Period FAQs

is it my period or am i pregnant

by Mara Kilback Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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No. You can't have your menstrual period while you're pregnant. Some women do have vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Some even report intermittent bleeding that seems like a regular period to them. But vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is not the same thing as menstruation.

Pregnancy-specific symptoms
“The key difference between the two, however, is that with pregnancy, your period doesn't occur.” Nausea is also a symptom that can accompany pregnancy and is often not experienced with PMS. “The nausea in early pregnancy often resolves after the 12th week of gestation, “Giles said.
Jun 16, 2021

Full Answer

Are they signs your period is coming or pregnancy?

The most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy might include: Missed period. If you're in your childbearing years and a week or more has passed without the start of an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. However, this symptom can be misleading if you have an irregular menstrual cycle. Tender, swollen breasts.

Can You Still Have Your period and be pregnant?

Since your womb lining is not being discarded at the end of each month, you no longer have a period. This is why one of the early signs of pregnancy is a missed period. Although you can't have your period and be pregnant, bleeding while expecting—especially in the first trimester—is not uncommon.

Does being on your period affect a pregnancy test?

You can take a pregnancy test while bleeding or seemingly on your period, because any blood that mixes with your urine will not affect the results of the test. (However, keep in mind that ...

What are signs that your period is coming?

What are the symptoms and signs of period coming soon?

  1. Abdominal cramps. Abdomen cramps, which is experienced by a lot of women before their period starts, is a sign your period is coming soon.
  2. Change of mood. Are you experiencing a change in your behavior before your period? ...
  3. Acne on face. ...
  4. Breast pain and swelling. ...
  5. Abdominal bloating, gas and pain. ...
  6. Headache. ...
  7. Sleepless nights before period. ...
  8. Fatigue
  9. Food cravings

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What is the difference between period and pregnancy?

The main difference between period and pregnancy symptoms is the hormones that cause them . While period symptoms are caused by fluctuating levels of progesterone and estrogen, pregnancy symptoms are caused by the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). HCG hormone stimulates the ovaries to continue producing estrogen and progesterone, ...

What are the symptoms of a missed period?

Early pregnancy symptoms before missed period flows include: Implantation bleeding (spotting) and cramps. These symptoms occur as the zygote attaches to the uterine wall. When implantation occurs, blood vessels in the uterine wall are often ruptured, causing the bleeding.

How long does it take for a zygote to become a blastocyst?

This is referred to as implantation and marks the beginning of a pregnancy – this typically occurs 6 – 12 days after ovulation. After implantation, the zygote is referred to as a blastocyst.

Why are early pregnancy symptoms easy to miss?

Early Pregnancy Symptoms. Many early pregnancy symptoms are easy to miss because they mimic period symptoms rather closely. For this reason, it is important to note that experiencing some of these symptoms does not necessarily indicate a pregnancy.

How does HCG affect pregnancy?

HCG hormone stimulates the ovaries to continue producing estrogen and progesterone, and prevents the release of any additional eggs. It first begins to show in a woman’s blood and urine a few days after implantation. A woman will not have a positive pregnancy test before this hormone is present in high enough levels.

How long does it take for a woman to feel tender after conception?

Progesterone helps maintain the pregnancy, and contributes to the growth of the breast’s milk-producing glands. These symptoms can be noticed as early as one week after conception. Breast tenderness. Similar to period symptoms, the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy can make the breasts tender and painful.

What happens when an egg is released from the ovaries?

Each time a woman ovulates, the most mature egg is released. This egg travels down one of the fallopian tubes toward the uterus. Before the egg reaches the uterus, the uterine lining (also known as the endometrium) thickens with blood and spongy tissue in order to prepare for the potential attachment of a fertilized egg.

How long after a missed period can you feel pregnant?

As stated above, some women can sense that they're pregnant before a missed period due to some early symptoms, usually 1-2 weeks following the missed period (or 5-6 weeks gestational age.) Those symptoms are usually pregnancy fatigue, constipation, increase in breast size and sensitivity, and frequent urination.

How Do I Know if I Am Pregnant?

The only way to know for sure if you are pregnant would be to get a positive pregnancy test, whether it be a home pregnancy test or a blood test. Symptoms may show up prior to taking a test, but they could be a sign of impending menstruation, so it's best to wait and see if you miss your period.

When Do Pregnancy Symptoms Start?

"Usually 1-2 weeks following the missed period," says Dr. Trolice. "This is 5-6 weeks estimated gestational age."

How Much Are Pregnancy Tests?

