Cramps But No Period Yet

A woman begins menstruating around 11 - 13 years of age. Normally, she is likely to get 11 - 13 periods every year. However, you may get fewer or more periods, depending upon your individual health. Often, certain external or internal factors cause disturbance in the normal menstrual cycle. In fact, after the onset of menses, it is several years before the hormones balance and result in a regular menstrual cycle. The hormonal imbalance can often lead to delayed periods. Menstrual cycle is usually preceded with menstrual cramps. However, sometimes you may have cramps but no period.

Menstrual Cramps During Period

During menstruation, the uterine muscles contract in order to expel the uterine lining. Prostaglandins are the chemicals similar to hormones, which trigger the uterine muscle contraction which leads to pain. Menstrual cramps are characterized by a dull or throbbing pain in lower abdomen, which travels to lower back and thighs. Often, this pain is painful enough to interfere with normal activities of the individual.

Menstrual cramps are basically of two types - primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is normal and begins within 6 months to 1 year after the onset of menses. However, secondary dysmenorrhea often indicates certain serious underlying problems such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

Cramping without Period: An Early Sign of Pregnancy

Many women who expect their period to arrive on time are often baffled when, they experience all the period-like symptoms, only without a period! Cramps are the most common premenstrual symptoms which mark the onset of menses. Naturally, women who experience cramps before menses, expect their period within 2 - 3 days. However, in spite of experiencing menstrual cramps, along with other premenstrual symptoms (PMS), there is no sign of period.

Cramps but no period yet is therefore considered as a possibility of pregnancy. After the implantation, the uterus begins to prepare for pregnancy. Cramps are the result when, uterine muscles contract to make more space in the uterus, to accommodate the growing fetus. It is therefore necessary to confirm the possibility of pregnancy. A pregnancy test at home with the help of a pregnancy kit available at the drug store is enough to confirm the possibility of pregnancy. This test can be taken any day after you miss your period to get accurate results. Taking a test too early may result in false negative result. Sore, enlarged breasts, sharp sense of smell, darkening of areolas, morning sickness are a few other pregnancy symptoms to watch out for, in case you experience cramps but no period.

Other Causes for Cramps But No Period

There are many reasons for missing period. However, all of them may not contribute to cramps but no period. Yet, some of the causes of missing period are given below.

• Stress or similar psychological conditions may delay period by few days to several weeks.
• A major change in life, such as changing job, shifting home, relocation etc., can lead to missed period.
• Certain illnesses and their medications can disturb the menstrual cycle and delay it by a few weeks.
• Eating disorders such as obesity and anorexia highly contribute to irregular menstrual cycle.
• Menopause brings about substantial changes in menstrual cycle, both in terms of frequency as well as duration and nature.
• Other diseases which contribute to irregular menses are Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or ovarian cyst, Premature Ovarian Failure (POF), ectopic pregnancy, Bulimia etc.

The reason for cramps but no period can be myriad and not all of them may be of serious consequence. Also, it is possible to have cramps and normal periods, even though you are pregnant, strange but true. Lastly, it is wise to see a gynecologist as early as possible, if you do not get your period even after experiencing cramps for days. Since, this is not something you can afford to ignore.