a rule, persist even if there is no period.

Reasons for the absence of menstruation with abdominal pain and a negative pregnancy test

Lower abdominal pain during pregnancy can be divided into 2 types: obstetric and non-obstetric.

The first type includes pain associated with ectopic pregnancy, premature placental abruption, and the risk of miscarriage.

The second type of pain is associated with tension in the abdominal muscles, sprain of the uterine ligaments, and problems in the gastrointestinal tract.

Confirmation of a planned and desired pregnancy in a future mother causes a storm of various emotions - joy, delight, excitement, pride and the desire to do everything according to the rules. The baby should be born healthy, strong and the smartest - it shouldn’t be otherwise.

But joy is overshadowed by incomprehensible sensations that cause anxiety and bewilderment. Do pain in the lower abdomen in the early stages of pregnancy threaten trouble? And should I consult my doctor?

Stomach pain during pregnancy, like during menstruation - when you shouldn’t sound the alarm

Nagging pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy always causes fear and horror in pregnant women. Yes, losing a pregnancy, especially a long-awaited one, or getting critical complications that can impair the development of the baby is a sad prospect.

And sometimes it is very difficult even for a specialist to figure out what is the cause of such a symptom and how dangerous it is.

Therefore, pregnant women with such manifestations should definitely talk about this complaint to the gynecologist. And the doctor, in turn, must examine the patient and exclude a pathological course of pregnancy.

The doctor will purposefully interview the expectant mother about the nature of the pain, its intensity, and exact location. Be sure to clarify what the pregnant woman herself associates with the occurrence of pain.

From the moment the egg is fertilized and right up to the birth itself, processes occur in the body of the expectant mother that can cause painful sensations. And although these sensations are not very pleasant for the expectant mother, neither she herself nor the baby are in danger.

What sensations may indicate pregnancy before your period is missed?

First of all, the emotional sphere responds to the onset of pregnancy. Many women notice that they have become more nervous and vulnerable; any irritants during this period can cause tears.

Sometimes there is a change in food preferences, a heightened sense of smell, and familiar dishes and smells begin to cause disgust. The expectant mother may quickly get tired, feel drowsy and weak.

There may be other indirect signs of pregnancy before a missed period:

• a woman becomes either hot or cold for no apparent reason;
• dry mouth appears;
• nagging pain in the lumbar back;
• limbs swell slightly;
• I'm worried about insomnia.

Another symptom of recent conception noted by many mothers is sensations reminiscent of the onset of a cold. Nasal congestion appears, but its causes are not necessarily related to acute respiratory infections.

The fact is that progesterone produced in the early stages of pregnancy provokes fluid retention in the body, manifested by swelling of the mucous membrane. During this period, women may find it difficult to breathe through their nose, and snoring may occur at night.

Body temperature often rises to 37-37.2°. This is a normal phenomenon caused by increased production of progesterone.

Of course, we cannot exclude the possibility that the listed changes in condition may be associated with a cold. The risk of contracting a respiratory infection in the early stages of pregnancy increases due to the natural decrease in immunity necessary for the normal attachment of the baby. Read more about the risk and treatment of acute respiratory infections during pregnancy→

If nasal congestion is accompanied by other symptoms - cough, sore throat, fever above 37.5°, you should seek medical help.

At your appointment, you need to tell your doctor that you may be pregnant so that you can prescribe medications that are acceptable for this condition. Self-medication is highly discouraged for expectant mothers.

Main signs before menstruation

Unpleasant sensations associated with the onset of menstruation can be very individual. However, the most common period symptoms are:

• pain in the lower back, abdomen, chest;
• depressive mood combined with sleep disturbances;
• headache.

If you compare the symptoms of menstruation with the first signs of pregnancy, you can come to the conclusion that they are very similar. In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman may be drowsy, irritable, and have sudden mood swings. To understand the manifestations of the body, you need to learn to listen to yourself and feel changes.

