symptoms are not different for men and women.. initial symptoms are very vague and general flue like symptoms with nausea and vomiting occurs. if acute hep b is there then LFT will be raised significantly and jaundice may accompany.
cramps and nause are also very vague and common feature associated with any thing that is associated with inflammation of anything in viscera like infection of intestines, stomuch etc viz gastritis, colitis typhoid and many more indefinitely.. most likely ur wifes nausea and pain is due to uterine contractions associated with menses.
u cant deny the possibility however it can not just be hep b.