Stress and pregnancy can both cause significant changes in your body. If you have been under a lot of stress and also recently had unprotected sex, these symptoms might be ringing alarm bells. But how can you know whether the changes you’re experiencing are caused by pregnancy or something else?
Below, we’ve explained common pregnancy symptoms that can also be caused by stress. You’ll learn what to look for and how to confirm or rule out an unexpected pregnancy.
Stress and pregnancy: Can stress create pregnancy-like symptoms?
Yes, some symptoms of stress can be mistaken for signs of pregnancy. Keep reading to see which of these tricky symptoms you should be aware of.
1. A missed or late period
Often, a woman’s menstrual cycle is treated as the most obvious way to tell when she is pregnant. Unfortunately, pregnancy isn’t the only reason for a missed or late period.
Stress is a normal part of life, an experience your body is built to handle for short periods of time. When you experience a significant amount of stress for an extended period, however, it can affect your other bodily functions. That includes your reproductive system.
Both your stress response and your menstrual cycle are connected to your hormones. When you’re stressed for a long time, your body will produce high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. Excessive cortisol can affect your production of progesterone, an important hormone for your reproductive system. In periods of high stress, you might experience:
- Late periods
- Unusually heavy or long periods
- Light spotting rather than full bleeding
- No period
You might also notice that your menstrual cycle becomes unpredictable. If changes in your period are your only symptom, pregnancy may not be the cause. That said, it’s always a good idea to visit a clinic for a medical-grade pregnancy test to be sure.
2. Exhaustion
Many women feel unusually tired during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. As your body changes to support the pregnancy, you may notice changes in your energy levels. One of the reasons for this tiredness is hormonal imbalances.
Just as stress hormones can affect your period, however, they can also alter your energy levels. In stressful situations, your body prepares to act quickly. It uses more energy and increases muscle tension to stay on high alert. Worse, high cortisol levels affect your ability to get good rest, no matter how long you sleep. Over time, it can cause mental fatigue that only worsens physical tiredness.
Sadly, fatigue is a normal part of life for many people. As we move through the holiday season, you may be dealing with more stress than usual. If you haven’t been able to shake your exhaustion, even with adequate sleep and nutrients, you may want to take a pregnancy test.
3. Nausea
Morning sickness is one of the most well-known signs of pregnancy. Many women start feeling nauseous around their second month of pregnancy. For some, morning sickness can feel like motion sickness, seasickness, heartburn, or acid reflux. Others experience more intense nausea that can cause vomiting. Despite the name, “morning” sickness can happen at any time of day.
As you might have guessed, stress can cause nausea too. Often, people experience upset stomachs when they feel anxiety in a stressful situation or period of time. You may simply feel like your stomach is churning when you are especially anxious. Some people, however, might even vomit during periods of high stress.
Anxiety-induced nausea usually comes with other symptoms, such as a racing heart, sweating, dizziness, or changes in your appetite. Similarly, early pregnancy signs include dizziness, sudden aversions to food that might affect your appetite, and mood swings that can cause or worsen anxiety.
If your nausea continues, even outside of situations you’re anxious about, it might be time to take a pregnancy test.
How do I know if I am pregnant?
Along with a missed period, fatigue, and nausea, common early pregnancy signs include a frequent need to pee and breast soreness or tenderness. If you have these symptoms along with the signs mentioned in this blog, you may be pregnant.
The best way to confirm your pregnancy officially is through a medical-grade pregnancy test, available for free at our clinic. If your test is positive, you may also be eligible to get a free ultrasound to check your pregnancy’s viability and age.
Don’t let fears about a potential pregnancy increase your stress. Get the answers you need at Thrive Orlando.