PMS or pregnancy: differences before early delay

A woman who is of reproductive age and does not have serious problems in the field of gynecology, with regular sexual activity, has a ratio of 1:4. Knowing this and starting to plan the acquisition of offspring, the girls are so addicted to the waiting process (“it worked out - it didn’t work out”) that they confuse the symptoms of PMS with the first signs of pregnancy. It is especially easy to confuse these conditions if earlier PMS was not pronounced, and 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.

What is premenstrual syndrome and its causes
Is it possible to get pregnant with PMS
The difference between early signs of pregnancy and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
Differences before delay
Comparison of symptoms of PMS and pregnancy in the table
Signs before the start of the cycle
Can there be premenstrual syndrome during gestation
How to understand if conception has occurred

What is PMS

Rare lucky women note that the onset of “critical days” goes smoothly for them: before menstruation, the lower abdomen does not pull, there is no appearance of rashes on the face, the general condition is cheerful and active. Much more often, 3-4 days, or even 10 days before the next monthly cycle, a woman experiences ailments:

sore chest;
there is bloating;
pulls the lower back;

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, you have to wear loose clothing. Periodically there are aching pains. Sprinkled on the face, as some say: on the eve of menstruation, acne appears.

There is little energy, I want to sleep, a woman notices irritability or tearfulness. This is a strong premenstrual syndrome, that is, changes in the body that signal the imminent arrival of menstruation. In one way or another, its signs are familiar to most women. They are due to an increase in the concentration of progesterone and. Regardless of how the cycle ends - menstruation or conception, the body.

Can you get pregnant with PMS

Premenstrual syndrome is not an obstacle to normal conception. It’s just that for some, the hormonal system functions more clearly and “smoothly” and the pain threshold is high; others react more sensitively to changes in the ratio of hormones in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Therefore, fluctuations in the hormonal background are manifested in them by such unpleasant sensations, a sharp change in mood, the appearance of edema and an increase in appetite.

How to determine pregnancy and distinguish from PMS

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

PMS Signs and Pregnancy: What's the Difference? Is it possible even before the first day of the delay to understand by your feelings that this time there will be no rejection of the egg, because a new life develops from it?

Until 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 in order to be determined by a pregnancy test. Therefore, the difference between PMS and early pregnancy is not always possible. Only if a woman knows her body well, she will understand that this time something is going “outside the box”.

Distinguishing the symptoms is difficult, 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 a table that collects early non-specific signs of pregnancy and premenstrual syndrome.

Table 1. Differences between PMS and pregnancy

sign	PMS	Pregnancy	Notes
Allocations	Often become plentiful, transparent or light. On the last day (or hours) before menstruation, they become brown, smearing	Abundant, light. Occasionally 2-3 days before menstruation on the pad - 1-2 drops of blood. This is implantation bleeding, which disappears in a couple of hours and does not significantly affect well-being.	Sometimes - this happens with both PMS and pregnancy
Temperature	Normal	Body temperature may be slightly elevated	An increase in body temperature during pregnancy is associated with rising levels of progesterone. The hormone is synthesized. A woman may have a slight fever, there are symptoms similar to a mild cold due to a restructuring of the immune system
Pulls the stomach	Pain in the abdomen, lumbar region, perineum 2-3 days before menstruation	The phenomenon is caused by the attachment of the embryo to the wall of the uterus, stretching of the ligamentous apparatus of the uterus	Pain worse with PMS
Chest hurts	Pain in the entire breast	Sore nipples, mammary glands increase in volume	Sometimes there is no pain as a sign of implantation. The chest remains calm, which surprises a woman who is used to soreness on the eve of "critical days"
Nausea	It is observed at any time of the day due to hormonal surges and associated pressure drops	May occur in the morning	In the first days of pregnancy - a rare occurrence. But on
Frequent urination	Not typical for PMS	Occurs due to fluctuating hormone levels	Sometimes during PMS, on the contrary, there is fluid retention - slight swelling is observed The occurrence indicates an exacerbation of infectious diseases
	Drowsiness, irritability	Lethargy, drowsiness is more pronounced. Severe fatigue after a working day to the point that you want to sleep immediately after returning home.	In both cases, it is possible
Change in taste preferences	There is no or increased craving for sweets. Appetite is growing	Before the MC delay, there is a desire to eat salted or pickled foods: salted dried fish, cucumbers, etc.	During pregnancy, this symptom is present, but the woman does not always independently identify it. Usually close relatives or colleagues pay attention to this.
stool retention	Before the delay, under the influence of progesterone, the smooth muscles of the intestine relax. Therefore, the end of the cycle is characterized by a problem with bowel movements.	The stool retention is aggravated after the expected day of the start of a new cycle, since progesterone "does not fall"	Before the onset of monthly bleeding, the level of the hormone drops sharply and there is an increased bowel movement.
Frequent urination	With a decrease in the level of prolactin before the onset of menstruation, the body stops accumulating fluid, and the accumulated fluid begins to be excreted	The edematous syndrome persists, but the urge to urinate becomes frequent due to increased blood supply to the pelvic organs

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

The beginning of menstruation

The first day of the start of a new cycle is characterized by an aggravation of discomfort if a woman suffers from PMS. Symptoms of PMS and pregnancy: there are differences here, but they are also blurred. According to the reviews of gynecologists, it is clear: even if a woman has a weak “daub”, this does not always indicate the beginning of critical days.

