You don't always know. It can feel like indigestion or peripheral pain. The warning signs can differ greatly between men and women. Familiarize yourself with them early - not just for yourself, but for all the women you care about.
And yes, eventually, they hurt, but by then, you've likely missed the warnings and could be in serious trouble. A 911 dispatcher likely saved my oldest childhood friend's life when she told her to unlock the front door, lie on her back on the floor where anyone coming in would see her immediately and leave the phone on. By the time the paramedics got there, minutes later, she was already unconscious. Fifteen years later, we still have her sassy self!
