Sometimes cramping after your period isn’t serious. But if you he persistent pain from cramping that lasts longer than your menstrual cycle, it could be a sign that you he an underlying condition.
Here are possible causes for cramping after your period:
EndometriosisEndometriosis is a condition that happens when cells similar to uterus lining grow outside the uterus. This can cause painful cramping before, during, and after your period.
Cramping may be accompanied by inflammation and pelvic pain. The pain may be severe and can happen during or after sex or during bowel movements or urination. This ongoing pain may be felt in your lower back.
Symptoms of endometriosis include:
painful cramping before, during, and after menstruation that may be accompanied by lower back and abdominal painpain during or after sexpain during bowel movements or urinationexcessive bleeding during periods or between periodsinfertilityfatiguediarrhea or constipationbloatingnauseaEndometriosis may be treated with medication, hormone therapy, or surgery.
AdenomyosisAdenomyosis is a condition caused by abnormal tissue growth. Instead of forming in the uterine lining, tissue grows in the muscular wall of the uterus. Symptoms include:
hey or prolonged menstruationsevere cramping or pelvic pain during menstruationpain during intercourseblood clots during menstruationgrowth or tenderness in the lower abdomenAdenomyosis can be treated with medications. In severe cases, it can be treated with a hysterectomy.
Pelvic inflammatory diseasePelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is caused by a bacterial infection in the female reproductive organs. These bacteria can spread from your vagina to your uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes.
PID may cause no signs or only mild symptoms. Symptoms can include:
lower abdominal or pelvic painhey or abnormal vaginal dischargeabnormal uterine bleedingfeeling unwell, as if with the flupain or bleeding during intercoursefever, sometimes with chillspainful or difficult urinationbowel discomfortPID may be treated with antibiotics and temporarily oiding sexual activity.
Since PID is often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), any sexual partners should be examined and treated for any STIs to prevent reinfection.
Uterine fibroidsUterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that form on or in the uterus. Women with fibroids often don’t he any symptoms.
Symptoms of uterine fibroids are influenced by the location, size, and number of fibroids. Symptoms, when present, may include:
painful crampingirregular bleedinghey or prolonged menstruationfrequent or difficult urinationpelvic pressure or painconstipationinfertilitybackache or leg painsFibroids can be treated with medication, medical procedures, or surgery.
Ovarian cystsCysts that form inside the ovaries can cause post-period bleeding and cramping, too. Most ovarian cysts disappear naturally without any treatment. However, larger cysts may cause pelvic pain in the lower abdomen.
Your stomach may also feel full, hey, or bloated. See a doctor immediately if you he any sudden and severe abdominal or pelvic pain, fever, or vomiting.
Ovarian cysts can be treated with medication or surgery.
Cervical stenosisCervical stenosis occurs when the cervix has a small or narrow opening. This may hinder menstrual flow and can cause painful pressure in the uterus.
You can treat cervical stenosis with medication or surgery. Or, you may he an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted.
Ectopic pregnancyAn ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg attaches itself outside the uterus.
Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy may begin like a typical pregnancy. However, you may develop the following symptoms:
abnormal uterine bleedingsevere sharp lower abdominal or pelvic painsevere crampingshoulder painHey bleeding will usually occur if a fallopian tube ruptures. This may be followed by lightheadedness, fainting, and shock. Seek immediate medical care if you he any of these symptoms. A fallopian tube rupture is a medical emergency.
An ectopic pregnancy can be resolved with medication or surgery, but it should always be treated as an emergency.
ImplantationIf you become pregnant, your uterine lining may shed and cause light spotting. This is known as implantation bleeding. It usually occurs 7 to 14 days after conception.
Uterine cramping may also occur, especially in the first part of your pregnancy.
Take a home pregnancy test to confirm that you’re pregnant.
Ovulation cramps (mittelschmerz)Mittelschmerz is lower abdominal pain on one side that’s caused by ovulation. It may be short-lived or last up to 2 days. You may feel a dull, cramp-like sensation on one side. The pain may come on suddenly and feel very sharp.
You may also experience vaginal discharge or light bleeding.
See your doctor if the pelvic pain worsens, or if you also he a fever or nausea.