Can you have period pain when you aren’t on your period?

It is possible to experience the symptoms of your period without actually having your period – including the following symptoms:

• Stomach cramps

• Feeling bloated 

• Mood swings

• Spotty face

It can be a sign of irregular periods – in certain circumstances, it may mean you are going to have a period, but not necessarily at the time, you were expecting to. For example, if you have taken the emergency morning-after pill, this can interfere with your normal menstrual cycle. It may also be a sign that your reproductive organs are experiencing problems.

These symptoms might not be related to your periods at all – there can be several causes and so potentially it is possible to have the symptoms you would expect to have when you are on your period, but not have a period at all. Instead, you may have similar symptoms which are caused by something else. 

What else can cause symptoms like period pain?

Some other causes of period-like pain are:

What you should do about these symptoms – if you are experiencing symptoms such as period pains at a time during your cycle that you are not expecting to or you have cramps but no period, you should seek medical attention. Your doctor will be able to help diagnose the cause and suggest the next course of action required. 

You may need an STI test – if you know that you do not have one of the above conditions, consider an STI test. STIs such as chlamydia can cause abdominal cramping/pain and bleeding between periods. You can get an STI test from: 

• Your GP 

• Local GUM clinic 

• Sexual health clinic 

• Some pharmacies

How can you tell whether you’re having period pain or not?

It can be hard to tell between period pain and other symptoms – for some women, it can be hard to distinguish between period pain and other conditions. One tell-tale sign can be the length of your cramps. For example, during your period you may experience cramping for a couple of days or for the duration of your period. Whereas if you’re pregnant for example, you may experience cramping which lasts a few weeks to a few months.

Symptoms which may indicate other health conditions include:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Your periods are heavier or lighter

• High temperature (fever)

• Excessive hair growth

• Weight gain

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms you should consult your doctor. 

Timing might be a clue – usually, period pain lasts for several days. It normally begins when the bleeding starts and may continue for a few days or for the whole time you bleed. Teenage girls can sometimes experience more period pain when they first start their periods. It is hard to use the timing of your usual periods to rule out the period pain. This is because you may experience pain both at the time of your period and during the middle of your cycle when you ovulate.

Can you still treat period pain if you aren’t having your period?

You should get the problem diagnosed first – before you begin treating your symptoms you should get a diagnosis from your doctor to make sure it is just period pain. For example, conditions such as anovulation, PCOS, untreated STIs can lead to infertility or further health complications. Another condition which needs emergency medical attention is an ectopic pregnancy. This is where a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb such as in the fallopian tubes. If this occurs, it is not possible for the pregnancy to survive and it will need to be removed by medicine or surgery. The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include:

• Symptoms of pregnancy, i.e. a missed period

• Tummy pain

• Vaginal bleeding

• Discomfort when you go to the toilet

• Shoulder pain

If you are worried that you might have an ectopic pregnancy you must see a doctor urgently.

Once you know the problem, then you can try to treat it – if you have been diagnosed with period pain there are treatment methods available to help relieve the symptoms:

• Painkillers – ibuprofen and aspirin can help to manage period pain. These have been shown to be more effective at managing the pain than paracetamol, although some women prefer the latter. Your doctor can prescribe stronger painkillers if you find these are not effective at managing your symptoms. Usually, naproxen or codeine are sufficient for period pain.

• Heat – try placing a hot water bottle over the painful area. Remember to wrap the hot water bottle in a tea towel before placing it on your skin prevent burning. 

• Warm bath or shower – some women find that a warm bath or shower can help to relieve the pain caused by your period. 

• Lifestyle changes – lifestyle changes can help to relieve the symptoms of your period including pain and mood changes.

• Quit smoking – women who smoke tend to have more painful periods than those who don’t. If you smoke, try to give up using smoking aids not only will this help to reduce your pain but will also improve your overall health.

• Exercise – keeping active such as swimming, walking or cycling can help reduce the pain associated with your period. Yoga has also been shown to be effective in managing painful periods. 

Does period pain mean that my contraception isn’t working?

Not necessarily – you can still get period pain with many contraceptives that are working properly. On the other hand, getting an unexpected period could mean your contraceptive has failed. If you are worried you may be pregnant, you can purchase a pregnancy test from most supermarkets and pharmacies. Alternatively, your doctor will be able to confirm a pregnancy.

You may still experience period pain even if you are using contraception – some methods won’t help you manage period pain, including:

• Condoms

• Copper contraceptive coil

Some contraception can reduce period pain – using hormonal contraception like the pill can help to reduce the pain you experience during your periods. In some cases, you may still get cramping but it may be less severe than before because the pill contains hormones which induce changes in the body to prevent pregnancy. 

You contraception could be giving you side effects – if you’re experiencing any side effects from your contraception, you should consult your doctor. Side effects may include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Missed periods

• Low libido (sex drive)

• Headaches and migraine

• Bleeding between periods

• Breast tenderness

Sources

Hightower, M. (1997) Effects of exercise participation on menstrual pain and symptoms. Women Health; 26(4): 15-27.

Insulite Health. (2018). Excessive menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea and PCOS. [online] Available at: https://pcos.com/excessive-menstrual-pain-or-dysmenorrhea-and-pcos/ [accessed 10th August 2018].

Merrifield, S. (2017). Period pain but no period? What stress could have to do with it? [online] Available at: https://thefemedic.com/menstruation/period-pain-no-period-stress/ [accessed 10th August 2018].

Refaat, B., Dalton, E. and Ledger, W. L. (2015). Ectopic pregnancy secondary to in vitro fertilisation-embryo transfer: pathogenic mechanisms and management strategies. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology; 13(30).

Stones, R. W., Cheong, Y. C. and Howard, F. M. (2005). Interventions for treating chronic pelvic pain in women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Yonglitthipagon, P. et al (2017). Effect of yoga on the menstrual pain, physical fitness, and quality of life of young women with primary dysmenorrhea. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies; 21: 840-846.