Period Cramps But No Period: 15 Possible Causes
May 08, 2020
As if cramping during your period wasnt burdensome enough, it’s possible to have cramps without a period, too.
Pelvic pain is a catch-all term for pain in the lower abdomen, below the belly button but above the legs. Period cramps are one type of pelvic pain, but a number of other things can also cause pelvic pain, some of which dont involve the reproductive system at all.
When you have cramps without a period, it can be hard to tell if its your period thats causing them, or another condition.
Determining the root cause of pelvic pain requires some detective work, and should involve a conversation between you and your doctor. The purpose of this article is to help you understand some possible reasons one may have pelvic cramps but no period.
This article is *not* intended to diagnose any condition, or replace medical advice. If you are in extreme pain, go to the ER immediately.
Pain Due To Pregnancy
The growing baby is attached to the womb lining or uterus. This is known as implantation pain and indicates pregnancy progression. The cramps can be felt 4 weeks into pregnancy around the time one gets the period. Other symptoms are lacking. If you feel queasy, it may be around the fifth or sixth week.
When To Talk To Your Doctor About Cramping
If you’re worried about any kind of cramping, pelvic pain or discomfort in your back or abdomen during any point in your menstrual cycle or while youre pregnant, check in with your doctor. And make an immediate call to your health care provider if you experience intense cramping and bleeding or severe, persistent lower belly pain.
From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
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Differences In The Types Of Cramping
Pregnancy cramping is different from menstrual cramps. It is caused by the uterus as it grows to accommodate the growing baby this is known as round ligament pain. It is a dull ache that can transform into a shooting pain while walking.Menstruation cramps are more severe than pregnancy cramps. Additionally, cramping during pregnancy is also accompanied by symptoms like tender breasts, fatigue, mood swing, increased urination, and appetite.
Are There Other Reasons Im Cramping Without A Period
Thanks to the fairly central location of our reproductive organs, its pretty easy to mix up other cramp-causing conditions with your period. For example, a fairly serious cause of abdominal pain is appendicitis. You can check for this by pressing on the right side of your body, between navel and side, and then letting go. What youre looking for is more pain in the release than the press. That rebound tenderness and fever are two sure signs its time to get to the hospital ASAP!
With an urgent issue like appendicitis ruled out, several other things might be the culprit. It could be that certain penetrative sex positions have irritated your cervix, or that you have a urinary tract infection . Or, its a digestive issue like lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, an ulcer, or IBS.
This wide range of causes means that seeking medical attention if the issue persists is a pretty good idea. If you miss more than three periods, definitely seek medical care.
And as medical self-advocacy best practices suggest, you can bring a list of things youve ruled out or things you think it might be along with you. You might not know what is or is not significant, and a good doctor will understand that. Its better if you tell them everything than leave something out!
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Treatment For Cramping Without Periods
Most of the conditions that lead to cramping with no period must be attended to by your doctor. If cramping suggests an indicator of underlying issues, medical attention is critical. The doctors will advise patients on treatment plans and medicines required for the condition. Some of these conditions require dedicated lifestyle changes. Once the doctors advice is followed, simple lifestyle changes can be the way to alleviate the cramps.
Lifestyle Changes To Help Ease Perimenopausal Symptoms
1. Diet
It is important to consume a healthy diet. This should include foods such as fresh vegetables and whole grain products. Lower calorie dairy products that are rich in calcium, should also be included.
2. Weight control
It is very important to determine the optimal weight for each individual’s height and body type. Body mass index charts should be used, and women should work to maintain their ideal weight.
3. Exercise
Regular moderate physical activity for at least thirty minutes three times per week is ideal. If time is limited, aerobic exercise such as jogging or fast walking is preferred. However, if time is not an issue, muscle building or maintenance should be attempted using light weights or other forms of progressive resistance.
4. Smoking cessation!
This is very important in the management of perimenopause. In smokers, the level of carbon monoxide in the bloodstream increases each time a cigarette is consumed. Carbon monoxide has been shown to increase the rate of breakdown of estrogen in the body. This can lead to worsening hot flushes. In addition, smokers tend to lose bone at a higher rate than non-smokers, and this can contribute to worsening osteoporosis at an accelerated rate.
5. Dietary supplements
- Fatty fish
- Talk to friends or family about issues that are causing you stress.
- Seek professional help if you need it.
7. Get more sleep
8. Talk to your doctor
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease/crohns Disease Or Ulcerative Colitis
When one gets long-term, chronic irritation and swelling in different parts of the digestive tract. In case something goes haywire in the immunity of your body, this disease results. It is not the same as irritable bowel syndrome. Crohns disease can impact different parts of the digestive tract including the mouth. Additionally, ulcerative colitis involves the large intestine or colon. Whatever the cramps feel like, depends on the type of inflammatory bowel disease one has.
With Crohns disease, there can be cramps and pain in the middle or lower parts of the belly. This can be severe or mild. If there is ulcerative colitis, cramps emerge on the stomachs lower left side. Other symptoms depend on the specific type of inflammatory bowel disease. These include severe changes in bowel movement such as constipation or diarrhea. There is an urgent need to pass bowel movement as per IBD. Another sensation is if the bowels are not empty after one goes. There is blood in excretion and weight loss as well as fever and fatigue.
When To See Your Doctor
If your cramps are severe, life-disrupting, or persistent, see your doctor. You should also make an appointment if:
- You just started getting cramps for the first time in your life, or theyve become more severe.
- Youre experiencing other symptoms, like heavy bleeding, weight loss, or dizziness.