Interesting: IVF. When dreams come true

Watch yourself for a few months. If the symptoms before your period are headaches and back pain, then it is likely that these symptoms will not bother you once you become pregnant. If, on the contrary, the signs of the onset of menstruation are unknown to you, then you can say with reasonable confidence that pregnancy has occurred if you suffer from migraines, excessive irritability, and mood swings.

loading…

Temperature changes may also indicate a change in condition. A woman's temperature rises by several degrees during ovulation. If it has returned to a constant level, then you should prepare for the onset of menstruation. If the temperature column freezes at an elevated level, then we can talk about the onset of pregnancy. However, in this method there is also an error due to individual characteristics. In order to confidently talk about normal or elevated temperature, it needs to be measured daily for several months in a row in order to have a picture of changes in body temperature over a certain period.

Lifestyle of a woman in early pregnancy

If a woman feels the beginning of pregnancy, even if this has not yet been confirmed by tests, she needs to change her lifestyle taking into account the possible new condition. Drastic changes are not necessary, but you should start taking care of yourself more.

It is better to stop active recreation or household chores that involve significant physical exertion. It is important to follow a daily routine and rest schedule, and get enough sleep. Nutrition should be nutritious, walks in the fresh air are beneficial.

Alcohol should be excluded during this period and try not to be in the same room with people who smoke or have a cold. In the early stages, any negative factor can lead to developmental defects in the fetus or jeopardize the continuation of pregnancy.

Without serious indications, you should not take any medications, because the effect of many of them on the child’s development is unpredictable. Sometimes even short-term use of painkillers or antibiotics leads to disruptions in the formation of the fetus and subsequent congenital pathologies, not all of which can be detected antenatally.

Viral diseases such as rubella, chicken pox, and mumps pose a particular risk in the first weeks and months of pregnancy. Therefore, expectant mothers who did not have them in childhood should avoid places of possible infection. You should refrain from visiting friends whose children are sick or have recently suffered from these diseases, and also not attend various public events.

If an expectant mother falls ill with one of the listed ailments in the early stages, doctors recommend that she have an abortion. This is due to the fact that the likelihood of subsequently having a disabled child with anomalies in the development of hearing, vision, limbs or the brain is very high.

The same risk for pregnant women is posed by toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by parasitic bacteria (toxoplasma). You can become infected by eating undercooked meat or poorly washed vegetables.

In a normal state, a person suffers from the disease almost unnoticed, but for pregnant women it is dangerous - it can provoke termination of pregnancy or pathology in the child.

Therefore, if a woman is not sure whether she has previously had toxoplasmosis (you can check this by taking a test for TORCH infections), you need to carefully monitor the quality of the products you eat.

Although the initial signs of pregnancy after menstruation before a woman has a delay are not the most reliable way to determine an “interesting” position, you should listen to your body. If you suspect that conception has occurred, it is better to take care in order to ultimately get the desired result - a healthy baby.

Author: Yana Semich, especially for Mama66.ru

A woman of reproductive age who does not have serious gynecological problems with regular sexual activity has a 1:4 chance of conceiving. Knowing this and starting to plan to have offspring, girls are so carried away by the waiting process (“it worked, it didn’t work”) that they confuse the symptoms of PMS with the first signs of pregnancy. It is especially easy to confuse these conditions if PMS was not clearly pronounced before, but this month the hormones suddenly decided to “rebel.” PMS or pregnancy: what are the differences before the delay - it can really be difficult to determine.

Why does my stomach hurt before my period - reasons

If a woman has no problems with gynecology, she will not experience abdominal pain before the onset of menstruation. Usually pain bothers women with some gynecological diseases. Pain may appear if a woman has contracted a sexually transmitted infection. Often, due to various hormonal imbalances, women begin to complain of abdominal pain before menstruation. This problem is most common among teenage girls, when puberty occurs and the cycle is still forming.

