Difference Between Period and Pregnancy Symptoms

Period and pregnancy symptoms can share common indications that cannot be identified and can confuse one. They can also depend on the nature of an individual.

The difference between a period and pregnancy symptoms is one of the most asked questions in the parenting forum. It is difficult to tell the difference between the signs of periods and pregnancy symptoms.

Period vs Pregnancy Symptoms

The main difference between Period and Pregnancy Symptoms is that the period or menstruation is a condition that happens every 28 days after reaching puberty, whereas pregnancy symptoms happen when there is the fertilization of the egg with the sperm.

The period is a state that happens to women after they reach puberty till menopause, and this happens after every 28 days on average. It is the outflow of the endometrium with the blood. There are some symptoms that may and may not happen to every woman.

Pregnancy happens when an embryo or fetus grows inside the womb of a woman. Early-stage pregnancy can have many symptoms. The female body gets effect in many ways, physically and mentally.

Comparison Table Between Period and Pregnancy Symptoms

Parameters of comparisonPeriod SymptomsPregnancy Symptoms
Food cravingsOne might crave something sweet or savory. The cravings can be controlled.One might crave anything from pickles to anything. The cravings cannot be controlled.
CrampsCramps may be intense with back or foot pain.Cramps may be mild and can occur in the abdomen area with lower back pain.
Acne/pimplesThey appear before the menstrual cycle.During pregnancy, acne/pimples can stay for a longer time.
Mood swingsThey are very common.They last for a longer time.
Nausea/vomitingNo, there is no nausea or vomiting.Morning nausea is a symptom of about 855 pregnant women.
Vaginal bleedingBleeding may occur up to 10 days, depending on the woman.Bleeding may or may not occur for the women.  
Darkening of nipplesNo darkening of nipples happens.There can be more accumulation of melanin that can cause darkening of the nipples.

What is Period Symptoms?

Period or menstruation is the outflow of the endometrium layer with bleeding after the egg has died. The layer of the endometrium is prepared to shelter the egg if it is fertilized.

The period lasts a few days before in women. It occurs monthly from puberty to menopause on an average of 28 days.

The difference in the length may happen differently because of hereditary or individual characteristics. 

There are some symptoms that can happen in women when a period a coming, like abdominal cramps, muscle pain, headaches, etc. Some women may also get acne before menstruation.

Apart from the physical symptoms, there may be some emotional changes as well, like anxiety, depression, mood swings, and many more. Some women may also have sleeping disorders.

There is a fluctuation of the hormone levels in women.

On average, a woman loses 50-100 ml of blood from the body. The menstrual blood has a red-brown color to it.

Menstruation is a process that occurs with many symptoms. Other symptoms may occur during the periods.

What is Pregnancy Symptoms?

Pregnancy happens when an embryo or fetus grows inside the womb of a woman.

The term embryo is used to describe a living being who has been developing for 8 weeks, and it is called fetus when that being has developed for 9 weeks.

The birth of the new being happens after about 38 weeks of conception or after 40 weeks after the last menstruation.

Pregnancy symptoms are sometimes associated with delayed or missed periods or menstruation. But when pregnant, there are many symptoms that the women have in pregnancy and not in menstrual cycles.

After the fertilization of the egg with the sperm, there are changes that happen in the physical and emotional state of the women.

One of the notable early symptoms of pregnancy is morning sickness, and it can last up to nine months depending on woman to woman. There are some other symptoms that happen in women, like lower back pain, headaches, tiredness, increased urination, and many more. There can also be cravings for different foods like dark chocolates or dairy products, or sweet and sour foods. Also, women found darkening around the nipples. Mood swings are common in pregnancy.

Main Differences Between Period and Pregnancy Symptoms

  • Tiredness can be a symptom of periods, whereas if one is feeling extremely tired and wants to sleep the entire day, then it could be a sign of pregnancy.
  • The period has a feeling of weakness or dizziness because of hormone fluctuation, whereas pregnancy can have a feeling of weakness, dizziness, or fatigue due to hormonal fluctuation and changes in the blood flow.
  • Only some women experience a little swelling or sensitivity in the breasts during periods, whereas during early pregnancy, swollen, painful, and sensitive breasts occur for months.
  • There is no nausea or vomiting during periods, whereas during pregnancy, women get this feeling for up to 8 weeks after conceiving the baby.
  • The bleeding lasts up to 7 or 8 days depending upon the woman, and she can lose up to 50-100 ml of blood on average, whereas during pregnancy, some women bleed pink or brownish color for up to 4 days.
  • During the period, no darkening of nipples happens, whereas pregnancy can cause more accumulation of melanin in the nipples, causing the darkening of nipples.
  • Conclusion

    There may be some conditions and symptoms that may be present in periods and pregnancy that may confuse a person, and it may not be easy for a woman to tell the difference between the early menstruation symptoms or the early pregnancy symptoms.

    The intensity of the symptoms depends on women and on external factors like food or stress.

    Both can lead to emotional, physical, and physiological changes in a woman, which may lead to various changes in her.

    References

  • https://academic.oup.com/ntr/article-abstract/10/11/1609/1515575
  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032798001876
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