Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNon-Pregnancy CausesMenopausePregnancyEasing CrampsQuestions to Ask a ProviderDiagnosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Non-Pregnancy Causes
Menopause
Pregnancy
Easing Cramps
Questions to Ask a Provider
Diagnosis
Cramps aren’t always a sign ofmenstruation. Many people develop cramps when they don’t have theirperiod.
There are various causes of cramps with no period. Issues related topregnancyare often to blame. But there are other culprits, such asendometriosis,inflammatory bowel disease, andfibroids.
This article discusses why people develop cramps without a period, how to ease the discomfort, and questions to ask your healthcare provider.
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Cramps But No Period: Non-Pregnancy Causes
While pregnancy is often an explanation for cramps with no period, several causes aren’t related to being pregnant.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside theuterus. Some people with this condition experience painful, debilitating cramps throughout their whole cycle.Other symptoms of endometriosis includeinfertility,painful sex, heavy menstrual periods, and painful bowel movements.
Ovulation Pain
About 1 in 5 people experience pain aroundovulationwhen a person’s ovary releases an egg.This discomfort is usually felt in the lower abdomen on one side of the body. It can feel like a sharp, cramping pain and can last minutes or up to 48 hours.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of conditions, includingulcerative colitisandCrohn’s disease, that causes digestive problems. In addition to triggering gastrointestinal (GI) issues, some people with IBD complain of severe or chronic cramping in the abdomen.
Ovarian Cyst
Anovarian cystis a fluid-filled sac that forms on or inside a person’s ovary. It can cause pelvic pain that feels like a constant, dull ache. If the cyst ruptures, the pain may be sudden and severe.Other symptoms of an ovarian cyst include bloating, painful bowel movements, and painful intercourse.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive organs. It’s often a complication of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such asgonorrheaorchlamydia. PID can cause painful abdominal cramping.The pain may feel like dull pressure, or in some cases, it can be intense. Other symptoms of PID are fever, unusual discharge, painful sex, irregular bleeding, and painful urination.
Ovarian Cancer
Pelvic pain or pressure can be signs ofovarian cancer, a type of cancer that starts in a person’s ovaries. Tumors that grow in the pelvis can cause this discomfort, which can feel similar to period cramps. Other symptoms of ovarian cancer include bloating, feeling full quickly, and frequent urination.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) is a condition that happens when a person’s ovaries produce an overabundance of certain types of hormones. It causes symptoms such as irregular and painful periods,excess hair growth, acne, and infertility. Many people with PCOS also complain of abdominal or pelvic pain.
Interstitial Cystitis
Fibroids
Fibroidsare noncancerous tumors that grow in and around a person’s uterus. If fibroids get large, they can cause pressure or pain in the abdomen, pelvis, or back. This pain is usually described as vague rather than sharp. However, it can be severe.Other symptoms of fibroids are heavy periods, painful intercourse, rectal pressure, and infertility.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunctionis a condition that happens when a person can’t relax and use theirpelvic floor musclesproperly. It can lead toconstipation, urine or stool leakage, and frequent urination. Additionally, some people experience painful spasms in their pelvic floor muscles. This can cause an intense cramping feeling.
Surgery and CrampsSometimes, a surgical procedure, such as ahysterectomy(surgical removal of the uterus), can leave behind scar tissue, known as adhesions. The adhesions can develop between the internal organs in the pelvis and cause pain.
Surgery and Cramps
Sometimes, a surgical procedure, such as ahysterectomy(surgical removal of the uterus), can leave behind scar tissue, known as adhesions. The adhesions can develop between the internal organs in the pelvis and cause pain.
Cramps But No Period Related to Menopause
Cramps with no period can happen duringmenopause(when periods have stopped for 12 or more months in a row).These types of cramps are usually due to underlying causes, such as endometriosis, fibroids, or gastrointestinal issues. If you experience cramps and bleeding after going through menopause, you should see your healthcare provider.
Perimenopause and CrampsSome people develop heavy cramping while going throughperimenopause, the transitional time leading to menopause.Typically, hormonal changes are to blame for the pain.
Perimenopause and Cramps
Some people develop heavy cramping while going throughperimenopause, the transitional time leading to menopause.Typically, hormonal changes are to blame for the pain.
When Could Cramps But No Period Mean Pregnancy?
Cramps with no period could be a sign of pregnancy. In some cases, people who experienceimplantation bleeding, which happens when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, also develop cramping.
Anectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus, can cause cramping or pain in the lower abdomen.
Cramping could also signal amiscarriage(usually defined as pregnancy loss before 20 weeks' gestation). Vaginal bleeding or spotting are other symptoms of a lost pregnancy.
Pregnancy and Normal CrampsSome people experience cramping that’s normal in pregnancy. This can happen when the uterus expands due to the growing fetus.
Pregnancy and Normal Cramps
Some people experience cramping that’s normal in pregnancy. This can happen when the uterus expands due to the growing fetus.
