How can I differentiate between breast tenderness before a period and early pregnancy symptoms?

Breast tenderness can happen both before a period and in early pregnancy, and it is due to changes in hormones.

Before a Period:

• According to the British Medical Journal, premenstrual symptoms like breast tenderness occur due to hormonal changes in the ovarian cycle.
• These changes can make the breasts feel sore or heavy as the body prepares for a potential pregnancy.

Early Pregnancy:

• During early pregnancy, the breast tissue starts to change to get ready for feeding a baby. This can make the breasts feel tender, as noted in the Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology.
• The tenderness in early pregnancy is often due to increased blood flow and changes in breast tissue.

In both cases, hormones are at play, but the specific changes and their purposes differ. If you are unsure whether your symptoms are related to a period or pregnancy, a pregnancy test can provide more clarity.