Diagnosing Cramps With No Period
Always call a doctor if you have cramps that wonât go away, whether or not you have your period.
Your doctor will want to know if your pain is sudden or ongoing. The more details you can give, the faster they may be able to diagnose and treat you. Youâll be asked questions about your symptoms and your periods.
Your doctor may do tests or procedures to learn the cause of your cramps. If your doctor suspects it is related to your uterus, or ovaries, common tests are:
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Pelvic exam
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Ultrasound
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Laparoscopy, a type of exploratory surgery to look at the structures inside your pelvic area, including your uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
Your doctor may refer you to someone who specialize in stomach or intestinal disorders or a urologist if they suspect that cramps are caused by any of those areas .
Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Pelvic Pain.”
Glencoe Regional Health Services: “Possible causes of ovarian pain.”
St. Luke’s Health System: “Ruptured Ovarian Cyst.”
Kruszka, P.S. American Family Physician, July 15, 2010.
KidsHealth: “Pregnancy Calendar: Week 4.”
KidsHealth: “Pregnancy Calendar: Week 5.”
WomensHealth.gov: “Irritable Bowel Syndrome Fact Sheet.”
Center for Young Women’s Health: “Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.”
Christiana Care Health System: “Pelvic-Floor Muscle Dysfunction.”
UpToDate: âPatient information: Chronic pelvic pain in women .
UpToDate: Patient information: Irritable bowel syndrome .â
American Cancer Society: âWhat Is Ovarian Cancer?â
How To Relieve Menstrual Cramps While You Are At Home
Recent scientific research has backed the fact that pain of period cramps can be as severe as the pain felt during a mild stroke. This enormous and nerve wrecking pain of menstrual cramps is unimaginable.
The onset of the pain and cramps starts even before the actual bleeding. Cramps are one of the most common symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome .
When Should You Contact Your Healthcare Provider About Menstrual Cramps
Bad cramps keep some women from working and going to school. You dont have to suffer and you dont have to put your life on hold. Contact your healthcare provider if you have painful periods.
It may be helpful to keep track of your periods and the days on which pain is the worst so you can make a complete report. If you notice other symptoms, like headaches or heavy flows, you should keep track of those, too.
Your provider will probably ask you when you started getting your period, how long they last, if you are sexually active, if other women in your family have problems with their periods and what kinds of treatments you might have tried already.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Menstruation is normal. You might get cramps, but you dont have to suffer silently with them. There are ways to make painful periods less painful. Make sure you talk to your healthcare provider about painful periods.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/20/2020.
References
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Uterine Defects: Structural Oddities That Can Lead To Menstrual Cramps And Infertility Too
While a female fetus is still in its mother’s uterus, its own uterus develops from two structures known as Müllerian ducts. In some cases, the uterus does not form correctly, which can cause infertility, period pain, and painful intercourse. For women with structural anomalies such as a bicornuate uterus , septate uterus , unicornuate uterus , uterus didelphys menstrual cramps stem from blockages and membranes dividing the uterus and vagina.
Iud Insertion Pain: Overview
Its normal to feel some tolerable IUD insertion pain. It occurs when your doctor or nurse touches and dilates your cervix with special tools and pushes the IUD through the cervix into the uterus. Some people describe it as a bit harsher version of cramps you may feel during a pap smear.
The process of IUD insertion lasts only a few minutes, and cramps often become better in 1520 minutes. To manage the pain, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers in advance, for example, ibuprofen. You can also ask your provider for a local anesthetic to numb the cervical canal before the procedure.
Some professionals may use ultrasound guidance to show you the insertion. This may distract you from possible discomfort and help you feel in control of the procedure. Ask your doctor about their approach.
Women who have had a vaginal delivery usually feel less IUD insertion pain. For others, the insertion may be more painful. Some doctors prescribe a local treatment to soften the cervix, make insertion easier, and cause less discomfort. Please discuss this with your doctor.
