Cramps but No Period

Medically Reviewed by Zilpah Sheikh, MD on July 07, 2024
Written by Alyson Powell Key
9 min read

Cramps are contractions or spasms that happen beyond your control and without warning in your abdominal area. Lots of women get pelvic pain and cramping, but your period isn't always to blame. Cysts, constipation, pregnancy — even cancer — can make it feel like your monthly visitor is about to stop by.

Here are some common reasons for cramping without your period:

Irritable bowel disease (IBD)

What it is. IBD is long-term (chronic) swelling and irritation in different parts of your digestive tract. It happens when something goes haywire in your immune system. It isn’t the same as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). There are two types of IBD: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn's can affect any part of your digestive tract (including your mouth), while ulcerative colitis involves only the large intestine (colon).

What the cramps feel like. It depends on the type of IBD you have. With Crohn's, you’ll 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 depends on the specific type of IBD. They include:

Ovulation

What it is. If you haven't gone through menopause and still have your ovaries, you might get cramps mid-month, about 10-14 days before your period. This happens when your ovaries release an egg to ready your body for a possible pregnancy. The harmless twinge of discomfort is called "mittelschmerz," which means middle pain.

What the cramps feel like. You'll notice pain on one side of your lower belly. It lasts a few minutes to a few hours. It can be sharp and sudden, or you might just have a dull cramp. The side of the pain depends on which ovary releases the egg. It may switch sides every month or strike the same place each time.

Other symptoms. You may also have vaginal discharge or mucus, enlarged or tender breasts, stomach bloating, and mood changes.

Ruptured ovarian cyst

What it is. A cyst is a sac of fluid. Sometimes, they form on your ovaries. One type is called a follicular cyst, which breaks open to release an egg and later dissolves in your body. If this doesn't happen, a different cyst can form. Most are harmless. But if one grows large, it could burst.

What the cramps feel like. A ruptured cyst doesn't always cause pain. If it does, you might have sudden, sharp cramps on either side of your lower stomach below the belly button. The location depends on which ovary had the cyst.

Other symptoms. You may also have some spotting. Before the cyst ruptures, you may feel pain or pressure in your lower belly, thighs, or lower back.

Pregnancy cramps

What it is. These occur when your growing baby attaches to the lining of your womb or uterus. This is called "implantation pain," and it’s a sign of pregnancy progress.

What the cramps feel like. You might have a few slight cramps about 4 weeks into your pregnancy -- around the time when you’d get your period. If you aren't sure whether you're pregnant, taking a test is a good idea.

Other symptoms. There are none. If you're pregnant, you might start to feel queasy around the fifth or sixth week.

Ectopic pregnancy

What it is. This is when a baby grows somewhere other than your womb. Most often, it happens in one of your two fallopian tubes. It’s life-threatening for the mother and can’t result in a live birth.

What the cramps feel like. You may have mild cramps followed by sudden, sharp, stabbing pains on one side of your lower belly. The pain can get so severe that you also feel it in your shoulder and lower back.

Other symptoms. Before the cramps, you may have had typical pregnancy signs, such as nausea and sore breasts. But not all women with an ectopic pregnancy have those. You might not even know you’re pregnant.

Miscarriage

What it is. It's the loss of an unborn baby before the 20th week of pregnancy.

What the cramps feel like. They might start like period pains and then get more severe.

Other symptoms. You may have vaginal bleeding or spotting. Some pregnant women have these symptoms but don’t miscarry. But if you’re expecting and either happens, always call your doctor.

Endometriosis

What it is. This is a long-term (chronic) condition in which tissue similar to your womb's lining attaches to other organs and begins to grow. It usually affects your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic tissue but can impact other parts of your body.

What the cramps feel like.They seem like regular period cramps, but they can happen any time of the month. You may also have cramps and pain in your lower back and stomach below your belly button.

Other symptoms. Sex that involves deep penetration may be painful. Some women have painful bowel movements. Endometriosis can make it hard to get pregnant.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

What it is. It's a bacterial infection usually spread by sex. It affects the parts that help you conceive and grow a baby. This includes your fallopian tubes, womb, ovaries, vagina, and cervix.

What the cramps feel like. You'll have pain on both sides of your lower belly and lower back. It can happen any time of the month.

