Most women who are not ready for a pregnancy at a particular moment, always find themselves spiralling at the thought of experiencing even the slightest symptom that could resemble one—sore breasts, nausea, or fatigue. Defenses go up, and women end up overanalyze every ache and shift, fearing the unexpected, despite knowing it could just be PMS.

Hormonal fluctuations play a critical role in the way our bodies function, influencing everything from mood to metabolism. For many women, the days leading up to their menstrual period come with a host of physical and emotional symptoms collectively known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). However, these very same symptoms can also indicate early pregnancy, leading to confusion and uncertainty. If you’ve ever wondered whether your bloating, mood swings, or breast tenderness signal the arrival of your period or a potential pregnancy, you’re not alone.

While a missed period is often the most definitive early sign of pregnancy, there are several overlapping symptoms that can make it difficult to distinguish between PMS and early pregnancy. Below, we take a closer look at eight symptoms that may seem like PMS but could also be indicative of pregnancy.

1. Breast Tenderness and Swelling

Both PMS and early pregnancy may cause breast tenderness due to increased levels of estrogen and progesterone. However, during pregnancy, breast pain may feel more pronounced and persistent, outlasting the anticipated onset of menstruation. Also, the areolas may darken, a phenomenon that is not seen in PMS.

2. Fatigue and Low Energy

Feeling too tired? Tiredness is one of the most common PMS symptoms, but it can also be an early and one of the most common signs of pregnancy. The body increases its production of progesterone in early pregnancy, which can lead to persistent tiredness. While PMS causes a person to feel tired, the tiredness associated with pregnancy is more extreme and does not subside with time.

3. Mood Swings and Emotional Sensitivity

PMS has long been notorious for mood swings, irritability, and an increase in sensitiveness. Equally, in pregnancy, a lot of hormone surges result in mood swing. However, mood swings experienced during pregnancy often last longer and are more pronounced and are characteristically accompanied by feelings of strong emotions or anxiety.

Also Read: Do Men Experience Pregnancy Symptoms Too? Know About The Couvade Syndrome

4. Abdominal Cramping

Mild cramping is one of the common symptoms of PMS, but it may also happen during early pregnancy as caused by implantation. Implantation cramping is caused when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. This happens between 6-12 days after ovulation. Unlike menstrual cramps, which become more severe as the period gets close, implantation cramps are usually minimal and temporary.

5. Bloating and Digestive Discomfort

Classic symptoms of PMS are bloating caused by fluctuations in hormones which make the individual retain water, while early pregnancy is also due to increased progesterone causing delayed digestion that produces gas accumulation. Pregnancy-induced bloating could, however persist for a more extended period compared to PMS where it could fade away at the onset of menstruation.

6. Alterations in Food Intake and Cravings

Both PMS and early pregnancy can cause cravings or aversions to odd foods. However, the urges often are much stronger and more selective when pregnant, and the aversion may escalate into nausea and even morning sickness. Another symptom unique to pregnancy, which is rarely experienced with PMS, is increased sensitivity to odors.

7. Urine Pressure

An increased urge to urinate is not a common symptom of PMS, but it is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. This happens because, after implantation, the body begins producing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that increases blood flow to the kidneys, thus making a person go to the bathroom more often. If you experience a sudden and unexplained increase in urination without other symptoms of a urinary tract infection, pregnancy might be a possibility.

8. Light Spotting or Implantation Bleeding

Perhaps the most distinguishable feature of early pregnancy is that of implantation bleeding. This is the process of the fertilized egg attaching to the uterine lining. This sometimes results in light pink or brown spotting that's mistaken for a period. Unlike menstrual bleeding, which can be quite heavy and lasts for several days, an implantation bleed is usually very light and temporary.

If in Doubt, When Should You Take A Pregnancy Test?

If you are experiencing these symptoms and suspect pregnancy, the best way to confirm is by taking a pregnancy test. The "two-week wait" refers to the period between ovulation and when enough hCG has built up in your system to register on a test. Home pregnancy tests are highly accurate when taken after a missed period, though testing too early may lead to false negatives.

When to Consult a Doctor?

If you have symptoms that last longer than your typical PMS cycle or are different from what you have experienced before, such as intense cramping, prolonged spotting, or extreme fatigue, you should see a doctor. A blood test is much more sensitive to pregnancy than a home test, and a doctor can help eliminate other causes for your symptoms.

