Many health conditions, including pregnancy and endometriosis, can cause cramping similar to menstrual cramps. You can also experience additional symptoms.

Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) can result from hormonal fluctuations and can occur before bleeding begins or at other points during the menstrual cycle, such as ovulation. It can feel like squeezing or intense pressure in the pelvic area, similar to a mild contraction.

However, similar pain can also result from other health conditions, including those affecting the reproductive and body systems.

Keep reading to learn more about the potential causes of abdominal cramping without a period.

You may experience cramps at other times in your menstrual cycle. This can include:

Cramps before your period

Some people who menstruate experience cramps in the days before their period begins. That’s because hormone levels shift before bleeding begins to cause endometrial tissue to shed.

This can cause:

  • early menstrual cramps
  • pain from other health conditions like endometriosis and uterine fibroids

Ovulation pain

You can also experience pain during ovulation when an egg is released from an ovary. This typically occurs around day 14 of your menstrual cycle.

If an egg becomes fertilized by a sperm, you may experience cramping pain when the fertilized egg implants into your uterine wall.

This implantation pain is an early symptom of pregnancy. You may also have other symptoms, like:

  • sore breasts
  • nausea or vomiting
  • headache
  • fatigue
  • food cravings and aversions
  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • slight bleeding

If you think you may be pregnant, you can take a pregnancy test to find out for sure. It’s best to follow up with a gynecologist if you think you may be pregnant to confirm your results and discuss your options.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. It can cause sharp waves of abdominal or pelvic pain, usually on one side of the abdomen, and requires emergency care.

It can also cause:

  • shoulder or neck pain
  • vaginal spotting and bleeding
  • dizziness or fainting
  • pressure in the rectum

Ectopic pregnancy is usually treated with an injected medication called methotrexate to prevent the cells from bursting and causing a severe, life threatening infection. The medication causes symptoms similar to miscarriage.

Other treatment options include surgery.

Accessing ectopic pregnancy care

In some of the United States, it may be difficult to access care for ectopic pregnancy until the situation becomes immediately life threatening.

While many states have exceptions for abortion in the case of ectopic pregnancy, some states have banned methotrexate, which is used in abortion care. This, along with other laws, may prevent or delay care for ectopic pregnancy.

Depending on the severity and timeframe of your situation, you may decide to travel to get care, if this is possible for you.

Endometriosis can cause inflammation and cramping pain a week or more before your period begins.

Endometriosis causes tissue similar to endometrial tissue (which normally grows in the uterus) to grow on other organs, such as the:

  • ovaries
  • fallopian tubes
  • tissues holding the uterus in place
  • outer surface of the uterus
  • bowels
  • abdomen

The hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle that cause endometrial tissue to shed also affect the endometrial-like tissue growing in other places. However, it’s more difficult for this tissue to shed and leave the body.

Treatment for endometriosis can depend on how severe the symptoms are and may include hormonal medications, at-home care, or surgery to remove endometrial tissue.

Uterine fibroids refer to benign abnormal growths on the uterus.

Depending on the size and specific location, you may experience:

  • pain in your pelvis or lower back
  • increased menstrual cramping
  • pain during intercourse

If you’re experiencing pain due to fibroids, it’s best to talk with a doctor. Treatment may include removing the growths or taking medications.

Cysts growing on an ovary can cause cramping pain before or during your period. They may cause other symptoms:

  • bloating or swelling
  • painful bowel movements
  • painful during intercourse
  • pain in the lower back or thighs

Ovarian cysts may go away on their own. Other times, they may require surgical removal if your symptoms are severe.

It’s also possible for an ovarian cyst to rupture or cause the ovary to twist. If this happens, you may experience:

  • severe or sharp pain
  • fever
  • faintness or dizziness
  • rapid breathing

You usually need emergency medical attention if you experience one of these complications.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) usually results from a bacterial infection or certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It causes inflammation in the:

  • fallopian tubes
  • ovaries
  • cervix
  • uterus

It can cause painful cramping in the lower abdomen or upper abdomen. It can also cause other symptoms that may include:

A urinary tract infection (UTI) develops when bacteria enter the urinary tract. It can cause cramping pain in the abdomen or pelvis, but it usually causes other symptoms as well. These can include:

  • upper back pain
  • urinary urgency
  • pain when urinating
  • blood in urine (hematuria)

UTIs typically require antibiotics to resolve.

UTIs can also be an emergency, especially if you have flu-like symptoms or have a weakened immune system due to pregnancy, another medical condition, or a medication that suppresses the immune system.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can also cause cramping abdominal pain, usually before a bowel movement. IBS is a chronic condition that causes digestive issues, including changes in the form or frequency of bowel movements. Other symptoms can include:

  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • gas and bloating
  • pain that’s worse after eating certain foods, including gas-producing foods like broccoli or Brussels sprouts

Treatment can depend on the type of IBS.

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix that usually results from a blockage or an infection. It can cause intense cramping abdominal pain in the belly button area or the right lower quadrant of your abdomen. It often becomes more severe over a few hours.

This pain may:

  • begin suddenly
  • get worse with movement or coughing
  • wake you from sleep
  • occur with a low grade fever, which is a fever between 99.5°F and 100.9°F (37.5°C and 38.3°C)

Appendicitis is an emergency. If not treated promptly, the appendix can rupture and release bacteria into the abdominal cavity. This complication is life threatening.

Treatment usually involves antibiotics and may also include surgery.

If you have cramps without menstrual bleeding, it may mean that your period is about to begin, you’re ovulating, or you’re pregnant. But it can also result from other health conditions affecting the reproductive system and others affecting other body systems.

If your pain doesn’t go away or worsens, you may need more urgent medical attention.

Some causes of abdominal or pelvic cramping, such as appendicitis, UTIs, and ectopic pregnancy, can be serious. If you think you may have one of these causes of cramping, it’s best to talk with a healthcare professional or seek urgent medical care.