On this page 4 sections
Quick answer
PMS and early pregnancy share most symptoms, including sore breasts, tiredness, bloating, mood changes and mild cramps, because progesterone drives both. Nausea and a period that does not arrive point more towards pregnancy, but symptoms alone can’t tell. A pregnancy test from the first day of a missed period gives the answer.
- PMS and early pregnancy share most symptoms, because progesterone drives both.
- Nausea and a period that doesn’t arrive point more towards pregnancy, but only a test can tell.
- Most tests work from the first day of a missed period, or 21 days after unprotected sex.
Early pregnancy and PMS share many symptoms: sore breasts, tiredness, bloating, mood changes and mild cramps. That is because both are driven by progesterone. The honest answer is that symptoms can’t tell you which it is. A missed period and a pregnancy test can.
Which symptoms overlap between PMS and early pregnancy?
| Symptom | PMS | Early pregnancy |
|---|---|---|
| Sore or swollen breasts | Common | Common |
| Tiredness | Common | Common |
| Bloating and mild cramps | Common | Common |
| Mood changes | Common | Common |
| Nausea or vomiting | Uncommon | Common, often from around week 4 to 6 |
| Light spotting | Sometimes, just before the period | Sometimes (implantation bleeding) |
| Symptoms ease once bleeding starts | Yes | No period arrives |
When can I find out for sure?
Most home pregnancy tests are reliable from the first day of your missed period. If your cycles are irregular, test 21 days after the last time you had unprotected sex. A free calculator can work out a sensible date for you.
Sources
Written by the Splash teamSources checked
This is general information, not medical advice. Splash can’t diagnose. If you’re worried, talk to a GP, pharmacist or sexual health clinic. In an emergency call 999 (UK) or 911 (US). How we write and check articles.