How to Ease Period-Like Cramping
Some ways to lessen the discomfort of period-like cramping:
Questions to Ask a Provider About Non-Period Cramping
If you have non-period cramping, you may want to ask your healthcare provider the following questions:
How to Get a Diagnosis for Period-Like Cramps
See your healthcare provider if your cramps are severe or don’t go away. To get an accurate diagnosis, list all your symptoms. You may need to undergo certain tests, such as blood tests or imaging scans, to rule out different conditions.
Summary
Cramping can occur during a person’s menstrual period. It can also happen at other times during the month. Mild to severe cramps without a period can occur in people with IBD, endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS, interstitial cystitis, pregnancy, and other underlying conditions.
To help alleviate cramps with no period, try a warm bath, take an OTC pain reliever, apply heat to the area, or try exercise. Contact your healthcare provider with a list of your symptoms. They can help you determine what’s causing the pain.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Period pain: Could it be endometriosis?MedlinePlus.Mittelschmerz.Office on Women’s Health.Inflammatory bowel disease.Penn Medicine.Ovarian cyst.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.Lu KT, Ho YC, Chang CL, Lan KC, Wu CC, Su YT.Evaluation of bodily pain associated with polycystic ovary syndrome: A review of health-related quality of life and potential risk factors.Biomedicines. 2022;10(12):3197. doi:10.3390/biomedicines10123197Urology Care Foundation.What is interstitial cystitis (IC)/bladder pain syndrome?UCSF Health.Fibroids.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pelvic pain.Callan, N.G.L., Mitchell, E.S., Heitkemper, M.M. et al.Abdominal pain during the menopause transition and early postmenopause: Observations from the Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study. Womens Midlife Health(2019). doi:10.1186/s40695-019-0046-5Johns Hopkins Medicine.Perimenopause.Mount Sinai.Ectopic pregnancy.UC Davis Health.What are the signs of early miscarriage?Planned Parenthood.What is PMS (premenstrual syndrome)?
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Period pain: Could it be endometriosis?MedlinePlus.Mittelschmerz.Office on Women’s Health.Inflammatory bowel disease.Penn Medicine.Ovarian cyst.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.Lu KT, Ho YC, Chang CL, Lan KC, Wu CC, Su YT.Evaluation of bodily pain associated with polycystic ovary syndrome: A review of health-related quality of life and potential risk factors.Biomedicines. 2022;10(12):3197. doi:10.3390/biomedicines10123197Urology Care Foundation.What is interstitial cystitis (IC)/bladder pain syndrome?UCSF Health.Fibroids.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pelvic pain.Callan, N.G.L., Mitchell, E.S., Heitkemper, M.M. et al.Abdominal pain during the menopause transition and early postmenopause: Observations from the Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study. Womens Midlife Health(2019). doi:10.1186/s40695-019-0046-5Johns Hopkins Medicine.Perimenopause.Mount Sinai.Ectopic pregnancy.UC Davis Health.What are the signs of early miscarriage?Planned Parenthood.What is PMS (premenstrual syndrome)?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Period pain: Could it be endometriosis?MedlinePlus.Mittelschmerz.Office on Women’s Health.Inflammatory bowel disease.Penn Medicine.Ovarian cyst.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.Lu KT, Ho YC, Chang CL, Lan KC, Wu CC, Su YT.Evaluation of bodily pain associated with polycystic ovary syndrome: A review of health-related quality of life and potential risk factors.Biomedicines. 2022;10(12):3197. doi:10.3390/biomedicines10123197Urology Care Foundation.What is interstitial cystitis (IC)/bladder pain syndrome?UCSF Health.Fibroids.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pelvic pain.Callan, N.G.L., Mitchell, E.S., Heitkemper, M.M. et al.Abdominal pain during the menopause transition and early postmenopause: Observations from the Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study. Womens Midlife Health(2019). doi:10.1186/s40695-019-0046-5Johns Hopkins Medicine.Perimenopause.Mount Sinai.Ectopic pregnancy.UC Davis Health.What are the signs of early miscarriage?Planned Parenthood.What is PMS (premenstrual syndrome)?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Period pain: Could it be endometriosis?
MedlinePlus.Mittelschmerz.
Office on Women’s Health.Inflammatory bowel disease.
Penn Medicine.Ovarian cyst.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Lu KT, Ho YC, Chang CL, Lan KC, Wu CC, Su YT.Evaluation of bodily pain associated with polycystic ovary syndrome: A review of health-related quality of life and potential risk factors.Biomedicines. 2022;10(12):3197. doi:10.3390/biomedicines10123197
Urology Care Foundation.What is interstitial cystitis (IC)/bladder pain syndrome?
UCSF Health.Fibroids.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pelvic pain.
Callan, N.G.L., Mitchell, E.S., Heitkemper, M.M. et al.Abdominal pain during the menopause transition and early postmenopause: Observations from the Seattle Midlife Women’s Health Study. Womens Midlife Health(2019). doi:10.1186/s40695-019-0046-5
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Perimenopause.
Mount Sinai.Ectopic pregnancy.
UC Davis Health.What are the signs of early miscarriage?
Planned Parenthood.What is PMS (premenstrual syndrome)?
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