Taking a pregnancy test is the only way to be certain of pregnancy. However, nosebleeds, headaches, mood changes, and other early symptoms might suggest someone is pregnant.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, significant hormonal changes occur that can lead to symptoms. Some of these symptoms may appear even in the very first weeks of pregnancy.
In this article, we discuss some possible weird early pregnancy symptoms, as well as when to see a doctor.
Most people are aware of some of the most common early signs of pregnancy, such as vomiting, known as morning sickness, and a missed period. However, there are many other potential signs of pregnancy, and not everyone will experience them all.
Some weird early signs of pregnancy include:
Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds are quite common in pregnancy due to the hormonal changes that happen in the body. Nosebleeds are rarely serious, and they tend to be manageable at home.
Learn more about managing nosebleeds here.
Mood swings
Mood swings are a result of hormonal changes in the first few weeks of pregnancy.
Pregnant women may feel more emotional than they usually do. Heightened emotions are perfectly normal at this time, but they can often be worth discussing with a healthcare provider.
Headaches
A pregnant woman may experience headaches due to the increased estrogen levels in the body. Stress or fatigue can also cause tension headaches.
Women should check with their healthcare provider before taking any medication while pregnant, including over-the-counter pain relievers.
Dizziness
Blood pressure can drop during early pregnancy because the blood vessels dilate to send more blood to the uterus. Reduced blood pressure can lead to dizziness, which may also occur due to fatigue, low blood sugar levels, and stress.
Eating small, regular meals and trying to keep stress under control can help.
Acne
Another early sign of pregnancy that many women experience is acne. Some women already have acne but notice that it gets worse during pregnancy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggest the following for managing acne during pregnancy:
- washing the face twice a day with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water
- refraining from picking or squeezing acne sores to lessen possible scarring
- choosing oil-free cosmetics
- checking with a healthcare professional before using any products to ensure that they are safe to use during pregnancy
Learn more about managing acne here.
Stronger sense of smell
Another symptom of early pregnancy is a heightened sense of smell. This symptom may present as a reduced tolerance for certain smells, or a woman may simply become more sensitive to smell. In some cases, this sensitivity may contribute to nausea.
Strange taste in the mouth
Experts believe that hormonal changes can cause a condition called dysgeusia in some pregnant women. Some women complain of having a metallic taste in their mouth or too much saliva.
Although these symptoms may be bothersome and inconvenient, they are not a cause for concern.
Discharge
Most women experience vaginal discharge at various points throughout their menstrual cycle. Discharge that is clear, white, or sticky is normal during pregnancy and can be an early sign of pregnancy.
It is best to visit a healthcare provider if the discharge:
- is not white or clear
- smells bad
- occurs alongside itching, pain, or soreness
Cravings and aversions
During early pregnancy, women may have a
Anyone who starts to crave nonfood items — a condition known as pica — should contact their healthcare provider.
Fatigue
Another common symptom of pregnancy is feeling very tired, or even exhausted, particularly in
This fatigue is due to the many hormonal changes that take place in the body at this time.
Learn more about fatigue here.
Shortness of breath
The increase in the hormone progesterone that occurs in the first few weeks of pregnancy can cause women to breathe more frequently than usual. As a result, they can feel as though they have shortness of breath.
Shortness of breath describes the feeling of being unable to get enough air into the lungs when breathing normally.
Congestion
Rhinitis is the official name for the runny nose that many women experience during pregnancy.
A humidifier, saline drops, or a saline rinse may help treat congestion.
Constipation
Hormonal changes may cause some women to become constipated during pregnancy. The elevated progesterone levels relax the bowel walls, which can make it harder to pass stool. This symptom is more common later in pregnancy, but it can affect some women in the first trimester.
These symptoms are not a confirmation of pregnancy. Anyone who suspects that they may be pregnant should take a pregnancy test to confirm.
If pregnant women experience any of the above symptoms to the extent that it causes them distress, they should visit a doctor as soon as possible.
While some of the symptoms can be a mild inconvenience, others can occasionally be more severe and require medical attention.
There is some overlap between premenstrual symptoms, side effects from hormonal birth control, and early pregnancy symptoms. For instance, they can all include constipation, headaches, feeling tired, and having mood swings.
Therefore, although the above symptoms can occur in early pregnancy, their appearance does not definitively mean that a woman is pregnant. The only way to find out for sure is to take a pregnancy test.