The following should be of concern:

any delay preceding the "menstruation" (including 1-2 days);
severe pain (“twisting” the stomach);
a small amount of blood, a "daub" that lasts 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 is also possible: the onset of a miscarriage. You need to do a home test and pass. So the results will be accurate.

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 has often suffered from them. The slow fading of ovarian function after 45 years often proceeds 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 upcoming menopause (delayed menstruation, poor discharge) and early pregnancy. Conception is still possible, because ovulation, although not every month, occurs while there is a small supply of antral follicles.

Attention! Do not delay a visit to the doctor for any ailments.

The question of whether PMS occurs during pregnancy worries many expectant mothers. They note with surprise: “I thought it was premenstrual syndrome, it turned out to be pregnancy.”

In fact, these are fundamentally different states, just the manifestations are similar, because at the end of the cycle and when the fetus is fixed, the body experiences a powerful effect 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.

PMS and pregnancy: what should be the tactics

Did you get pregnant or not? How to understand it? First of all, you need to calm down and analyze your condition. No familiar PMS symptoms? The chest is calm, the mood is even, the stomach does not hurt? If this is combined with a slight delay, this is an occasion to do a home test.

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

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

In most women, 10 days before the onset of menstruation, signs of premenstrual syndrome begin to appear. This is a period not only of poor health, but also of shattered nerves. What are the symptoms of PMS in women?

Starting from the 21st day of the cycle and ending with the beginning of menstruation, significant changes occur in the woman's body. The term PMS was coined by the English gynecologist Robert Frank. The behavior of women a week before the onset of critical days has been of interest to physicians for a long time. The facts were compared, for how many days the symptoms of PMS began to manifest themselves.

Premenstrual syndrome is not only a period of headache, pulling sensations in the abdomen, but also a time of unstable psychological and emotional background. It is during PMS that the most cases of traffic accidents occur with the participation of women, the representatives of the weaker sex are prone to excessive purchases during this period.

The causes of the syndrome have not yet been established. Some experts are inclined to believe that this is the body's reaction to a surge of hormones. Others believe that this is an allergic reaction of the body to changes in the hormonal background. But both opinions are based on the fact that PMS is associated with hormones.

For the normal functioning of the female body, the correct hormonal background is very important. In the second phase of the cycle, it begins to fluctuate, which leads to failures in all systems.

The main signs of PMS

How many days before menstruation PMS symptoms begin to bother women depends on the individual characteristics of the body. On average, they begin to appear 10 days before menstruation. The main symptoms are as follows.

Weight gain

Almost all women notice weight gain before the onset of menstruation. This is due to the imbalance of estrogen and progesterone in the body. Fluid begins to linger, bloating, swelling appear. After the end of the menstrual cycle, all symptoms disappear.

You can also get better during PMS due to the fact that at this moment your appetite is very high. A woman begins to eat more, as her blood glucose levels decrease.

Tearfulness, irritability, aggressiveness

These signs appear in women due to a weak psychological background, which thus reacts to hormonal disruptions.

Skin problems

Five days before menstruation, many women develop acne. During PMS, estrogen provokes a decrease in the sebaceous glands. Because of this, the skin becomes more oily. If a woman does not eat properly or is in a stressful situation, the occurrence of irritation, acne and pimples is possible in 98% of cases.

pain

Women often experience headaches during the premenstrual period. There are also pains in the lower back and lower abdomen.

Premenstrual syndrome or pregnancy?

Many PMS symptoms are very similar to the first signs of pregnancy. How to distinguish the onset of pregnancy from waiting for critical days? After conception, progesterone levels increase in a woman's body. The same thing happens in the period before menstruation. Similar symptoms are:

fatigue, loss of strength;
pain in the chest;
vomiting, nausea;
irritation, tearfulness, aggression;
pain in the lumbar region.

How can these states be distinguished from each other? Pain in the chest disappears with the onset of menstruation, during pregnancy they remain unchanged throughout the first trimester.

Lower back pain during pregnancy is the norm only in the last term. During pregnancy, a woman is worried about frequent urination - this symptom is not present with PMS.

The signs of both conditions are very similar, so it is very difficult to decipher what exactly to expect. The surest way to find out the cause of the ailment is to wait until the onset of menstruation.

If the menstrual cycle does not start on the right day, you need to use a pregnancy test.

Prevention of unpleasant symptoms of PMS

To reduce unpleasant symptoms before menstruation, you can take preventive measures. All methods should be prescribed only by the attending physician. Recommendations are written out during the examination of the patient and after deciphering the tests. If discomfort causes a failure in the hormonal background, then taking hormonal drugs will be an effective treatment. They are prescribed for a period of at least 3 months.