It also happens that there are no problems with infections or gynecological diseases, but the stomach begins to hurt for no reason. Girls and women cannot find the reason why the abdominal area may hurt before menstruation in this case. The reason may be a weakened immune system, lack of vitamins in the body, stress, or a busy work schedule. In this case, it makes sense to drink a general strengthening complex of vitamins and minerals, spend more time in the fresh air, and rest more. Often inflammation of the appendages leads to severe pain before menstruation. Inflammation must be treated, since, if it becomes chronic, it can lead to female infertility.

What is PMS

Rarely lucky women note that the onset of “critical days” goes smoothly for them: before menstruation there is no pulling in the lower abdomen, no rashes appear on the face, the general condition is cheerful and active. Much more often, 3-4 days, or even 10 days before the arrival of the next monthly cycle, a woman experiences ailments:

The chest seems to fill up, swell and hurt so much that it is impossible to touch it. The abdomen increases in volume, it is impossible to retract it, so you have to wear loose clothes. Aching pain occurs periodically. The face is covered in dust, as some people note: on the eve of menstruation, acne appears.

There is little energy, you want to sleep, the woman notices irritability or tearfulness. This is a strong premenstrual syndrome, that is, changes in the body that signal the imminent arrival of menstruation. To one degree or another, its signs are familiar to most women. They are caused by an increase in the concentration of progesterone and prolactin. Regardless of how the cycle ends - menstruation or conception, the body is preparing for pregnancy.

Factors that cause abdominal pain

The female body is influenced by hormonal levels. Can my stomach hurt before my period if my hormonal levels change during the cycle? The answer from experts is clear. Due to hormone surges, discomfort is likely before the onset of menstruation, which is quite explainable by the changing composition of the blood.

But if changes in hormonal levels during the female cycle are considered normal, then other reasons may already be a pathology. Thus, the culprit for pain in the lower abdomen may be the development of an inflammatory process, an infectious disease, or even tumors of various types.

Often a serious illness can manifest itself for a long time only in the form of premenstrual syndrome. Therefore, in order not to miss the onset of a serious illness, if you have constant pain before your period, you should get competent consultation with a doctor.

The lower abdomen may experience pain from a recent abortion. But in this case, the stomach only bothers a few cycles. Then the discomfort should go away. Continuous colic is a reason for examination.

How to determine pregnancy and distinguish it from PMS

Pain in the lower abdomen, discomfort in the chest, drowsiness and lethargy - these are the symptoms of PMS. But something similar is typical for the first days of pregnancy, according to experienced friends.

Signs of PMS and pregnancy: what's the difference? Is it possible, even before the first day of delay, to understand from your feelings that this time there will be no rejection of the egg, because a new life is developing from it?

Before the delay

Any gynecologist will say that subjective sensations before conception, expected according to the calendar, are uninformative. Even a test performed on the eve of the expected first day of menstruation will show a false result, since the concentration of hCG is low for a pregnancy test to detect it. Therefore, distinguishing PMS from pregnancy in the early stages is not always possible. Only if a woman knows her body well will she understand that this time something is going “outside the box.”

It is difficult to distinguish the symptoms, but there is a difference. During gestation there is no premenstrual syndrome, but the body of the expectant mother seems to react to the hormonal changes that have begun.

Symptoms of PMS and pregnancy: differences for comparison in the table

Let's take a look at the table, which contains early nonspecific signs of pregnancy and premenstrual syndrome.

Table 1. Differences between PMS and pregnancy

The occurrence of pain during urination indicates an exacerbation of infectious diseases

As you can see, in the early stages of pregnancy, the first signs resemble PMS. It's easy to confuse them.

Start of menstruation

The first day of the start of a new cycle is characterized by worsening discomfort if a woman suffers from PMS. Symptoms of PMS and pregnancy: there are differences here, but they are also blurred. According to reviews from gynecologists, it is clear: even if a woman begins to have a slight “smear,” this does not always indicate the beginning of her menstrual period.

The following should be on your guard:

• any delay preceding “menstruation” (including 1-2 days);
• severe pain (stomach twists);
• small amount of blood, “spotting” lasting longer than 1 day;
• excessive bleeding;
• dizziness;
• nausea.

