Explore the reasons why you have cramps but no period, by age and other factors.

Learn the causes of cramps, early pregnancy signs, and more.

These pelvic cramps arent usually serious.

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Still, sometimesperiod-like symptomswithout bleeding can also be related to certain health conditions.

Every body is different!

If youre unsure whether youre pregnant, take an at-home pregnancy test and/or schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN.

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board-certified OB/GYN and assistant professor at the Raquel and Jaime Gilinski department of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive science atIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Whats the difference between period cramps and early pregnancy cramps?

Sometimes its tough to tell the difference between period cramps and early pregnancy cramps.

While both kinds of cramps can feel the same, there are some subtle differences.

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On the other hand, early pregnancy cramps are often due to implantation.

There are also other ways to distinguish period cramps from implantation cramps.

Here are some clues, according toRMC Health System:

2.

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Matter of fact, theres a name for ovulation-related pain: mittelschmerz, per theCleveland Clinic.

This may lead to pain in your lower abdomen and pelviseither in the middle or on one side.

Its a symptom of PMS

Do your cramps tend to come rightbeforeyour period starts?

pregnant person with long brown hair in a black tank top and pants and flowy tan overshirt looking at their baby clothes and awaiting birth, to show concept of superfetation pregnancy

board-certified OB/GYN and assistant professor at the Raquel and Jaime Gilinski department of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive science atIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

You might be dealing with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

PMSa combination of physical and mental symptomshappens after you ovulate and before you get your period.

During this part of your menstrual cycle, some major hormonal shifts happen in your body.

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Again, every person with a uterus is different.

Some have severe PMS while others have less of an issue.

Symptoms can also fluctuate throughout your lifetimegetting worse or better as you age.

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Pain and discomfort can be relieved with OTC pain medications, heating pads, or even a hot bath.

it’s possible for you to thank your hormones for this one.

Because your hormones are in flux during perimenopause, your ovulation can be irregular, too.

In a typical menstrual cycle, estrogen levels dip once youve ovulated.

But during perimenopause, your estrogen levels may stay sky high after ovulation, according to theCleveland Clinic.

When this happens, your body releases chemicals called prostaglandins, which trigger your uterus to contract.

These contractions can cause cramps, sometimes without any bleeding.

Youre constipated

Feeling a bit backed up?

Constipation is another culprit behind pelvic cramping.

If youre feeling sharp pains in your lower abdominal area, it can be from trapped gas or stool.

Youre also more prone to constipation when youre pregnant or traveling.

You just started a hormonal birth control

For many people, hormonal birth control can helpcontrolperiod cramps.

Fewer contractions equals fewer cramps.

These side effects typically go away in a few months as your uterus adjusts to the IUD.

That means painful cramping can happen when you have your period or even when you dont.

Heres How I Finally Figured It Out

8.

You have inflammatory bowel disease

We already know the occasional bout of constipation can cause pelvic cramps.

But chronic gut issues can cause pelvic pain, too.

Abdominal pain and cramping are just some of the symptoms they may deal with daily or during flare-ups.

Its an infection

Cramping without a period can also be a sign of an infection.

Its usually because of an untreated sexually transmitted infection (STI).

The most common kind of UTI is a bladder infection.

If you suspect your pelvic pain is related to an infection, see your doctor.

Youll likely need an antibiotic to cure it and prevent complications.

You have fibroids or polyps

Abnormal growths in the uteruscalled fibroids and polypscan also cause pelvic cramping.

When uterine fibroids (made of muscle and tissue) are small, theyre usually no big deal.

But when they grow larger, they can be uncomfortable.

You might even feel pain during sex or low-back pain, as well, according to theCleveland Clinic.

Both conditions can also cause irregular periods and spotting, among other annoying symptoms.

Theyre super common, typically harmless, and often go away on their own.

Your doctor can determine this by taking an ultrasound of your ovaries.

People with PCOS often have multiple cysts on their ovaries and accompanying pelvic pain.

It can also be part of a treatment plan for certain gynecologic cancers.

Even certain foods (like spicy or acidic foods) can trigger an IC flare-up.

While it can be tricky to diagnose, IC can be identified and managed with help from a urologist.

As you start treating the underlying health concern, your pain may subside or even go away.

Hot flashes, night sweats, low libidoeveryones heard of thesemenopause symptoms.

But as we learned, people going through menopause can feel other things, too, like pelvic cramping.

They can suggest treatments like hormone therapy and other lifestyle changes.

Whats the best way to treat period cramps at home?

But you dont need to suffer through.

Yep, it is normal not to have period cramps, Dr. Khalil says.

If youve never had period cramps, consider yourself lucky!

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