Specialists determine how long the symptoms of PMS begin to bother a woman, and they can prescribe the following medications:

Sedatives that help to cope with depression, irritability.
For headaches, Ibuprofen, Ketanov are used.
To remove excess fluid from the body, you can take diuretics.

Sometimes all you need to do to reduce PMS symptoms is to make lifestyle changes. Reducing the amount of salt these days will help to avoid swelling. A balanced diet, dieting, reducing the amount of fatty foods consumed will relieve bloating, weight gain, acne. Eat more fruits and vegetables.

A healthy and full sleep is very important these days. It is the lack of sleep that can provoke aggression and irritation.

Two weeks before the onset of menstruation, start taking Magne B6 (magnesium with vitamin B6) - it will not cause harm, even if it turns out that you are pregnant, it stabilizes the work of the heart, strengthens blood vessels, relieves fatigue and insomnia.

If you can’t get rid of the disease on your own, and the symptoms continue to aggressively spoil your life these days, contact a specialist.

In contact with

About 75% of women experience PMS - premenstrual syndrome, and in 5% this symptom complex is pronounced and causes reduced performance and problems in family life. Consider what PMS is associated with, symptoms, relief options and methods of treating this pathology.

Premenstrual syndrome - what is it in women?

What is PMS in girls and women is of interest not only to the fair sex themselves, but also to men who have certainly heard these “three terrible letters”, but do not fully understand the essence and causes of the phenomenon. This term refers to a set of unpleasant symptoms that some women have to experience every month before the onset of menstruation.

When does premenstrual syndrome start?

It is impossible to say with accuracy, PMS how many days before menstruation begins. This complex symptom complex, characterized by a certain cyclicity, is subject to the individual menstrual cycle of a particular woman, girl. So, for some, the onset of uncomfortable manifestations is observed 2-3 days before the "red days", for others - earlier, 5-7-10 days.

How long does premenstrual syndrome last?

The duration of PMS in women varies greatly, and not only in the time before the onset of menstruation. In some cases, the symptoms cease to annoy immediately, as soon as menstruation begins, in other cases, the syndrome lasts until the end of critical days. In addition, in a number of women, PMS has symptoms for several days after the cessation of menstruation. It is noticed that at an older age, more severe symptoms and a prolonged course of premenstrual syndrome are observed.

Causes of premenstrual syndrome

Women's malaise before critical days has long been studied by physicians, and if earlier doctors associated it with the lunar phases, then at the moment the veils of secrecy have been slightly opened. At the same time, no modern study can give the exact reasons why premenstrual syndrome occurs. There are only theories of its appearance, some of which associate PMS with a violation of the water-salt balance, others with allergic reactions (to progesterone), others with psychosomatic phenomena, etc.

Most adherents of the hormonal theory of the appearance of the considered symptom complex. According to her, PMS is associated with fluctuations in the hormonal background in the second phase of the menstrual cycle, as well as with the peculiarities of the metabolism of sex hormones in the central nervous system. This causes various disorders of the vegetovascular, nervous, endocrine and other systems.

In addition, there are a number of factors in the presence of which the risk that signs of premenstrual syndrome will appear in women increases many times over. These include:

living in a metropolis;
brainwork;
lack of physical activity;
low body weight;
stress;
no pregnancy;
frequent pregnancies;
gynecological surgical interventions;
traumatic brain injury, etc.

Premenstrual syndrome - symptoms

Depending on how premenstrual syndrome manifests itself, it is classified into four clinical forms. Consider what symptoms of PMS in women are inherent in each of these forms:

Neuro-psychic form- the most common, more than 40% of women with this pathology suffer from it. The main manifestations include:

emotional excitability (irascibility, irritability, aggressiveness);
depression;
touchiness;
tearfulness;
severe weakness;
numbness of the limbs;
excessive sensitivity to sounds, smells;
flatulence;
breast engorgement.

Cephalgic form- the second most common, often characterized by a severe course, acute relapses. It manifests itself with such signs:

headaches (often pulsating, localized in the temporal region);
dizziness;
pain in the region of the heart;
unmotivated depression;
swelling of the mammary glands;

edematous form- associated with fluid retention in body tissues at the final stage of the menstrual cycle. In this case, the predominant features are:

swelling of the face;
swelling of the hands and feet;
sweating;
soreness of the chest;
bloating;
skin itching;
general weakness.

crisis form- a rare, but extremely severe course of PMS, which is characterized by evening or night attacks with the following symptoms:

headache;
numbness of hands and feet;
shiver;
feeling of tightness in the chest;
interruptions in heartbeat;
the emergence of fear of death;
strong urge to urinate with copious urination.

The listed symptoms occur during PMS against the background of the absence of any organic pathology and practically disappear without a trace after some time. In addition, atypical forms of the syndrome are observed, and often women note the appearance of such symptoms:

drowsiness;
insomnia;
abdominal pain;
increase in body temperature;
vomit;
lack of appetite;
increased appetite, etc.