While there is significant overlap between PMS and early pregnancy symptoms, subtle differences can help distinguish between the two. Understanding your body's patterns and tracking your symptoms can provide clarity, but when in doubt, a pregnancy test or consultation with a medical professional remains the most reliable method for determining whether you are pregnant.

Last year in June, when a woman collapsed on an escalator at Buffalo's airport, and Phil Clough, who is an experienced emergency medical responder knew exactly what to do. He and a bystander, as the Washington Post reported, quickly laid the woman flat on her back. They checked her pulse and breath. Her pulse was faint and her breathing was shallow and erratic. A few moments later, she stopped breathing altogether.

Realizing she might be experiencing a cardiac arrest, Clough immediately began performing chest compressions. He pressed hard and fast on the center of her chest while other bystanders called 911 and fetched an automated external defibrillator (AED). Within seconds of receiving a shock from the AED, the woman opened her eyes. By the time the airport rescue team arrived, just minutes later, she was conscious and able to speak.

Clough’s quick actions saved the woman’s life, but he credits his preparedness to a life-changing incident several years earlier. After witnessing a woman collapse at his gym and feeling helpless, he took a college course to become certified as an emergency medical responder. This training allowed him to respond with confidence when faced with a life-or-death situation.

The Challenge of Cardiac Arrest

The woman in Buffalo was fortunate that bystanders knew how to respond. Unfortunately, most people who experience cardiac arrest do not receive immediate help.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the U.S. annually. Tragically, 90% of these individuals do not survive, often because help arrives too late. For each minute that passes without intervention, a person’s chances of survival decrease by 10%. However, with prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an AED shock if necessary, survival rates can double or even triple.

Despite the importance of swift intervention, fewer than half of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting receive immediate assistance. This lack of action is often due to a lack of training and preparedness. Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, but with public access to AEDs and trained bystanders, survival rates could improve dramatically.

The Role of AEDs in Saving Lives

A crucial part of treating cardiac arrest is the use of an AED, a portable device that delivers an electric shock to the heart. The AED analyzes the heart’s rhythm and guides the user through the steps to apply a shock if needed. Although many states require AEDs to be available in public places such as airports and malls, they are not always easy to find. A study spanning 2019 to 2022 revealed that in public settings, AEDs were used only 7% of the time, and CPR was performed 42% of the time after a cardiac arrest incident.

To address this issue, PulsePoint, a nonprofit organization, has registered 185,000 AEDs in 5,400 U.S. communities, reports the Washington Post. The group’s goal is to help communities build their AED registries and integrate them with local 911 services. In addition, PulsePoint’s mobile app alerts trained CPR responders about nearby cardiac arrests and identifies the closest AEDs, enhancing the chances of saving a life.

Overcoming Barriers to Bystander Intervention

While CPR and AED knowledge can save lives, many people hesitate to intervene during an emergency due to fear of making a mistake, lacking confidence, or worrying about legal liability. However, all 50 states and Washington, D.C. have “Good Samaritan” laws that protect individuals from legal consequences when they provide help in a medical emergency.

Lack of CPR training is another significant barrier. A study found that only 18% of people had received CPR training within the last two years, which is crucial for skill retention. Although many people have received CPR training at some point in their lives, the skills may be outdated or forgotten.

To address this, some states have made CPR training mandatory for high school graduation, and countries like Denmark and Norway have implemented similar requirements. In the U.S., CPR courses are widely available online and in-person, and many take just a few hours to complete. These courses teach individuals the basics of CPR, which involves performing chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute and a depth of at least two inches.

You may have heard people say that they are allergic to things, whether it is gluten, soy or peanuts. These people avoid these items, even going as far as not dining in certain places where there is a possibility of cross contamination.

While it may seem like an overreaction, allergy symptoms can range from just a few rashes to cause of death. There are many people who did not and still do not take allergies seriously. As one of the most common allergies, many people who have close ones with peanut allergy, many places have opened “nut-free” zones including schools, offices and many public spaces.

While there is no cure for allergies, a new clinical trial results show that exposure therapy with peanut allergies has proven successful.

Why Do We Need Exposure Therapy?

The research team reported in the journal Allergy, April 2025, that a significant majority of the participants, more than two out of every three (67%), were able to eat at least five peanuts without triggering an allergic reaction after undergoing the treatment. This marks a positive step forward in managing this common and often severe allergy.