These signs may signal that a woman is going through the first days of pregnancy, and PMS has nothing to do with it. A sad scenario cannot be ruled out: the onset of a miscarriage. You need to do a home test and donate blood for hCG. This way the results will be accurate.

Why does the lower abdomen pull like during menstruation?

Pain in the lower abdomen can occur for various reasons, and they do not always mean a deviation from the norm.
Much depends on the time of the cycle at which they appear, the accompanying painful sensations of the phenomenon, and the presence of any diseases. Let's consider the main reasons why the stomach pulls and discomfort is felt. It occurs somewhere between 14 and 16 days before the expected start of the next cycle and manifests itself in different ways. Spotting white discharge, engorged nipples, increased sexual desire - these are all signs of ovulation.

• If the lower abdomen feels tight, as during menstruation, but there is still more than a week before menstruation, most likely this is the body’s reaction to the release of a mature egg.
• If the pain manifests itself as a slight malaise, this is quite natural. Most often, it is not the entire abdomen that hurts, but only one side - the one where the ovary is located, in which ovulation occurs.

Pregnancy

Sometimes during pregnancy, the lower abdomen pulls, as before, during menstruation, but there is no discharge, and the pain is not very pronounced. There is no need to be afraid of this kind of pain: a woman’s uterus is a muscular organ, and muscle strain, which inevitably occurs during pregnancy, cannot be painless.

If the pain is not severe and short-lived, then there is no need to worry, but with acute or long-lasting pain, it is better to immediately consult a doctor to rule out the possibility of termination of pregnancy.

In the early stages of pregnancy, various complications are possible, including due to hormonal fluctuations. If your lower abdomen feels tight and you don’t have your period, you need to take a pregnancy test, or even better, go for a consultation with a gynecologist and get tested for hCG.

If the test or analysis is positive, then, most likely, nagging pain is a sign of hormonal imbalance and there is a threat of pregnancy failure. If nagging pain is accompanied by brown or bloody discharge, then hospitalization should take place immediately - there is a risk of miscarriage.

It also happens that there is no discharge and the test gave a negative result, but the pain continues and there are no periods. In this case, you should take an hCG test as quickly as possible, and if it shows a positive answer, then most likely the pregnancy is ectopic.

Gynecological diseases

If pregnancy and malaise due to ovulation are excluded, and the lower abdomen is tight enough and the pain does not go away within 1-2 days, a gynecological disease can be suspected. For diagnosis, you will also need to take into account the following factors:

• Is there any discharge from the vagina - it can be brown, brown, gray, bloody; with or without a strong unpleasant odor.
• Is your body temperature elevated?
• Is the pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting?
• Is there a burning sensation in the vagina, discomfort during urination and sexual intercourse.

Depending on the presence of symptoms accompanying the pain, the gynecologist will be able to make a diagnosis. These may be inflammatory processes of the genital organs, cystitis, sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, syphilis, and so on). In this case, inflammation manifests itself in elevated temperature, wandering pains in different sides of the abdomen, and not just below. And STDs always cause a burning sensation in the vagina, abnormal discharge, itching and pain during urination or sexual intercourse.

Perhaps the disease has nothing to do with gynecology - it could be intestinal diseases (especially if there is nausea and vomiting). If the pain intensifies, sometimes worsens, appendicitis should be excluded.

After sex

A nagging pain in the lower abdomen may occur after sex. There is no need to be afraid of this phenomenon; it is regarded as a variant of the norm. Any sexual intercourse is a small injury to the vaginal mucosa, and sometimes, especially after violent sex, these injuries are stronger than usual.

An aching, nagging pain occurs, and perhaps even the appearance of brown spotting discharge, which appears if the integrity of the mucous membrane has been compromised (this is coagulated blood). There is no point in raising the alarm because of such pain, except maybe be a little more careful next time.

So, most cases when a woman has pain in the lower abdomen requires consultation with a gynecologist, and possibly subsequent treatment. If the pain does not subside or worsens, then you should immediately go to the doctor.