How to distinguish premenstrual syndrome from pregnancy?

In some cases, the appearance of uncomfortable symptoms makes a woman wonder what is behind them - PMS or pregnancy. At conception, similar manifestations can be felt, as before menstruation, and they can occur at approximately the same cycle time. Determining the difference is not easy, but it is possible. You should pay attention to the duration of symptoms - when pregnancy occurs, unusual symptoms are observed over a long period, and not for several days, as with PMS.

Express tests and pregnancy tests will help dispel all kinds of doubts. When more than 5 weeks have passed since the last menstruation, you can determine whether conception has occurred by using a home test strip dipped in a portion of urine. 4-5 days after the delay of menstruation, it is permissible to donate blood to determine pregnancy, which is a more sensitive method.

Pain with PMS

Signs of PMS in most cases include pain of different localization and intensity, which can be felt in isolation or present in a complex. Often this is:

headache;
soreness of the mammary glands;
drawing pains in the lower abdomen;
drawing pains in the lumbar region.

PMS - what to do?

Treatment of premenstrual syndrome is required if the symptoms of PMS significantly affect life, cause serious physical discomfort, and spoil relationships with others. To establish a diagnosis and differentiate it from other pathologies, the doctor will need to carefully study the patient's history. Of paramount importance is the frequency of attacks during PMS, their connection with the menstrual cycle. For diagnostic purposes, the following may be prescribed:

blood test for sex hormones in two phases of the cycle;
mammography;
electroencephalography;
consultation with a neurologist;
examination by a psychiatrist;
control of the amount of urine separated;
blood pressure control, etc.

How to relieve premenstrual syndrome?

When there is premenstrual syndrome, the symptoms in adolescents and in adult women can vary significantly and have different intensity, but in any case, you can at least slightly improve the condition at home. This requires a lifestyle change. Use the following recommendations, trying to follow them not only on premenstrual days, but always:

Get yourself a good night's sleep.
Minimize stress.
Control the level of mental stress.
Increase your daily physical activity (walk more, go in for sports, dance, etc.).
Give up bad habits.
Minimize your consumption of caffeinated beverages.
Limit your salt intake.
Have sex regularly.
Eliminate sudden changes in climatic conditions.
Take vitamin and mineral complexes course.

How to get rid of premenstrual syndrome?

In the question of how to treat premenstrual syndrome, non-drug methods show good results, including:

massage;
therapeutic baths;
air baths;
aerobic exercise.

A certain role is played by relaxation sessions, yoga classes, breathing techniques, meditation, aromatherapy. These techniques simultaneously help relieve physical stress, normalize the psycho-emotional state. There are special complexes of asanas used for various forms and symptoms of PMS. Empirically, you can find the way to prevent or reduce unpleasant phenomena that helps best.

Premenstrual syndrome - treatment, drugs

for pain attacks - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics (Ibuprofen, No-shpa, Spasmalgon);
with swelling - diuretics (, Spironolactone);
with the predominance of the psycho-emotional component - (Sertraline, Cipramil);
with hormonal deficiency of the second phase of the cycle - hormonal drugs (Dufaston, Medroxyprogesterone).

Folk remedies for PMS

Traditional medicine offers more than one effective remedy for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome, and herbal remedies occupy a special place in the list of methods. Many herbs have a multidirectional effect, affecting different parts of the body and significantly alleviating discomfort. We offer one of the good recipes to help eliminate soreness, reduce nervousness and improve sleep.

With the advent of menstruation, every woman faces, who over time quickly distinguishes the signs of PMS. For many, this period is characterized by a state of discomfort and mood swings. Numerous studies have not identified the exact cause of premenstrual syndrome. One of the versions is considered hormonal changes in the 2nd half of the menstrual cycle.

What are the signs of PMS before period

For normal reproductive ability in the female body, special hormones are produced: estrogen and progesterone. Estrogens improve physical well-being, increase tone and the ability to quickly perceive information. Progesterone suppresses the nervous system, especially in the 2nd phase of the cycle.

On the eve of menstruation, there is a fluctuation of sex hormones. Their increase affects the nervous system, causing its oppression.

In addition, the level of serotonin, which directly affects the hormone of joy, decreases. There are depressions, against the background of which an increased zhor of sweets is possible. A lack of vitamin B causes swelling and weight gain, breast tenderness. Not unimportant is the genetic factor and the psychological state in anticipation of menstruation.

The main symptoms of PMS:

Disorders of the nervous system, hysteria, depression, insomnia;
pressure drops;
Nausea;
Malaise;
swelling;
Swelling and tenderness of the breast;
Pain in the abdomen and lower back;
Acne rash;
slight chills;
Visual impairment.

Each woman experiences PMS differently, and the frequency of pathological disorders is not the same. Discomfort can be aggravated by diseases of the endocrine system, female genital organs, allergic reactions, epilepsy.

How many days before menstruation does this condition begin? Each organism is individual, but most women noted these symptoms 2-8 days before menstruation.