Seeing as expansive as the risk associated with allergies is, researchers have continued working towards proper cures and treatments. While there are precautions like avoiding the allergens, reducing exposure, when a person with a sever, allergy is exposed to the allergens, the chances of them going into anaphylaxis is a lot, so many people care EpiPens or epinephrine shot that can counter allergic reactions for a while.

How Does Exposure Therapy Work For Peanut Allergies?

The way exposure therapy works is pretty simple but needs to be done carefully. People who are allergic to peanuts are given very, very small amounts of peanut protein every day. Over time, the amount is slowly increased. It's like gently introducing the body to the thing it's allergic to, little by little. This helps the body learn that peanuts aren't actually a threat, and it starts to react less strongly. It's a gradual process, but the goal is to build up a person's ability to handle peanuts without having a dangerous allergic reaction.

In this study, 21 adults who were allergic to peanuts took part. Every day, they ate a small amount of peanut flour mixed in with their food. The goal was for them to be able to eat a small amount of peanut flour every day for at least a month without any problems. After that, they were tested to see how much peanut they could eat. The researchers were very happy with how well the treatment worked, saying that the results were similar to what they've seen in studies with kids.

The study showed some really impressive results in how much more peanut the participants could handle after the treatment. The researchers mentioned that on average, the amount of peanut they could eat without a reaction went up by a hundred times!

Why Are Researches Like This Important?

What makes this study really important is that it's the first-time scientists have specifically looked at how well exposure therapy works for adults with peanut allergies. Usually, this kind of treatment is done with kids because their bodies are still growing and changing. However, this new research shows that even adults, whose bodies are already fully grown, can still become less allergic to peanuts with this type of treatment. This opens up a whole new possibility for adults who have lived with this allergy for many years and haven't had many treatment options before. Many said that the treatment was "life-changing" and they no longer lived in constant fear of their allergy.

Every three seconds someone in the world develop dementia. Forgetting things every now and then is normal, it happens to everyone. However, nobody expects to lose their sense of being, all the memories and life experiences that make you who you are. Dementia is the condition that makes all of these fears come true. It is a collective name for different brain syndromes which affect one's memory, thinking, behavior as well as emotions.

Many symptoms of dementia are vague, especially early ones, and they can easily mislead people. However, a new technological advancement may help people get diagnosed early, through shoes.

How Can Shoes Help Us Diagnose Dementia?

This new technology, published in Science Advances in April 2025, works by using special insoles you put inside your shoes. These insoles have tiny sensors that can feel the pressure when you walk or stand. What's really clever is that these sensors don't just feel pressure; they turn that pressure into tiny electrical signals. These signals carry hidden information about how you move and how your body is working, kind of like secret messages from your feet that can tell a story about your health without you even realizing.

How Do These Shoes Work?

The electrical signals created by the smart insoles are then sent wirelessly to a special application on your smartphone, just like getting a text message. This app takes all that data and turns it into easy-to-understand pictures and information about how you walk and stand. It can show exactly where you put the most pressure on your feet and how your movement changes over time. Even more impressively, the app uses smart computer programs to learn and recognize different ways you move, like sitting, standing, or running, giving a detailed look at your daily activities.

For patients who might be developing health issues, the smart insoles could provide early clues that doctors can use to make diagnoses sooner. For athletes, this technology can help them understand their posture better, which can prevent injuries and improve their performance. If someone is recovering from an injury, the insoles can track their progress and make sure they are healing correctly.

Researchers have already discovered that the way people walk can change when they have certain health problems, especially conditions that affect the brain and nerves, like Parkinson's disease. People with Parkinson's might start to shuffle their feet or lean to one side when they walk. The team behind these smart insoles believes that by having much better sensors in shoes, doctors could get a more accurate and earlier warning sign of these kinds of conditions just by analyzing someone's walk. This could lead to earlier treatments and better management of these challenging illnesses.

Why Is Early Diagnosis Important?

According to Alzheimer’s Disease International there are 55 million people living with dementia in 2020.

Their research shows that most of the people who have dementia have not received proper treatment for the same. About three quatre of the people who have been diagnosed with dementia lack treatment or have access to healthcare. Even in high-income countries only about 20-50% of people receive the proper care they need.

This treatment gap can only be fixed when people start getting a diagnosis. Not just receiving care, but receiving early diagnosis and treatment is crucial for proper dementia care, as explained by World Alzheimer Report 2011.