What is the difference between early pregnancy and before menstruation?

A woman will face several major events in her life, and giving birth is one of them. Some women say that having a baby is as simple as being pregnant for ten months and then giving birth. On the surface, it seems that getting pregnant or giving birth is not difficult at all. But in reality, only those who have gotten pregnant or given birth know the pain involved, and it goes without saying. So, what is the difference between early pregnancy and premenstrual period?

01 Vaginal mucosal discoloration:

Pregnancy: In early pregnancy, the vaginal mucosa may appear darker due to congestion.

Menstruation: A woman's vaginal mucosa remains lighter in color during her menstrual period or before pregnancy.

02 Appetite:

Pregnancy: Basically all pregnant women will experience symptoms such as nausea and vomiting in the early stages of pregnancy. Some symptoms may be mild, while others may be so severe that they are unable to work and live normally and can only rest in bed.

Menstruation: However, the precursor to menstruation is an increased appetite and food intake. Some people prefer spicy food and eat a lot, feeling satisfied after eating. However, there are also a very small number of people who have poor appetite before menstruation, which needs to be distinguished from their previous physical condition.

03 Absence of menstruation:

Pregnancy: Women of normal childbearing age with normal menstrual cycles are very likely to be pregnant if their periods are generally delayed by 1-2 weeks.

Menstruation: Missing menstruation does not mean that you are pregnant. It may be that the menstrual cycle itself is disordered, or there is too much pressure from work and life recently, which leads to delayed menstruation. If it is delayed for too long, you should go to the hospital for diagnosis.

04Sleepiness:

Pregnancy: Early pregnancy symptoms include fatigue and frequent sleepiness. I feel like I’m not getting enough sleep.

Menstruation: Although you may feel sleepy during menstruation, the feeling usually returns to normal within 1 to 2 days. Moreover, most cases of sleepiness are caused by dysmenorrhea.

05Lower abdominal pain:

Pregnancy: The lower abdomen is cramping and painful, mainly because the ligaments supporting the uterus are pulled upward due to the swelling of the uterus during pregnancy. Just rest and you will be fine. If the pain is severe and unbearable, or it is continuous pain instead of occasional cramps, you need to see an obstetrician and gynecologist.

Menstruation: There is a feeling of heaviness and pain in the lower abdomen. Excessive bleeding during menstruation leads to loss of blood calcium. However, the demand for calcium for females during puberty increases, resulting in severe calcium deficiency. The blood calcium drops even lower, which often causes spasms and contractions of the uterine wall muscles, leading to pain.