What is the difference between PMS and early signs of pregnancy?

Premenstrual syndrome after the onset of the menstrual cycle disappears. Pressure normalizes, mood rises, well-being improves. In order to accurately know the beginning of menstruation, it is necessary to keep a monthly calendar. The table will simplify the diagnosis of symptoms and allow you to analyze your condition.

The severity of PMS is determined by the number of days and the severity of the symptoms. Unlike other ailments, the syndrome has a constant cycle. His symptoms disappear with the onset of menstruation.

The symptoms of PMS are similar to the first signs of pregnancy. After ovulation, progesterone begins to rise, as in the case of premenstrual syndrome.

Same symptoms:

Enlargement of the mammary glands;
Fatigue, dizziness;
Change of mood;
Pain in the lumbar region.

Pregnancy can be distinguished by several signs. If there is a change in appetite, sensitivity to smells increases, there is an unreasonable refusal to eat.

If a woman listens to her body, she will find several differences:

The difference between breast swelling. With PMS, the breasts have less sensitivity and soreness.
Increased fatigue. In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman feels great fatigue. This is due to the increase in progesterone.
Pain in the abdomen in the region of the ovaries. With PMS, the pain is more pronounced and longer. Conception gives only short-term discomfort when the egg is attached to the wall of the uterus.
With the onset of menstruation, it pulls the lower back. This is due to the exfoliation of the uterine mucosa and the production of blood cells. During pregnancy, such pain in the first weeks is not typical.
The change of mood is different. The expectant mother is more filled with positive emotions, which can abruptly turn into a change of mood.

The sensations during PMS and pregnancy are quite similar, but there are some significant differences.

We determine: the state before menstruation or pregnancy

Each organism is individual. It is very difficult for some to distinguish the signs of PMS from the onset of pregnancy in the early stages. The syndromes are so similar that it is easy to confuse.

Conditions characteristic during pregnancy:

A clear sign of pregnancy is toxicosis. This condition manifests itself immediately after the attachment of the zygote to the uterine wall. Its acute phase occurs within a week of pregnancy. With PMS, these feelings do not happen. Although not every woman in position experiences toxicosis.
A specific phenomenon is the introduction of a fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus, which is accompanied by damage to small blood capillaries. This may result in small bleeding. They come out once and do not continue. This is the main sign of a piquant position.

After pregnancy, a woman's body begins to change rapidly. In the blood, the level of hCG and basal temperature rises, which indicate the onset of pregnancy.

A woman needs to wait for the arrival of menstruation. In case of delay, a special pregnancy test can be done. This procedure determines ovulation by 90 percent. High sensitivity to hCG allows you to accurately set the result.

Various conditions: what can be confused with pregnancy

In some cases, a woman may feel premenstrual symptoms, but a delay in menstruation suggests another thought. Why did a woman think she was pregnant, but it turned out not?

One of the causes is an ovarian cyst. It is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, dizziness, nausea, increased pressure, palpitations and sensitivity of the mammary glands. The syndrome is similar to the onset of ovulation and the first signs of pregnancy.

In this case, there is a delay or interruptions in menstruation, if menstruation came earlier or is completely absent.

Sometimes in the body of a woman there is a change in the hormonal background, which can lead to ovarian dysfunction. In this case, the symptoms of PMS may be expressed or absent altogether.

Feelings are similar to the beginning of menstruation, but the delay continues, and the menstrual cycle does not occur. In this case, the girl may think about pregnancy.

Symptoms of hormonal failure:

Smearing discharge;
Pain in the lower abdomen;
Chest tension.

At the same time, the lower back can pull and whine, drowsiness increases. You must immediately do a pregnancy test to confirm or refute this condition.

Sometimes toxicosis is mistaken for food poisoning and they try to get rid of discomfort with modern drugs, which is highly undesirable in the early stages of pregnancy.

When does bloating occur: before menstruation or pregnancy

Symptoms of approaching menstruation include bloating and rumbling of the abdomen. This means that the egg has been released and is moving towards the uterus.

The main culprit in changing a slim figure is progesterone. It controls a woman's reproductive capacity. Under its action, there is a thickening and filling with useful substances of the internal genital organs. A large amount of liquid is pulled up to the mucosa, the structure is loosened and the volume increases. As soon as the body realizes that fertilization has not occurred, the endometrium will exfoliate, releasing bleeding, and the stomach will return to its previous state in 2-3 days.

However, an increase in the tummy may indicate 2 or 3 weeks of pregnancy. Then with each subsequent term, the belly will only increase.

In some cases, when taking contraceptives, such phenomena as:

Bloating
Heartburn and belching;
Increase in body weight;
Headaches and migraines.

Some ladies noted that the stomach often grumbles, irritability and nervousness increase.

A woman, when trying to get pregnant, can often confuse PMS and the onset of conception. She feels similar states: tearfulness, lack of appetite, breast swelling.

