On a scale of 1 to “I want to die,” period cramps fall pretty close to the latter end of the emotional spectrum.
Over 90 percent of women say they experience at least one symptom of premenstrual syndrome, otherwise known (not-so-fondly) as PMS, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. An informal poll of the women in your life will likely tell you cramping is at the top of that list, and up to 20 percent of women deal with menstrual cramping so severe it actually disrupts their daily life, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
But what if you’re experiencing cramps but no period? PMS cramps typically occur in the five to 11 days before menstruation. So if you’re feeling the same sensations—you know, like someone grabbing your insides with a fist and twisting—but you’re not about to get your period, there could be other pelvic issues at play. “I advise seeing your gyno for worsening, recurring, persistent, or worrisome cramps, particularly if they fall outside your menstrual cycle,” says Alyssa Dweck, an ob-gyn and author of The Complete A to Z for Your V. (Find more inner calm and build strength in just minutes a day with WH’s With Yoga DVD!)
Cramps during PMS are bad enough, and no one should have to suffer through having cramps outside of their period. So if there’s no way you can pin your cramps on PMS (or if you’re just not sure), head to your ob-gyn to determine if one of these five things is to blame. Plus, what you can do about them to make the cramping end.