You may experience dull or throbbing pain similar to menstrual cramps for a few days after your IUD was installed. And like menstrual cramps, IUD cramps can usually be managed with pain relievers or a heating pad. However, if your cramps suddenly became severe or you feel a sharp pain in the lower abdomen, its best to consult your health care provider immediately.
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Period Pain: When To Go To The Doctor
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Lets face it: any time is a bad time when it comes to having your period. For most women, cramping and bloating are typical symptoms of the friend who pays a monthly visit. But when the pain is extreme and paired with excessive bleeding, fever, or feels suddenly worse than what has been previously experienced, its time to see your doctor.
Acupuncture May Help By Relaxing The Nervous System
Acupuncture can help relieve cramps, says Jeannie Bianchi, a licensed acupuncturist in San Francisco. This ancient Asian healing method is thought to relax the nervous system, allow more blood to flow to internal organs, and quell inflammation, Bianchi says.
In a review published in April 2016 in the CochraneDatabase of Systematic Reviews experts looked at 42 studies that observed the effects of acupuncture on period cramps. Each compared acupuncture with no treatment, conventional treatment , or a sham acupuncture procedure. Many of the studies found that the acupuncture group had less period pain and no side effects. The researchers emphasize, however, that the quality of all of the studies was poor.
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If You Have Cramps That Meds Dont Help
It might be: endometriosis. This condition causes uterine tissue to grow on other organs such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. It affects up to 10 percent of women, according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists , though women often dismiss their excruciating pain as a normal part of their periods.
What to do: If you can, keep a log of your menstrual cyclesnoting degrees of pain as well as the dates of your periods and other symptoms like bleedingand bring it to your doctor. The more information you can bring about your normal cycles, the better, Masterson explains, but if youre really uncomfortable, dont waitjust come in and let us figure it out. Hormone treatments may be effective, she adds, because they can decrease the length of your period and shorten the amount of pain you experience each month.
When Should I Get Medical Help For My Period Pain
For many women, some pain during your period is normal. However, you should contact your health care provider if
- NSAIDs and self-care measures don’t help, and the pain interferes with your life
- Your cramps suddenly get worse
- You are over 25 and you get severe cramps for the first time
- You have a fever with your period pain
- You have the pain even when you are not getting your period
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Why Does My Body Hate Me Why
It doesnt. Its all normal and part of your monthly cycle, but in some cases cramps can become so painful they prevent people from leaving the house, or going about their daily life. Painful periods may be primary, i.e. there is no underlying problem, its just how your body reacts to the hormones. However, they may also be secondary, meaning there could be something else going on to cause your symptoms that your doctor can help with, such as endometriosis, fibroids, or an STI .
So if you have cramps that worsen after the first few days of your period, or if you start experiencing intense cramps for the first time after the age of 25, check in with your doctor. They may wish to do a pelvic exam to figure out whats going on in there, but this is nothing to worry about.
Possible Complications Of Menstrual Cramps
Menstrual cramps wont cause any other medical complications if you go to see a doctor on time in order to prevent further conditions to occur. It mainly affects your daily activities. Furthermore, if endometriosis is not discovered in time, it may cause fertility problems. The pelvic inflammatory disease can increase the risk of a fertilized egg implanting outside of the uterus,
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If You Have A Dull Constant Pain
It might be: pelvic inflammatory disorder . PID is characterized by constant pain outside of your menstrual cycle that comes with vaginal discharge, says Masterson. The condition is a serious infection of the uterus, ovaries, and/or fallopian tubes often caused by untreated STDs like chlamydia or gonorrhea.
What to do: Get to your doctor, because you need a swab culture to check for bacteria or an infection, says Masterson. PID is totally curable with antibiotics, but if left untreated for too long, scar tissue could form in your reproductive tract and mess with your fertility.
What Can I Do For Cramps
If cramps bother you, you can:
- Take a pain reliever. Talk to your mom or dad or your doctor about which medicine is best for you. They can help you figure out how much to take and how often.
- Exercise! Being physically active can ease cramps, probably because exercise releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the body that make you feel good.