How not to miss the first signs of pregnancy after 45 years

With age, the signs of PMS may become more pronounced if a woman often suffers from them. The slow decline of ovarian function after 45 years often occurs unevenly, with bursts, which causes an exacerbation of PMS. The differences between PMS and the first signs of pregnancy for “age” expectant mothers are determined in the same way as for young ones. But they need to be more attentive to themselves so as not to confuse the first “bells” of the approaching menopause (delayed menstruation, scanty discharge) and pregnancy in the early stages. Conception is still possible, because ovulation, although not every month, occurs while there is a small supply of antral follicles.

Attention! Do not delay visiting the doctor in case of any ailments.

Useful tips

Based on the fact that the manifestations of premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy in the early stages are very similar, it will be easier for a woman to find out the truth if she takes measures in advance to reduce the manifestations of PMS (she cannot influence the “pregnant” sensations).

Here is a list of recommendations for women who suffer from PMS and are afraid that they will not be able to distinguish the syndrome from pregnancy:

• during the pregnancy planning cycle, avoid stress, if necessary, take mild herbal sedatives, for example, motherwort;
• do not perform labor feats at work, do not overexert yourself, devote enough time to sleep at night, since night sleep is important for the normal production of many hormones of the human body;
• move more, go hiking, swimming, cycling;
• after ovulation, do not eat large amounts of carbohydrates, sugar, animal fat, salt; in the first and second half of the cycle, you need to strictly limit the amount of coffee, strong tea, chocolate, alcohol;
• if necessary, in the second half of the cycle, as prescribed by a doctor, you can take progesterone drugs - they not only maintain the level of this hormone at normal levels, but also reduce the manifestations of PMS (but you cannot take such drugs on your own; this must be prescribed by a doctor).

According to women, the first signs of pregnancy are often perceived as PMS, and vice versa. Most often, the day on which menstruation should begin helps to accurately distinguish between the conditions. During pregnancy, the symptoms do not weaken or decrease either on this date or after it. The most successful cycles were those in which the woman relaxed, stopped looking for differences and was nervous about it.

medical reviewer, psychosomatics specialist, mother of 4 children

Does PMS happen during pregnancy?

The question of whether PMS occurs during pregnancy worries many expectant mothers. They are surprised about.

In fact, these are fundamentally different conditions, the manifestations are simply similar, since at the end of the cycle and during the consolidation of the fetus, the body experiences the powerful influence of the same “female” hormones. So, for example, if your lower back hurts, is it PMS or pregnancy? No doctor will give an exact answer without a blood test for hCG.

Symptoms of early pregnancy

The signs of PMS are very similar to the signs of pregnancy. After successful conception, the level of progesterone, a hormone necessary to maintain pregnancy, increases in the female body. An increase in its level is also a hormonal imbalance. But the signs of pregnancy are slightly different from PMS. Here they are:

1. Swelling and tenderness of the breast.
2. Mood swings.
3. Fatigue and irritability.
4. Morning sickness and vomiting.
5. Change in food tastes. This refers to a craving for salty foods as the most common folk sign of the onset of an interesting situation. Less often, during pregnancy, women crave sweets.
6. Frequent urination. Frequent urination usually worries expectant mothers at the beginning of pregnancy and at the end. In the early stages, this is due to changing metabolism. The kidneys activate their work as they already remove waste from two organisms.

PMS and pregnancy: what should be the tactics

Did you get pregnant or not? How to understand this? First of all, you need to calm down and analyze your condition. No usual PMS symptoms? Is your chest calm, your mood even, and your stomach doesn’t hurt? If this is accompanied by a slight delay, this is a reason to do a home test.

And vice versa, if PMS has never tormented you, but this time it suddenly manifests itself acutely, you should play it safe by buying a pregnancy test.

But the most accurate method today is considered to be the method of determining human chorionic gonadotropin in the blood or, in simple words, a blood test for hCG. With its help, you can diagnose pregnancy with one hundred percent probability. But it’s better to do this on the first day of the delay, not earlier - this way the result will not let you down.

Current video