During the exam, your doctor will ask about your medical history and symptoms. Your doctor will also check your reproductive organs. You may get imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, to find out if a problem with your ovaries is causing your cramps.
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Reasons Why You Have Cramps But No Period
Cramps are never nice, but those that crop up just before your period or during your period are absolutely normal. Theyre caused when prostaglandin, a hormone-like compound, contracts the muscles of the uterus to discard an unfertilized egg along with the uterus lining. However, what if you have cramps but no period? The possible reasons are many, ranging from ovulation and implantation to appendicitis and cancer.
Can You Have Period Pain When You Arent On Your Period
It is possible to experience the symptoms of your period without actually having your period including the following symptoms:
- Stomach cramps
- Mood swings
- Feeling sick
It can be a sign of irregular periods
These symptoms might not be related to your periods at all there can be several causes and so potentially it is possible to have the symptoms you would expect to have when you are on your period, but not have a period at all. Instead, you may have similar symptoms which are caused by something else.
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Period Pains But No Period: Could I Be Pregnant
Period symptoms but no period might actually be a sign of pregnancy. This is because when the embryo implants into the uterine lining, cramping may occur. Following this, breast tenderness, headaches, fatigue, and more symptoms occur as the body begins going through various changes to carry the fetus. If you suspect this might be what youre experiencing, watch for these signs of pregnancy.
A pregnancy test can detect pregnancy as early as 10 days after conception. But there are things that can make a positive urine home pregnancy test inaccurate, and here are some of them:
- Not following test instructions or misinterpreting the results
- Medications
- Blood or protein in the urine
It is also possible for a negative home urine test to be wrong:
- Taking a test too early or checking results too quickly
- Diluted urine
- The hook effect, which is something that happens when there are so many hCG molecules in the urine that they prevent the test from working properly. They are simply washed off the test, so the result will be negative.
However, the absence of menstruation doesnt necessarily mean youre pregnant. There are lots of things that can cause period symptoms like cramps without actually having periods.
How Are Severe Menstrual Cramps Diagnosed
If you have severe menstrual cramps, a visit to your doctor is the only way to determine the exact cause of your pain. During your visit, your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms. If we need additional information to confirm a diagnosis, a pelvic exam or ultrasound might be needed. These tests will help pinpoint the exact cause of your pain so your doctor can recommend the best treatment options for you.
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Reasons You Get Cramps But No Period
While most women may be able to differentiate between cramping related to the menstrual cycle and other cramping situations, at times the symptoms can be confusing and situations like cramping, but no period may need further examination. Some of the likely reasons for getting cramps without period, can be:
How Can You Tell Whether Youre Having Period Pain Or Not
It can be hard to tell between period pain and other symptoms for some women, it can be hard to distinguish between period pain and other conditions. One tell-tale sign can be the length of your cramps. For example, during your period you may experience cramping for a couple of days or for the duration of your period. Whereas if youre pregnant for example, you may experience cramping which lasts a few weeks to a few months.
If you do have a positive pregnancy test and cramps it is important to see a doctor to make sure that you do not have something called an ectopic pregnancy.
Symptoms which may indicate other health conditions include:
- Vomiting
- Your periods are heavier or lighter
- High temperature
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Irregular bleeding or bleeding after sex
- Passing urine more often
- A change in vaginal discharge
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms you should consult your doctor.
Timing might be a clue usually, period pain lasts for several days. It normally begins just before or when the bleeding starts and may continue for a few days or for the whole time you bleed. You can also have pain during the middle of your cycle when you ovulate. Teenage girls can sometimes experience more period pain when they first start their periods.
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Cramps But No Period: Am I Pregnant
Cramps but no period what can it mean? There are many reasons for cramping such as food poisoning or even ovary pain. Appendicitis, tubal pregnancy, and cysts can lead to terrible cramping that brings you tears.
Can cramps but no period mean Im pregnant?
Yes. Depending upon the intensity of pain of cramps you can take it as a symptom of pregnancy.
Implantation cramps are not as painful as menstrual cramping. These cramps occur because of egg embedment the burrowing causes leaking of blood vessels.
The cramping along with bleeding during implantation is a sign that you could be pregnant. However, if you are not sexually active or are not having any pregnancy symptoms, merely cramping isnt enough to declare a pregnancy.
Some Of The Most Common Reasons For Cramps During Menopause
As mentioned, there are a number of reasons why you might experience what seems like menstrual cramps even though youve reached menopause. As you can can see, some of these conditions are very serious, so if you experience cramping or pelvic pain during menopause, you should seek advice from your doctor.
#1: Fibroids
These are small growths that grown in the walls of the uterus. The good news is that theyre usually not cancerous. The bad news is that they can cause cramps or pressure in the pelvic, even after your periods have stopped.
#2: Endometriosis
This is a condition where uterine tissue grows in other parts of the body. Its most common in people between 30 and 40, but it can happen during perimenopause or menopause as well. You may experience pain that resembles period cramps, even though you no longer have periods.
Note: if youre using hormone replacement therapy to minimize the effects of changing hormones, it may actually make this condition worse.
#3: Chronic Constipation
If you commonly experience pelvic pain, you may suffer from constipation. Its officially defined as having fewer than three bowel movements a week. In addition, they might be hard, dry or lumpy.
Some of the most common causes include a low fiber diet , lack of exercise or certain medications and medical conditions.
#4: Ovarian and Uterine Cancers
Cancers of the reproductive organs may cause abdominal pain or cramping. Older people are at a higher risk of developing them.
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