- Get warm. Try placing a warm water bottle, warm heating pad, or warm compress on your belly or take a warm bath.
If these tips dont help, talk to your parent or your doctor about other treatments.
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Why Are My Cramps So Bad This Month
Ever noticed your cramps sometimes vary from month to month? It could have something to do with fluctuating hormone levels, Overton says.
Each month marks the start of a new process of hormone production from the ovaries, she explains. Estrogen is the dominant hormone before ovulation, and progesterone becomes the dominant hormone after ovulation. So its natural for pain and symptoms to vary from one cycle to the next as levels of these hormones fluctuate.
Periods can change as you get older, too. For example, in your 40s, it is common for periods to become heavier and closer together as you approach perimenopause, due to the natural age-related hormonal changes that occur during this time, Overton says.
Again, if youre experiencing a change in your periods and/or struggling with symptoms, its best to speak to your doctor or health care professional for advice and support.
Cramping And Crying: What Should I Do If I Have Severe Cramps During My Period
Dear Sexpert,
The pain I have felt during my last few periods has been debilitating. I have taken ibuprofen and that hasnt really helped. Ive had to miss classes because I was in too much pain to get out of bed. Im embarrassed to tell my professors and preceptors why I missed classes. My roommate says everyone gets cramps and that I need to stop being so sensitive, but Im worried it could be something more serious. What should I do?
Cramping and Crying
Dear Cramping,
Ouch, I am sorry that you are experiencing so much pain. For some women, menstruating can be a very painful process, and the level of discomfort experienced is variable. More than 50 percent of all women who menstruate experience pain for one to two days of each menstrual cycle. If you are experiencing extreme pain that lasts longer than two days or interferes with daily activities when you are menstruating, you should make an appointment with your health care provider or a Sexual Health and Wellness clinician at McCosh.
Secondary dysmenorrhea, however, involves pain that lasts much longer than typical menstrual cramps. It can even begin before the menstrual period starts and continue after the menstrual period has ended. This pain is caused by a disorder in the reproductive system.
~The Sexpert
Information provided by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
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An Inflammatory Bowel Disease
What it is: You get long-term swelling and irritation in different parts of your digestive tract. It happens when something goes haywire in your immune system. It isnât the same as irritable bowel syndrome . Crohn’s can affect any part of your digestive tract . Ulcerative colitis involves only the large intestine .
What the cramps feel like: It depends on the type of IBD you have. With Crohn’s, youâll feel cramps and pain in the right lower or middle parts of your belly. They can be mild to severe. If you have ulcerative colitis, the cramps will be on the lower left side of your stomach.
Other symptoms: Which ones you have depend on the specific type of IBD. They include:
Why Are Some People More Prone To Period Cramps
From length to heaviness and cramps, everyone has a different experience when it comes to periods.
Some people do have more painful periods than others, and this may be due to a buildup of prostaglandins, which can cause stronger contractions, Caroline Overton, consultant gynecologist and spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, tells Flo.
However, there are some factors that can put you at a higher risk of painful periods.
Research by the University of Queensland found that you are much more likely to experience painful period cramps if you have a family history of dysmenorrhea. Lifestyle factors also seem to be at play here too their research also found that stress was closely associated with dysmenorrhea.
Another study from the same university found that women who smoke may be more likely to experience menstrual pain. The link between the two is not exactly clear, but it could be related to a reduced amount of oxygen available to the uterus.
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Period Cramps: The Takeaway
Period cramps vary significantly from person to person, depending on your menstrual cycle, and they can be impacted by a variety of lifestyle factors. Following a healthy diet and exercising regularly are good practices for maintaining an overall sense of well-being, but pain shouldnt be regularly getting in the way of your everyday life.
If youre concerned about period cramps, or youve noticed a change in the severity of pain, its a good idea to speak to a doctor, just to be sure about whats going on for you.
The good news is treatment for both primary and secondary dysmenorrhea is available, so you dont have to deal with it on your own.
References