There are tests at the dollar stores for (you guessed it) a dollar, or you could buy one test at a superstore or grocery store for $3-$4. Some tests come in packs of twos or threes and can range from $10-$15.

How to tell if you have PMS?

Here are some early pregnancy symptoms that are different from signs of PMS: 1 Menstrual bleeding is heavier than pregnancy-related spotting. 2 Fatigue from PMS usually goes away, for the most part, once the bleeding starts. 3 Nausea is a common pregnancy symptom, but not so much with PMS. 4 Food cravings or aversions are more intense with pregnancy. 5 Cramps can be intense before menstruation but are milder in the early stages of pregnancy.

What to do if you get a positive pregnancy test?

If you get a positive result on the test (s), you're pregnant! Your next step is to contact your healthcare provider and set up your first prenatal appointment. It's so important to make sure that you and your baby get the best possible care during this pregnancy.

When is the best time to take a pregnancy test?

The absolute best time to take any pregnancy test is a few days after a missed period. This is when the hormone hCG, the pregnancy hormone produced by the growing balls of cells if there is indeed a pregnancy, is most easily detected by home pregnancy tests.

Are Home Pregnancy Tests A Foolproof Indicator Of Pregnancy

My period started 2 weeks ago when I started birth control. I’m still bleeding. Am I pregnant?

How Long Should You Wait To Take A Home Pregnancy Test

Early pregnancy symptoms show up weeks before your period, but an average waiting period of two weeks is recommended from the date of ovulation, to take a home pregnancy test. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is a placenta-produced hormone that enters the urine, once an embryo is implanted in the uterus.

What Is The 2

The “2-week wait” is a term that has been used to describe the time interval between ovulation and implantation, or the approximate point at which a pregnancy test will yield a definitive answer. Many tests available on the market today are able to determine if you are pregnant, even before the date of the expected menstrual period.

Similar Symptoms Of Period And Pregnancy

Before your period is coming, you may have tender or swollen breasts, you may experience headache, fatigue, constipation, acne. All these signs happen to be same or similar to those early pregnancy symptoms.

Sore Tender And Heavy Breasts

Sore, tender, heavy breasts or darker areolas are noticeable pregnancy symptoms, a week before missed period. With rising oestrogen levels after conception, women feel sore, full, and experience acute pain in the breasts. Nipples begin to look darker and feel itchy, tingly or prickly.

Come For A Pregnancy Test

If you would rather not wait anylonger to find out if you are pregnant, makean appointment to come see us atPregnancy Care Clinic for a no-cost pregnancy test.

When Should I Test

Home pregnancy tests can be very accurate , especially if you wait to test until after your period is officially late. Some tests claim to accurately detect pregnancy up to a week before your missed period, so if you’re experiencing some pregnancy symptoms and are champing at the bit, go for it.

How do you know if you're pregnant and you're getting your period?

Signs that indicate the arrival of the period include abdominal or pelvic pain or cramp. Some pregnant women will also experience cramping in early pregnancy which may then need medical attention.

How to confirm pregnancy when period is due?

Hence, the best way to confirm is to carry out a pregnancy test when your period is due. Try to do it in the morning after you wake up and do not take any fluid before that to ensure accuracy.

What are the symptoms of a period?

In summary, similar symptoms of pregnancy and period are tender breast, headache, bloating, constipation, fatigue, morning sickness or cramp. Different signs include backache which is a sign of period. Spotting and frequent urination are symptoms of pregnancy.

What to do if pregnant woman sees spotting?

If pregnant women see spotting and is confirmed pregnant through home pregnant test, they should call the doctors immediately for help.

Why do pregnant women urinate?

During pregnancy, there is a considerable increase in blood volume so a lot of fluid is processed through kidney which is eventually sent to the bladder. This may cause pregnant women to urinate more than often. In the early pregnancy, this symptom may not be obvious to many pregnant women.

Why is my period delayed?

Answer: Other than stress, other things also can delay your period such as sudden weight gain or loss, travel and over-exercising. Your stress may just cause the period to be delayed by a few days although it is possible that you may be pregnant.

Can you test for pregnancy at home?

Many people notice the pregnancy symptom such as light cramp, spotting when their periods are supposed to come, but the only way to confirm pregnancy at home is do a pregnancy test when period is due. At the moment, there is nothing you can do other than waiting for a pregnancy test. Meanwhile, try to relax as much as possible so as to not cause period to delay further.

What causes nausea during pregnancy?

What about nausea? This symptom is typically attributed to hCG, the pregnancy hormone, but it can be caused by other things, too (including PMS).

When does progesterone start to release?