The first signs of PMS (video)

For any delay in menstruation, it is necessary to contact a specialist who will help identify the problem, prescribe treatment or register for pregnancy.

Doctors have always tried to determine the reasons why women feel unwell and irritable in the days immediately before monthly . In ancient times, this phenomenon was associated with various factors - both with the phases of the moon, and with the health of a woman, and with the characteristics of the area where she lived. However, the state before menstruation was a mystery to the Aesculapius. Only in the twentieth century, doctors were able to understand to some extent what was happening to the ladies.

Speaking of PMS - what it is, you should know how PMS is deciphered - this is what it means - a manifestation that is characteristic of women on the days before menstruation. PMS is a complex of symptoms that appear in women and girls a few days before the onset of menstruation.

What are the causes of such manifestations, and what does this syndrome mean, scientists are still investigating. Those who are interested in how PMS is translated should learn more about what manifestations are characteristic of this condition. Each transcript of what PMS is in girls contains a description of all the characteristic symptoms and manifestations.

After all, PMS in women is a whole complex of symptoms, both physical and mental - their scientists counted about 150. Approximately 75% of women experience premenstrual syndrome to varying degrees.

As a rule, PMS in girls begins to appear about 2-10 days before the day when signs of menstruation appear. After the menstruation ends, the menstrual syndrome also completely disappears.

Why does PMS develop?

Until now, all the studies conducted have not made it possible to determine why premenstrual syndrome manifests itself? There are many theories that explain why this condition develops.

The so-called "water intoxication" is a disturbed water-salt metabolism.
Allergic nature - high sensitivity of the body to endogenous.
Psychosomatic - the development of physiological symptoms due to the influence of mental factors.

The most complete and broadest to date is the hormonal theory, according to which PMS is explained by a strong hormonal fluctuation in the second phase of the cycle. After all, in order for the female body to function correctly, a normal hormonal balance is important:

are able to improve well-being, both physical and mental, activate mental activity, increase vitality;
progesterone provides a sedative effect, which can lead to a depressive state in the second phase;
affect libido, increase efficiency and energy.

In the second phase of the cycle, the hormonal background of a woman changes. Consequently, the hormonal theory suggests that the body reacts inadequately to such a “storm”. Interestingly, premenstrual tension syndrome is inherited.

Since in the premenstrual period in the body there is endocrine instability , this leads to the manifestation of somatic and psychovegetative disorders. The main reason for this is the fluctuation of sex hormones during the monthly cycle and the reaction of the limbic parts of the brain to this.

When the level increases estrogen and first increases, and then decreases the level progesterone , swelling, soreness of the mammary glands, dysfunctions of the heart and blood vessels, pressure surges, irritability and aggression in women are noted.
With increased secretion fluid is also retained in the body.
When content increases , there are violations of a vegetative-vascular nature, digestive disorders - diarrhea, nausea, as well as headaches resembling.

Thus, modern physicians distinguish the following factors that determine the development of PMS:

A decrease in the level, which leads to the manifestation of mental symptoms of premenstrual syndrome: with a decrease in this hormone, sadness and longing are noted.
Deficiency leads to fluid retention, breast tenderness, mood changes.
A lack of magnesium leads to the development of symptoms such as headache, desire to eat sweets.
Smoking – women who smoke are twice as likely to suffer from PMS.
- those with a body mass index greater than 30 are much more likely to experience the symptoms of this syndrome.
Genetics - the tendency to PMS can be inherited.
Difficult childbirth, abortion, gynecological operations.

The main symptoms of PMS in women

Speaking about what are the symptoms of PMS, how many days before menstruation in girls and women they appear, one should take into account the individual characteristics of each organism. The main signs of PMS before menstruation are divided into several different groups by doctors. There are such symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (in groups):

neuro-psychic : depression, aggression, irritability and tearfulness.
Exchange-endocrine : chills, swelling due to impaired water-salt metabolism, fever, discomfort in the mammary glands, bloating, blurred vision and memory.
Vegetative-vascular : headache, pressure drops, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, pain in the heart.

Speaking about what symptoms before menstruation appear in women, it should be noted that they can be conditionally divided into several forms. However, as a rule, they are combined. So, if pronounced psycho-vegetative disorders are noted, the pain threshold decreases, and the woman perceives pain very sharply - a week or a few days before menstruation.

What signs of menstruation for a week or a few days can be observed?

Neuropsychic form		Disturbances in the emotional and nervous spheres are manifested: panic attacks, causeless longing and depression may develop; anxiety, feeling of fear, depression; forgetfulness, impaired concentration, mood swings; insomnia, activation or decrease in libido; aggression, dizziness.
crisis form		There is tachycardia, pressure drops, pain in the heart; frequent urination before menstruation, panic. those who are characterized by this form, as a rule, have heart disease, kidney disease, and poor digestion.
Atypical manifestations		The temperature rises to subfebrile indicators; constantly worried about drowsiness, allergic manifestations, vomiting.
edematous form		Characterized by negative diuresis and fluid retention in the body. There are swelling of the limbs and face, itching of the skin, thirst, weight gain, pain in the lower back and joints, headache, decreased urination, and digestive problems.
Cephalgic form		Most show vegetative-vascular and neurological symptoms: migraine, cardialgia; nausea and vomiting; tachycardia; high sensitivity to smells and sounds. Approximately 75% of women have an increase in the vascular pattern, hyperostosis. With this form, as a rule, a family history includes hypertension, diseases of the digestive system, diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Wikipedia and other sources indicate that every woman has PMS in her own way, and the symptoms may vary.

