Why Do We Get Cramps Between Periods?

As women, why do we get cramps? Often, you experience cramping during your menstrual cycle. But what could it mean if you experience cramps between periods? Here are just a few of the reasons why you cramp when it's not that time of the month!

1. Why Do We Get Cramps? It Could be Fibroids

Fibroids are benign tumors that develop within your uterine cavity, the walls of the uterus, or as attachments to the uterus, connected by stalks. When you develop these growths, you may experience symptoms such as heavy periods, pelvic pain, and cramps, even between periods. If this is the cause of your discomfort, you can get rid of your cramps (and other symptoms) by treating your fibroids with UFE, a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure.

2. Digestion Issues

You may expect constipation to leave you with stomach aches. But it can also cause cramping on any day of the week or month. Want to get rid of constipation cramps? Drink lots of water, increase your fiber intake, get regular exercise and talk to your doctor if these lifestyle measures don't resolve the issue.

3. Cysts

Just like fibroids, cysts are benign growths. But while fibroids are made of muscular tissue, cysts are filled with fluid and form on your ovaries, not within or on your uterus. Plus, cyst development is tied to your menstrual cycle, while we don't know exactly why fibroids develop. And, while fibroid and cyst symptoms sometimes differ, both can cause cramping outside of your monthly flow. (Typically, cyst-related cramps will be localized to one side of the body.)

4. Sexually Transmitted Infections Could Be to Blame

Certain infections, including Chlamydia, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), and Gonorrhea may all cause cramps and abdominal pain. So, if you've experienced cramps outside of your period and may have been exposed to an STI, speak to your doctor right away to see if you need to be tested.

Not sure why you're cramping between periods? Think it could be fibroids? Schedule a comprehensive evaluation with our Dallas fibroid specialists. With our diagnostic ultrasound, we can help determine the cause of your cramps and come up with the appropriate treatment plan.

Sources: healthline