Is it your period or are you pregnant?
Worrying about pregnancy is a very common situation – and with all of the sudden changes it can cause, it can be a stressful one, too. Every month, many women grapple with a single life-altering worry:
"Is it your period, or are you pregnant?"
Below, we will explore some potential symptoms of periods and the early signs of pregnancy. Read on to ease some of the concerns you are feeling, or ensure you have all the information you need to seek help.
Is it your period or are you pregnant?
When the egg implants in the side of the womb, you can expect to see a small amount of blood exit the cervical outlet. This may result in "spotting," noticeable on underwear or menstrual products.
It is important to note that there are several differences between this type of bleeding and normal period blood.
Quantity. The volume of period blood expelled usually measures a few teaspoons, varying from person to person. Spotting will instead only appear to be a few small blood spots.
Color. Menstrual blood typically appears red and may sometimes contain clots or dark strings. Spotting can exhibit a lighter or darker hue, however, and may have a distinct texture or odor.
Itching or redness. It is common for some women to experience redness or itching. This is due to a protective vaginal discharge that occurs during spotting, which can irritate the vulva.
Irregular or short-term bleeding. Your period will tend to last between 4-7 days on average, although, again, women may have a range of experiences. Spotting will often last a shorter time, and may even stop and start again on different days.
Unusual fatigue vs. simply feeling tired
If you start to feel an excess of tiredness, beyond your normal level of fatigue, this may be due to a hormonal change. This feeling of exhaustion will be more overwhelming than a normal bout of tiredness, usually felt during the menstrual cycle.
Another sign that the tiredness is unrelated to a period is if it continues long past when you usually get menstrual symptoms.
Nausea and vomiting as pregnancy symptoms
"Morning sickness" is a very common and visible side-effect of pregnancy and as such is the one most often depicted in media. Be aware, though, that it need not only occur in the morning. It can also vary in intensity depending on both the pregnancy and the person.
These symptoms will often start around the sixth week of the pregnancy, although they can begin earlier. Use this to determine whether the date lines up with a potential conception. Also, check to see if there are any other possible reasons for this, such as a change in diet or behavior.
Notable breast and areola changes
Early in the pregnancy, many women start to notice their breasts begin to get more tender. The breasts may also start to swell to prepare for the possibility of feeding a child.
Around the same time, the areola may darken. These are the small, colored areas of skin that tend to encircle the nipple.
Both of these symptoms rarely occur during the normal menstrual cycle, and as such are a good indicator of a change occurring in the body.
More frequent urination
At around six weeks pregnant, a person may find that they need to urinate more. This is due to hormonal changes as well as an increase in blood volume, which can put pressure on the bladder.
New food cravings or aversions
Developing a sudden craving for specific foods is sometimes a sign of pregnancy. A person may also feel averse, or even nauseated by, specific foods they usually enjoy. This is more likely to be a sign if it is unlinked to the menstrual cycle and a person rarely otherwise has such cravings.
High temperature for three weeks
If a person tends to track their body temperature, they have access to an extra potential sign that they may be pregnant. As the body prepares to ovulate, a person's resting (basal) body temperature will increase by around half a degree Fahrenheit.
If the person's menstrual cycle ends, this will tend to drop again, though if they become pregnant it will remain high. A higher temperature for around 18 days or more is often considered a sign a person is likely to be pregnant.
Missed period as a common first sign
For many women, a missed period may be the first hint that they are pregnant. This may seem obvious, but we list it here because many of the other signs are also similar to, but distinct from period symptoms.
As such, if you notice any of the above signs, check your tracking app or try to remember when your last period occurred. It could be the catalyst that puts everything else in perspective.
The obvious one: positive pregnancy test
If you want a clear indicator of whether you are pregnant, you can always take an over-the-counter test. These may not always be accurate, for example, if you are taking medication to help you ovulate. As such, you may want to receive a check-up from your preferred healthcare specialist instead.
Regardless of what you learn, you may want to find more resources. Several sources exist online for many different situations.
What next after discovering you may be pregnant?
Answering the question, "Is it your period or are you pregnant?" is only the first step. If you turn out to be pregnant, contact your healthcare provider and discuss the situation with them for the sake of your health.
We understand these situations can be frightening. This is why we want to help people understand how to recognize such changes in their bodies.
