Menstrual cramps without any period may or may not be a serious issue but you do feel restless. This story will help you understand the leading causes of this problem. Read on to know more.
Menstrual cramp is nothing but a spasm or pain experienced in the abdominal region and lower portion of the back. Medically, it is termed as dysmenorrhea. Usually, it starts one or two days before the period and subsides after the first two days of menstruation.
It is a normal premenstrual syndrome (PMS) for many women and there is nothing wrong with it. This happens due to contraction of the uterus wall for shedding its inner lining. It becomes a matter of concern for them when they feel the cramps but without a period.
Why Do You Get Cramps But No Period?
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be one of the reasons why you are getting cramps without any period. After fertilization, the embryo gets attached to the wall of the uterus. Cramps may be experienced during implantation. Cramps are quite common as muscles of the uterine wall contract in order to create space within the uterus for the fetus.
A pregnancy test within seven days of the missed period will confirm whether the woman is pregnant or not. If the result of the test is negative, then the cramp is related to some underlying health conditions other than pregnancy.
Menopause
When you are approaching your menopause, you tend to have irregular menstruation and her period may even stop for a few months. In those months, you may experience cramping at the time of your scheduled menstrual cycle but no period. It just indicates decreasing level of reproductive hormones in your body.
You do not have to undergo any treatment to regularize your period.
Ovarian Cyst
There are two different forms of cysts that are formed inside the ovaries. One is the follicle cyst where an ovarian follicle fails to release an egg at the time of ovulation and its size keeps on increasing. This cyst often disappears on its own in 2-3 months. Another form of cyst is known as corpus luteum cysts which is a fluid-filled cyst. It also disappears after a couple of weeks or so.
In general, these cysts are not malignant in nature. Some cases of ovarian cysts do not require any treatment at all. In others, doctors may prescribe hormonal birth control pills or hormonal supplements to restore hormonal balance in the body.
Autoimmune Oophoritis
The autoimmune oophoritis gives rise to an inflammatory condition where the immune system starts attacking its own cells by mistake. As a result, the ovaries shrink and harden up. Production of reproductive hormones goes down and may even lead to infertility. In this condition, you may get menstruation symptoms without any bleeding.
It is difficult to treat this condition as most of the immunosuppressive drugs have failed to show effective results.
Cervical Stenosis
Abdominal cramps without menstruation can be a symptom of cervical stenosis in which the opening of the cervix is so narrow that it restricts menstrual flow. As a result, you have menstrual irregularity and you experience severe cramps before period. Such cramps are felt during the period too. In some rare cases, a lump may form in the lower abdomen due to pus build up in the womb.
Treatment for this problem involves dilation of the cervix opening with the help of a special device.
Ovarian Cancer
It is very difficult to identify as the symptoms of ovarian cancer have many similarities with many other not so serious health problems like irritable bowel syndrome.
Some of the prevalent symptoms other than the irregularity in menstruation cycle are pelvic pain, the pressure in the lower abdomen and frequent urgency for urination. Another identifiable symptom is abnormal swelling of the abdomen that makes the clothes tight in the middle part of the body.
If the cancer is detected at an early stage, then it can be successfully treated with the help of various forms of cancer treatments like surgical removal of ovaries and uterus, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, etc.
If you are facing cramps but no period for the first time, then take rest and wait and watch for some time. Try to keep yourself stress-free as a stressful mind can delay the period even further. Those who experience it for more than a month should consult the doctor for proper diagnosis.
Finally, we would like to say that every woman who is having severe cramps without any bleeding should not assume that she is suffering from ovarian cancer. It is just one of the possibilities.
Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.