Scientists, after conducting a series of studies, determined the frequency of manifestations of symptoms of premenstrual syndrome:

In addition, PMS can significantly aggravate the course of other diseases:

anemia ;
thyroid diseases;
migraine ;
chronic fatigue syndrome;
diseases of the female genital area of an inflammatory nature.

What conditions and diseases can masquerade as PMS?

To know how many days menstruation begins, each woman must have a calendar or a special notebook and write down the date of the beginning of menstruation, how long menstruation lasts, and also the day of ovulation (for this, it is enough to measure basal temperature). It is also worth noting the manifestation of symptoms before menstruation and well-being during ovulation.

If a woman keeps such records for several cycles, this helps her to establish how often the signs of PMS appear. Also, the diary will help determine if there is a delay in menstruation, etc.

To establish the diagnosis of PMS, the doctor determines the presence of at least 4 signs of the following:

, insomnia ;
deterioration of attention and memory;
increased appetite, loss of appetite;
severe fatigue, weakness;
chest pain;
swelling;
pain in the joints or muscles;
exacerbation of chronic diseases.

You can also diagnose this condition if at least one of the following signs is noted:

conflict, tearfulness, nervousness and irritability, sudden mood swings in women;
groundless anxiety, fear, tension;
feeling of melancholy without reason, depression;
depressive state;
aggressiveness.

To determine the severity of PMS, it is important to consider the number of manifestations, their severity and duration:

Mild form - manifests itself from 1 to 4 symptoms, if these are 1-2 signs, then they are significantly pronounced.
Severe form - manifests itself from 2 to 12 signs, if these are 2-5 symptoms, then they are significantly pronounced. Sometimes they can lead to the fact that a woman becomes disabled a day or a few days before menstruation.

The cyclicity of manifestations is the main feature that distinguishes premenstrual syndrome from other diseases. That is, this condition is premenstrual syndrome when it begins before menstruation (from 2 to 10 days) and completely disappears after menstruation. But if the psychovegetative symptoms disappear, then physical sensations sometimes turn into painful periods or migraines in the first days of the cycle.

If a woman feels relatively good in the first phase of the cycle, then this is PMS, and not an exacerbation of chronic diseases - depression, neurosis, fibrocystic.

If soreness is noted only immediately before menstruation and during menstruation, and is combined with blood secretions in the middle of the cycle, then this indicates that, most likely, a gynecological disease develops in the body -, and etc.

To establish the form of PMS, hormones are examined: estradiol , prolactin , progesterone .

Additional research methods may also be prescribed, depending on which complaints prevail:

If you are concerned about very severe headaches, tinnitus, dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, it is necessary to conduct a CT scan or MRI to rule out organic brain diseases.
With the predominance of neuropsychic symptoms, an EEG is performed to rule out an epileptic syndrome.
If edema is of concern, the amount of urine per day changes, tests are carried out to diagnose the kidneys.
In case of significant breast engorgement, an ultrasound of the mammary glands should be performed, .

Women who suffer from PMS are examined not only by a gynecologist, but also by other specialists: neurologists, psychiatrists, nephrologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, and therapists.

How to understand - PMS or pregnancy?

Since some symptoms during pregnancy are very similar to those of PMS, it is important to consider the differences by which these conditions can be distinguished.

After the conception has occurred, the growth of the hormone occurs in the female body progesterone . As a result, a woman can confuse pregnancy with PMS when they begin to appear: sore and swollen breasts, vomiting, nausea, mood swings, lower back pain, irritability.

Often, going to one or another thematic forum, you can see the reasoning of women about how to distinguish PMS from pregnancy before delay. Of course, if menstruation began on time, then the issue is removed by itself. However, even pregnant women sometimes have discharge during the days. When should you have your period. There are differences in discharge before menstruation and during pregnancy - in pregnant women, they are usually more scarce. But still, in order to verify the presence or absence of pregnancy, it is worth doing a test or conducting tests in honey. institution.

Below is a comparison of the most common signs during pregnancy and PMS.

Symptom	During pregnancy	For premenstrual syndrome
Chest pain	Occurs during pregnancy	Disappears with the onset of menstruation
Appetite	Taste preferences change, sense of smell sharpens, habitual smells irritate	May crave sweet, salty, sensitivity to odors, possibly increased appetite
Backache	Anxiety in the last trimester	Possible lower back pain
Fatigue	Appears about a month after conception.	Possible both after ovulation and a few days before menstruation
Pain in the lower abdomen	Intermittent, mild pain	Manifested individually
Emotional condition	Mood changes frequently	Irritability, tearfulness appear
Frequent urination	May be	Not
Toxicosis	Begins to develop approximately 4-5 weeks after conception	May have nausea, vomiting

Since the symptoms of these conditions are actually similar, and in some cases even pregnancy during menstruation is possible (at least, this is the impression a woman has if there is a discharge), it is important to act correctly.

