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What are the Reasons for Having Cramping but No Period?

Autumn Rivers
Autumn Rivers

Though cramping is often a sign of menstruation, it can also be a symptom of other occurrences within the female body. For example, one major reason for cramping but no period is pregnancy, as sudden cramping and the lack of a period are often the very first signs of conception. Ovulation pain is another common reason for cramping without getting a period, since the period usually comes about two weeks after ovulation. The combination of gas or constipation, and either physical or mental distress can also result in cramps and the absence of a period.

There are a few reasons for cramping but no period during pregnancy. Once conception has occurred, the presence of certain hormones signals the body to keep the uterine lining intact instead of shedding it, which is why the period usually does not show up during pregnancy. Cramping often ensues as the embryo implants in the uterus, and it is usually called implantation cramping. While menstruation does not typically take place during pregnancy, implantation can cause spotting or even light bleeding as the embryo burrows deep into the lining, but it is usually so slight that few women notice it. Weeks into the pregnancy, the uterine muscles typically must contract to begin expanding in preparation for the growing fetus, which is another cause of cramping during pregnancy.

Gas and constipation may result in abdominal cramps.
Gas and constipation may result in abdominal cramps.

In some cases, cramping but no period can actually signal ovulation, which means that the body is just at another point in the menstrual cycle. Ovulation usually occurs about two weeks before the menstrual period shows up, during which time some women feel cramping on one side of the body. The cramping usually signals the release of the egg from the ovary, and typically lasts anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. Not every woman has a regular cycle, which means that the period and ovulation may be late, early, or nonexistent that month. This leads to some women miscalculating the expected start of their menstruation, resulting in worry over experiencing cramping but no period, when it is not even due yet.

Female reproductive system.
Female reproductive system.

Some reasons for experiencing cramping but no period involve areas of the body besides the reproductive system. For example, gas and constipation can result in painful cramps in the lower abdomen, typically confusing those who are not used to discomfort brought on by these issues. Of course, gas does not usually delay the period's arrival, but stress can. In fact, mental stress is just one issue that causes the period to be late, as physical stress on the body due to obesity, malnourishment, or a sudden extreme exercise program can also distress the body enough to skip a period.

Discussion Comments

anon997833

I'm 18 years old and I been having very sharp pains in my lower stomach. I've been having this feelings for two weeks. I have these cramps in the middle of the night and the early morning. Does this mean I'm pregnant?

anon978999

I am 15 and I have cramps and constipation my period is getting late. It's seven days now, except that everything is OK but I had stressed a lot. Also, I changed my sleeping patterns this month. I had fever and now I am suffering from a cold and cough. Could this be the reason?

anon964255

I had sex almost two weeks ago. When checking my dates and whatnot, I noticed that when the sex happened I had finished my most fertile point in ovulation.

I'm 19 and not planning on pregnancy, so I took the morning after pill just to be on the safe side of things. It's now the first day of my period, and I have no blood, but slight cramping every hour or so. I understand it is possible to be pregnant, but does the morning after pill also have this effect on some women?

anon951032

I'm 21. I'm 25 days late. I'm having cramps like I'm about to get my period, but normally when my cramps stop, I get my period but nothing is happening. What is this? Could I be pregnant?

johnswifey

I had my mirena removed in June 2013 and started my period on July 22. I had no period in August then in Sept through February, I had irregular periods that started in the beginning of September, then October, November, December, January and February towards the end of the month. Now it's the end of March and no period. I started having mild cramping today. Am I pregnant or what? any help would be appreciated.

anon938997

I had unprotected sex two weeks before my period. I have been cramping for a week now and I was supposed to get my period today and nothing. I do feel like it is coming but still no blood. Can I be pregnant?

anon925619

I'm 25 years old. I'm not sexually active, but have been taking the Depo-Provera birth control injection for almost three years now to remedy the extremely painful, extremely heavy periods I've had ever since I turned 11.

Although for the most part I don't have a period anymore (with the rare case of having a very light one now and then) I've been having occasional and very uncomfortable/painful period-like cramps over the last year that start very subtly at first and grow more intense over the course of maybe 15-30 minutes, until I literally feel nauseated.

Once the painful cramps reach a high peak of nauseating pain and tightness, they usually go away within the course of an hour. And even more strangely, sometimes they can go away in just a few minutes and tend to come and go either a few times a day or once a week.

I don't take any other prescription medications other than the Depo and an antidepressant. And the OTC pill Aleve is the only thing that's ever helped me take the edge off the pain.

It's really making me consider I might have endometriosis, but I'm no expert. Any clue?

anon356278

I'm 27 and never had a baby. I have been cramping on my left side for four days now. Now my back hurts. I took a test and it said I wasn't pregnant. Does anyone know what it could be?

anon346435

I have not had a period since late July. I have had some mild lower quad cramping but not like period cramps and have been moodier than normal. Could I be pregnant?

anon341435

I am 30. I am trying to get pregnant. Last month I got my periods in the second week of the month. This month, I have not had my period yet, but for the past few days, I have felt like vomiting and also every night I have cramps in my lower abdomen, like I am about to start my period. Please tell me what this signals. I am afraid. --Soni

anon340291

I'm 20 and a virgin and I have stomach cramps, especially in the abdominal area. There is slight blood, but it's not smoothly flowing blood. This is causing me heavy pain. Should I take any medicine?

anon339523

I'm 51 years old. I've had period cramps really bad for the past several days but no period yet. I'm three days late. I also have rather large fibroids and have developed this small red, clear-like bump on the side of my stomach and it is achy and hot. Am I experiencing menopause?

anon331650

@anon328786: Yes, it's highly possible she is if you all are sexually active. I'm 17 and I'm currently pregnant myself. I just found out and that cramping on the lower right side is how I knew to test. Wish you all luck!

You may have an infection, so you should go to the doctor if the problem persists. Good luck, sweetie!

anon328786

My girlfriend is having sharp cramps on the right bottom side of her stomach, and her period is in two weeks. This never happened to her before. Can it be that she's pregnant?

anon306953

You could have ovarian cysts.

anon305149

I got my period for the first time in July 2012 and it will be my fourth month missed. Three days ago I started having huge stomachs aches, I had trouble walking and it makes three days it's lasted. I've also been leaking clear liquid in my panties a lot a lot lightly. I'm thirteen years old and I've never been sexually active with a guy.

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    • Gas and constipation may result in abdominal cramps.
      By: Adam Gregor
      Gas and constipation may result in abdominal cramps.
    • Female reproductive system.
      By: chart
      Female reproductive system.
    • Pregnancy can be a reason for having cramps without a period.
      By: yanlev
      Pregnancy can be a reason for having cramps without a period.
    • Ovulation pain can cause cramping, but usually comes two weeks before a period.
      By: Ana Blazic Pavlovic
      Ovulation pain can cause cramping, but usually comes two weeks before a period.
    • Sudden cramping and no period are the first signs of conception.
      By: joshya
      Sudden cramping and no period are the first signs of conception.