is it possible to feel pms symptoms such as cramping and headaches and really be pregnant? or would it feel differently?

It is very possible that you can take the pregnancy test too early. Most importantly (to answer your question): when are you expecting your period?

I know it is strange that a woman can have this life-altering physical transformation occurring in her body...and she can't feel it!

PMS symptoms and pregnancy symptoms are so close to being similar, because the early stages of pregnancy and PMS are both controlled by many of the same hormones. After 2-4 weeks of being pregnant (again, at the time of a missed period) is when you may be able to distinguish the pregnancy-symptoms from the PMS-symptoms. Until then...a little more acne, a little more tender breasts, a little more/less moodiness could be attributable to either PMS or pregnancy. And...please know...many women do not even have symptoms and actually feel better during early pregnancy! (Also hormone-related). A home pregnancy test, taken once you have missed your period, will be about 99% effective at detecting any "pregnancy hormone" in your body.

This is how most women find out that their symptoms were pregnancy-related or PMS-related: after-the-fact. For instance, after a missed period (ah! that's why I was nauseous and moody, I'm pregnant!) or after a period begins (ah! I guess it was the fast-food take-out that made me feel sick, and I was moody because of PMS!).

That is the long answer to your question, but we need to know when you are expecting your next period? Are you trying to become pregnant, and if so, are you having frequent unprotected intercourse?

Sick-to-stomach, headaches, nausea, raised area around areola, moodiness...these are all changes for you, and could indicate a pregnancy, could indicate PMS, could indicate many other things (stress, poor diet, hormone imbalance, poor sleep, etc).

The light bleeding is not usually a sign of pregnancy. Some women experience "implantation bleeding" (should be called "implantation spotting"), but this is a one-time occurrence, unnoticed by many women because it is literally a small amount of blood, usually just seen on toilet paper after using the bathroom or on your underwear. Nothing that would be considered "bleeding". Women may have some spotting during pregnancy, but again, bleeding is not the usual.

If you are a few weeks late for your period, have a negative home pregnancy test, then you can call your doctor and ask about your symptoms and bleeding in-between your period. Home pregnancy tests taken after a missed period are very effective at detecting any pregnancy hormone (but not 100%). Light bleeding is experienced by many women, but would need to be evaluated by your doctor (whether you are or are not pregnant).

Does this help?