Pregnant or not, your body starts releasing progesterone after you ovulate. This hormone keeps getting released and is at its highest point around five to seven days after ovulation. If a woman is pregnant, her body continues to produce progesterone in high amounts to help sustain the pregnancy. If she’s not pregnant, her progesterone levels decrease, and she’ll start her menstrual period.

Can you know if you're pregnant without a blood test?

The bottom line is that without a blood test, it’s nearly impossible to know for sure whether you’re pregnant or experiencing a late period. Even home pregnancy tests can sometimes give a false negative, if taken too early, so it’s really smart to wait to take a test until or after your expected period.

Can you have a period and a pregnancy?

Thanks also to progesterone, the symptoms of early pregnancy and your period are nearly identical. Cramps, fatigue, dizziness, breast tenderness – all early signs of pregnancy, but also possible signs of your period coming.

Why would I have a late period?

Having a late menstrual period is among the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy. Other early pregnancy signs include breast tenderness, nausea, fatigue, and frequent urination.

Is it possible to get pregnant if you answer yes to all questions?

If you answered "yes" to all questions, there is a high chance that you are pregnant. But only a positive pregnancy test will confirm your suspicion.

Can you tell if you missed your period?

If you are trying to get pregnant and you miss a period, you are naturally excited, yet there is no way to know for sure until you take a pregnancy test. However, there are several symptoms that are suggestive of pregnancy, including breast tenderness, nausea, and bloating. Keep in mind, these can also be premenstrual signs.

What is the difference between PMS and pregnancy?

Differences between PMS vs. pregnancy signs and symptoms. Bleeding or spotting: Mild spotting (not enough bleeding to soak a pad or tampon) sometimes occurs around the time of implantation of the embryo into the uterus in early pregnancy. This is known as implantation bleeding.

Why does my period start every 28 days?

Your period starts when the lining of the uterus sheds (approximately every 28 days) because pregnancy did not occur. Your menstrual period is due to the normal variation in levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, known as the menstrual cycle.

What symptoms and signs are unique to pregnancy?

Certain symptoms are more characteristic of early pregnancy and are less likely to occur due to an impending menstrual period or PMS.

What are the symptoms of food cravings during pregnancy?

Food cravings/aversions: Many women experience food cravings or increased appetite prior to the onset of her period. Food cravings and aversions also are typical of pregnancy, although the food cravings of pregnancy are often more specific and intense than during PMS or prior to menstruation. Nausea and or vomiting: Nausea ...

Where does ectopic pregnancy occur?

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy located outside the inner lining of the uterus. The majority of ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tube. Signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy may include abdominal pain, lack of menstrual period (amenorrhea), vaginal bleeding, fainting, dizziness, and low blood pressure.

Why is it important to plan for a pregnancy?

Planning for a pregnancy includes taking prenatal vitamins, eating healthy for you and your baby, disease prevention (for both parents and baby) to prevent birth defects and infections, avoiding certain medications that may be harmful to your baby, how much weight gain is healthy exercise safety and pregnancy, travel during pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of early pregnancy?

The most common signs and symptoms of early pregnancy, PMS, and the start of your period include mood swings, back pain, increased urination, and tender breasts. These three conditions also share other similar signs and symptoms, but there are unique differences between each. Moreover, there are symptoms that only occur if you are pregnant.

How long before your period can you test for pregnancy?

You don’t even need to wait until you miss your period before testing as the Clearblue® Early Detection Pregnancy Test can be used up to 6 days before you miss your period 1. Some women might notice one or two symptoms in the earliest stages of pregnancy.

How to be sure if you are pregnant?

One way to be sure is to take a pregnancy test.

How early can you detect pregnancy hormone?

Provides early detection of the pregnancy hormone. 71% of pregnancies can be detected 6 days before the missed period (5 days before the expected period).

How many healthy couples get pregnant in the first month of trying 2.?

Just over one-third of healthy couples will get pregnant in the first month of trying 2.

What is the earliest physical sign of pregnancy?

For many women, a late period is often the earliest physical sign of pregnancy.

When do you start feeling sick during pregnancy?

You could start feeling sick, and even vomit, between the 2nd to the 8th week of pregnancy. This usually passes by the 16th week. Although this is often called 'morning sickness' it can happen at any time of the day or night – and can even affect you all the time.

Can you get pregnant with Clearblue?

Based on your answers, there is a chance you might be pregnant. Find out for sure by taking a Clearblue® Pregnancy Test as soon as possible. Some symptoms might be for reasons other than pregnancy – if you are concerned, speak to your doctor.

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