Period pains but no period, is there an explanation?

At Puissante, we continue to expand our product range to offer you wellness solutions : food supplements and... Products designed to meet women's needs . To develop them, we focused on your real expectations and feedback: the symptoms that concern you, your worries about the menstrual cycle or hormones, and all the other unanswered questions.

Among them, one topic comes up often: period pain without periods.

How can you explain experiencing menstrual cramps without your period starting or outside of your menstrual cycle? To answer this, we conducted an investigation.

What do period pains feel like?

If you're among the 10% of French women who don't suffer from period pain , you're lucky! But according to Inserm , 9 out of 10 menstruating women (between 18 and 49 years old) experience painful periods . For 40% of them, these cramps are severe and restrict their daily lives.

Chances are you already know how to recognize the characteristic pain of menstruation . But just in case (or for the men reading this), here's what it feels like:

• cramps in the lower abdomen, in the area between the navel and the groin,

• a feeling of heaviness and swelling in the same area,

• pain that can be acute, more diffuse, continuous or pulsating.

Cramps or contractions are sometimes accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, fatigue, or digestive problems. Most of the time, menstrual pain is linked to a perfectly normal hormonal fluctuation during the cycle. But how can we explain that it occurs independently of menstruation? Are there non-hormonal causes? We'll explain.

Why do you experience period pains without having your period?

Pregnancy: the leading cause of period-like pain without periods

If you have period cramps but no period , your first thought is to consider the possibility of pregnancy. Even if you're extremely careful with contraception, there's no such thing as zero risk (well, unless you're abstinent).

In the early weeks of pregnancy, cramps in the lower abdomen are very similar to period pains. The uterus gradually stretches to allow the embryo to implant. Also pay attention to other symptoms : unusual fatigue, breast pain, breast swelling, mood swings, nausea… all of these should alert you!

To be absolutely sure, go get a test from a pharmacy and have a blood test done.

What if it's your premenstrual syndrome?

The infamous premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can be quite a handful. If you're experiencing period cramps without your period actually starting , it might just be a few days late. Meanwhile, PMS drags on... what a joy.

Period cramps can occur a few days before your period starts. Your uterus begins to contract gradually to shed the lining of the uterus, which will be expelled during your period.

According to Inserm , 20 to 40% of women are affected by PMS . 2 to 6% of them experience its most severe form, premenstrual dysphoria . In practical terms, it's once again a matter of hormones. This time, it's progesterone that's causing the problem; it's the hormone involved in the second half of the menstrual cycle ( after ovulation ).

If you're feeling down, tired, in a bad mood or even downright depressed: you're probably experiencing PMS .

Above all, don't downplay your condition and pain . Make an appointment with a doctor to discuss your symptoms and consider supplements to support your body during these difficult days.

Abdominal cramps: what if you're constipated?

Sometimes, constipation pain can be remarkably similar to period cramps. It's not something we always think about, but it could explain why you have so much pain in your lower abdomen even though you're not menstruating at all.

To remedy this, you will need to adjust your diet : eat more fiber (vegetables and whole grains) and drink enough water. Simply put, you can adopt all the good practices of an anti-inflammatory diet that protect your digestive organs, and in particular your gut, the most fragile of all.

These cramps can also be linked to irritable bowel syndrome : a chronic disorder that also causes significant digestive problems: bloating, constipation, diarrhea… if you are affected, you will need multidisciplinary follow-up to alleviate the symptoms.

Period pains but no period: endometriosis

Another possibility to explore if you have period pain but no period is endometriosis or adenomyosis . This chronic disease causes sometimes very severe cramps in the lower abdomen, at any time during the menstrual cycle .

As its name suggests, endometriosis affects the endometrium (the uterine lining). It detaches and migrates outside the uterus to lodge in neighboring organs. In the case of adenomyosis , the endometrial fragments lodge directly in the uterine muscle.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), endometriosis affects 10% of women of reproductive age. Beyond menstrual pain, this condition manifests as a range of physical and psychological symptoms , which can be particularly debilitating. If you are affected or have any doubts, seek support from a team of professionals.

Currently, there is no drug treatment to cure endometriosis, but solutions exist to soothe cramps, support the body, and help you regain overall balance.

Are you familiar with pelvic inflammatory disease?

Pelvic inflammatory disease ( PID) is caused by a bacterium that attacks the reproductive organs, then results in a systemic infection. The ultimate thrill.

It often appears following an untreated STI, for example when chlamydia or gonorrhea become widespread.

Among the most common symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease are pain and cramps in the lower abdomen at any time of the menstrual cycle. These sensations are particularly severe during menstruation, with some women finding it difficult to stand. They also report pain during sexual intercourse and discomfort in the genital area (irritation, burning, itching).

The good news is that pelvic inflammatory disease is very well managed . The winning combination is antibiotic treatment plus good intimate hygiene , and that's all there is to it.

How to soothe period pain… even if you don't have your period

We're not going to let you leave without giving you some solutions to ease your period pain.

Menstrual cramps are caused by prostaglandins, hormones produced at the end of the menstrual cycle that trigger the well-known uterine contractions . PGE2 (a type of prostaglandin) has an inflammatory effect and is responsible for your pain. This is why, in cases of period pain, anti-inflammatory treatments are always prescribed as a first-line treatment.

Beyond this medication-based approach, a few good habits can also relieve your menstrual pain, even if you don't have your period :

• Having a diet rich in omega-3 and low in omega-6 helps promote the action of beneficial prostaglandins.

• Having a good intake of magnesium helps lower the levels of bad prostaglandins (dark chocolate is your ally).

• Soothe contractions with different sources of heat such as a hot water bottle, a shower or a nice hot bath.

• Massage the painful area with a massage oil or essential oil that you like.

• Having an orgasm (yes, yes) produces lots of endorphins and naturally relaxes the area.

Do you have period pain but no period? There's definitely an explanation! Listen to your body's signals and explore different treatment options. Take back control of your menstrual cycle and reclaim your power!