It is best to wait until the menstruation begins. If a woman notes that she already has a delay, it is imperative to conduct a pregnancy test that reliably determines pregnancy after a delay. Those who want to immediately verify whether there was a conception can take (pregnancy hormone). Such a test already on the tenth day after conception accurately determines pregnancy.

It is most correct in such a situation to visit a gynecologist who will help you figure out what a woman really has - PMS or pregnancy through examination, ultrasound. Sometimes the question also arises, how to distinguish pregnancy from - in this case, you also need to consult a doctor or do a test.

When should you contact a specialist?

If pain, irritability, increased tearfulness in women, the causes of which are associated with PMS, significantly reduce the quality of life and are very pronounced, you should consult a doctor and carry out the treatment prescribed by him. Also, the doctor can give effective recommendations on how to alleviate certain unpleasant manifestations.

As a rule, symptomatic therapy is prescribed for such manifestations. How to treat PMS, and whether it is worth prescribing any drugs for treatment, the specialist determines, taking into account the form, symptoms, and course of premenstrual syndrome. The following treatments may be prescribed:

With mood swings, depression, irritability, psychotherapy sessions, a relaxation technique, and a sedative are prescribed.
If you are concerned about pain in the abdomen, lower back, headaches, it is recommended to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain (pills, and etc.).
Also prescribe drugs for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome - diuretics in order to remove excess fluid and eliminate edema.
Hormonal treatment is prescribed if there is an insufficiency of the second phase of the cycle, after carrying out tests of functional diagnostics, guided by the results of the changes that have been identified. Appoint gestagens — medroxyprogesterone acetate , they need to be taken from the 16th to the 25th day of the menstrual cycle.
Tranquilizers and antidepressants are prescribed to women who develop numerous neuropsychic symptoms before menstruation: aggressiveness, nervousness, panic attacks, insomnia, etc. In such cases, they are prescribed,

Have a good rest

You need to sleep as much time as the body needs for proper rest. As a rule, it is 8-10 hours. Many women who write to any thematic forum note that it was the normalization of sleep that made it possible to reduce the severity of unpleasant symptoms. With a lack of sleep, anxiety, irritability, aggressiveness can develop, worsens. For those who have insomnia, small evening walks can help.

aromatherapy

Provided that a woman does not suffer from allergies, aromatherapy can be practiced by choosing a special composition of aroma oils. It is recommended to use oil of lavender, basil, sage, geranium, rose, juniper, bergamot. It is worth starting to take baths with aromatic oils two weeks before menstruation.

Physical exercise

Any reasonable load has a positive effect on the body - running, dancing, yoga, body flex, etc. If you train fully and regularly, the content of endorphins . And this allows you to overcome depression and insomnia, reduce the severity of physical symptoms.

Vitamins and minerals

To reduce the severity of symptoms, magnesium should be taken two weeks before menstruation and. It is also recommended to drink and. This will help reduce the severity of a number of symptoms: palpitations, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, irritability.

Food

It is important to include in the diet as many vegetables and fruits as possible, as well as foods containing calcium and fiber. It is worth reducing the amount of coffee, cola, chocolate consumed, as caffeine provokes anxiety and mood swings. It is important to reduce the amount of fat in the diet.

It is also not recommended to eat beef, which may contain artificial estrogens. You should drink herbal teas, lemon and carrot juices. It is better to exclude or limit alcohol, since under its influence the reserves of minerals and vitamins are depleted, and the liver utilizes hormones worse.

Often women are interested in why they want salt before menstruation. The fact is that appetite fluctuations are normal during PMS, and sometimes you just need to “meet the requirements” of the body in order to feel better.

Relaxation

You need to try to avoid stressful situations, not overwork and think positively. To do this, it is recommended to practice yoga, meditation.

regular sex

Sex also has a beneficial effect on health - it helps to sleep better, overcome stress, cope with bad emotions, strengthen immunity and increase endorphins. In addition, in the period before menstruation, a woman often has an increased libido, which contributes to an active sex life.

Medicinal herbs

With the help of herbal teas, you can significantly alleviate the condition with PMS. The main thing is to choose the right herbs. Tea can be made from St. John's wort, primrose, as well as other herbs recommended by the doctor.

conclusions

Thus, premenstrual syndrome is a serious condition that sometimes becomes an obstacle for a woman to a full life and ability to work. According to studies, the most common symptoms of PMS occur in residents of large cities and women who are engaged in mental work.

However, with the help of specialists, as well as by practicing proper nutrition, regular exercise, taking vitamins and minerals, this condition can be significantly alleviated.