Differences Between Premenstrual Symptoms and Early Pregnancy Symptoms

The primary distinction between premenstrual symptoms and early pregnancy symptoms lies in their underlying causes. Premenstrual symptoms are referred to as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), whereas early pregnancy symptoms are termed early pregnancy reactions. PMS most commonly occurs in women aged approximately 25–45 years and manifests one week prior to menstruation onset, with symptoms including headache, dizziness, somnolence, breast tenderness, and lower-limb edema. In contrast, early pregnancy symptoms typically include dizziness, somnolence, fatigue, and abdominal distension.