Other symptoms. PID causes abnormal vaginal discharge and, sometimes, spotting. You might have pain or burning during sex or when you pee. Your periods might be heavier or longer. You might run a fever or have nausea and vomiting. You'll need to get the disease treated by a doctor.

Pelvic-floor muscle dysfunction

What it is. Severe spasms happen in the muscles that support your bladder, womb, vagina, and rectum. It can happen after you have trauma with vaginal childbirth or after an injury, such as a car accident.

What the cramps feel like. They're severe such as sudden cramps in your lower belly. You may also have ongoing pain in your groin and back.

Other symptoms. You might have pain during your periods or sex, a burning feeling in the vagina, and problems pushing out stools. It could burn when you pee, or you may have a strong urge to go all the time. If you have these symptoms, see a doctor for a urine test to rule out a bladder infection. If you have one, the doctor will see bacteria in your urine.

Interstitial cystitis

What it is. This long-term condition affects your bladder. Some doctors call it "painful bladder syndrome."

What the cramps feel like. You’ll notice them in your lower stomach (pelvic) area and in your genitals, along with pain and tenderness. They’ll get worse as your bladder gets full and when it's almost time for your period.

Other symptoms.You'll feel like you have to pee a lot, and it’ll be urgent. Sex might also hurt.

Irritable bowel syndrome

What it is. This disorder causes stomach pain and bloating with diarrhea, constipation, or both.

What the cramps feel like. They're sudden and in your belly. They might go away after you poop. Your specific pain will depend on whether you have constipation or diarrhea. You might go back and forth between the two or only have one type. Symptoms usually get worse during your period.

Other symptoms. You might feel pressure like you tried to go but couldn’t fully empty your bowels. You might feel sick to your stomach, have gas, or spot mucus in your poop.

Appendicitis

What it is. Irritation and swelling of a small pouch (appendix) on the end of your large intestine.

What the cramps feel like. You may first notice pain around your belly button. Then, it worsens and moves to your stomach's right lower side. Cramps get bad fast, and they may wake you up. It could hurt if you cough, sneeze, or move.

Other symptoms. About half of people with appendicitis also have a fever, feel sick in their stomach, or throw up. Medical treatment is a must. A burst appendix can be life-threatening.

Ovarian cancer

What it is. This type of cancer starts in the ovaries, the organs that make your eggs.

What the cramps feel like. Vague. You may write the pain off as something else, such as constipation or gas. But the hurting and pressure in your lower belly won’t go away.

Other symptoms. Your belly may swell so much that you find it hard to button your pants. You might get full quickly when you eat and notice a strong, frequent need to pee. See a doctor if you have these symptoms for more than 2 weeks.

Other causes for cramps without a period include:

Intrauterine device (IUD) cramps

It's normal to have cramping after having an IUD placed to prevent pregnancy. You can ease cramps with a heating pad or by taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Call your doctor if the cramping becomes severe.

Menopause cramps

As you reach perimenopause, a boost in estrogen after ovulation can trigger your body to release prostaglandins. These chemicals cause your uterus to contract, resulting in cramps.

Depo shot cramps

One lesser-reported side effect of getting the birth control injection Depo-Provera is stomach pain or cramps.

Always call a doctor if you have cramps that won’t go away, whether or not you have your period. (Get medical help right away if you have sudden, severe belly pain that continues to get worse.)

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. You’ll 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:

  • Pelvic exam
  • Ultrasound
  • 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 specializes in stomach or intestinal disorders or a urologist if they suspect that cramps are caused by any of those areas.

Treatment depends on the root cause of your cramps but may improve without treatment. In the meantime, you can:

  • Drink clear fluids and avoid alcohol, tea, and coffee.
  • Avoid rich, fatty, or spicy foods.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Use a hot water bottle on your abdomen.
  • Take pain relief medicines with your doctor's permission.

A range of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, ovulation, and ruptured ovarian cyst, can cause cramps without a related period. Diagnosis typically involves sharing your medical history and a thorough physical exam. And you may need imaging tests such as ultrasounds, laparoscopy, or other procedures to pinpoint the cause of the cramps. Talk to your doctor about severe cramps; some causes can be serious and need treatment right away.