What is the difference between the signs?

March 2021, study conducted by Trocando Fraldas with more than 6,100 women between January 29 and February 4, 2021: The symptoms of premenstrual syndrome or menstruation and those of pregnancy are very similar, which is why many women may have difficulty distinguishing them, especially those who have never been pregnant. The bleeding that can occur at the start of pregnancy makes many think they are not pregnant, and are simply menstruating.

Although there are ways to identify the difference, as our most recent study found, 65% of Brazilian women do not know how to differentiate the signs of menstruation from those of pregnancy. This percentage is higher among women aged 18 to 29. Among women who are trying to conceive, the percentage is even higher, with at least 78% unable to make this distinction.

Do you know how to tell the difference between signs of menstruation and signs of pregnancy?

Do pregnant women menstruate?

Pregnant women do not menstruate! What a newly pregnant woman may experience is bleeding due to partial shedding of the endometrium at the start of pregnancy. This is implantation bleeding, also called nidation, which can confuse many women and be mistaken for the start of menstruation.

However, it's important to note that menstrual bleeding has a flow that implantation bleeding does not—the menstrual flow will soak a pad and sometimes includes pieces and clots. Menstrual blood is much redder, very vivid in color, and can even be brown. If there is a significant amount, pregnancy is ruled out. This is how you can differentiate whether a woman is menstruating or experiencing implantation bleeding.

Nevertheless, as our study also found, 71% of Brazilian women do not know there are specific signs of implantation, that is, nidation. Especially younger women aged 18 to 29. Also, among those who are trying to conceive, the percentage rises to 74%.

Did you know there are specific signs of embryo implantation?

  • Santa Catarina is the state where the most women are aware of specific signs of embryo implantation, with 37% of respondents.
  • In Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, at least 30% know about these symptoms of implantation.
  • The state with the lowest percentage of women who know the signs of embryo implantation is Mato Grosso do Sul, with 17% of respondents.

Ranking of states where Brazilian women know there are specific signs of embryo implantation

  • 1.Santa Catarina
  • 2.Rio Grande do Sul
  • 3.Tocantins
  • 4.Rondônia
  • 5.Distrito Federal
  • 6.Alagoas
  • 7.Paraná
  • 8.Mato Grosso
  • 9.Ceará
  • 10.Goiás
  • 11.Rio de Janeiro
  • 12.Espírito Santo
  • 13.Roraima
  • 14.São Paulo
  • 15.Rio Grande do Norte
  • 16.Sergipe
  • 17.Minas Gerais
  • 18.Acre
  • 19.Pernambuco
  • 20.Maranhão
  • 21.Bahia
  • 22.Amazonas
  • 23.Paraíba
  • 24.Amapá
  • 25.Piauí
  • 26.Pará
  • 27.Mato Grosso do sul

Index of Brazilian women who know how to differentiate signs of pregnancy and menstruation, by state

Does symptomless pregnancy exist?

Women with a strong desire to get pregnant may have psychological pregnancy. Being so focused on the possibility of having a baby, they begin to believe they are pregnant when they notice changes in their bodies or, simply, have a "gut feeling." There are other factors that can cause a psychological pregnancy, but no matter the reason, medical help should always be sought.

Among those who participated in the study, 82% know that in psychological pregnancy a woman feels all the symptoms of pregnancy, even without actually being pregnant.

  • The state where the most women know about the symptoms of psychological pregnancy is Rio Grande do Sul, with 87% of respondents.
  • In Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, at least 83% have this knowledge.
  • Roraima is the state where the fewest women know that psychological pregnancy presents all the symptoms of a real pregnancy, with 55% of the population.

Research Method

The study had national coverage and was conducted with more than 6,100 women between January 29 and February 4, 2021. The data collection method was through an online questionnaire.

The following questions were addressed:

  • Do you know how to differentiate signs of menstruation from pregnancy?
  • Did you know there are specific signs of embryo implantation?
  • Did you know that symptomless pregnancy exists?
  • Did you know that in psychological pregnancy you feel symptoms even without actually being pregnant?

To compare results between regions and states, the responses to affirmative questions were scored as numbers, 1 for "yes" and 0 for "no". Some questions, in order to obtain more qualitative results, were designed with more options.