Many women will skip a period from time to time. Even when she knows it is not from a pregnancy, a woman can become worried about the lack of a period. Actually, the period may simply be delayed. However, if you get period pain but no period, you will be more anxiety and want to know what causes it. Keep reading on to find answers.

What Causes Period Pain but No Period?

1.   Common Causes

• Pregnancy. If cramps are noted around the time of menstruation but no bleeding occurs, there is a great chance that you might be pregnant. During the beginning stages of pregnancy, the uterus will get ready for the growth of the embryo and will become prepared for implantation. Implantation happens when the embryo affixes itself to the inner uterine lining. There may be cramping and spotting when this occurs. You may also get breast enlargement and tenderness, morning sickness, a darkening of the skin around the nipple, and nausea or vomiting. A home pregnancy test can tell you whether or not you are pregnant. Be sure to use a first morning urine specimen for the best test accuracy.
• Late Period. You may get period pain but no period when the period is just late and you are instead experiencing pain from ovulation. You don't get the period until exactly 14 days after you ovulate unless you are pregnant. When you get your period, you will often get other symptoms besides cramping, including gas and constipation. There are some women whose periods are always irregular. The period may be too early, too late, or may not occur at all during the month. This causes a miscalculation of the expected period date.
• Menopause. During the time of menopause, you can have periods that are irregular or periods that don't occur for many months. You can still experience menstrual cramps and feel as though you are having a period, but no bleeding comes. This occurs because the reproductive hormones are fluctuating and gradually decreasing in your system.
• Ectopic pregnancy. You can have a great deal of cramping without the onset of a period if you have an ectopic pregnancy. The embryo has implanted inside the fallopian tube and grows there instead of the uterus.
• Ovarian Cyst. There are a couple of types of cysts in the ovarian tissue that can result in period pain but no period. One of these is called a follicular cyst, which is the cyst from which the egg is supposed to be released. The other type of cyst is called a corpus luteum cyst. This is the cyst that occurs in the ovary when the egg has been released. These ovarian cysts don't often require any treatment and will resolve on their own after a couple of days.

2.   Underlying Concerns

• Eating Disorder. When you have an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia, you can have periods that are irregular or periods that do not occur at all.
• Autoimmune oophoritis. This is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body makes antibodies against its own tissues, in this case, the ovaries. The ovaries become damaged and eventually harden and shrunk from the attack by the antibodies. This can result in period pain without period and can strongly affect a woman's fertility status.
• Cervical stenosis. This is a rare condition in which there is too narrow opening in the cervix and the blood from a period cannot pass through the cervical opening. The periods are usually irregular and you can get severe cramping without actually experiencing any type of bleeding.
• Endometriosis. This is a medical condition in which the tissue of the lining of the uterus can be found outside of the uterus, instead, in the pelvis, on the ovaries, or on other abdominal structures. This can be extremely painful and can result in cramping of the lower abdomen from about 1-2 weeks prior to the actual beginning of the period.
• Ovarian Cancer. Ovarian cancer tends to be diagnosed late in its course because it can mimic other abdominal or pelvic disorders. Cramping without a period is one of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer, associated with irregular periods. You can also get swelling abdomen, pain or pressure-like feelings inside the abdomen, and an increase in urinary frequency.
• Other causes. What's more, you can get period pain but no period when you are under significant stress. Constipation and gas in the colon can result in a cramping type of pain that can mimic the type of cramping you get with your period. Some medications or some diseases like polycystic ovarian syndrome or premature ovarian failure can also cause cramping of the pelvis that is like the period pain.

How to Relieve This Discomfort

If you are experiencing cramping without a period, this can be very uncomfortable. There are, however, things you can do to alleviate the discomfort. Here are some tips:

• Lie down and rest when the cramping first comes on.
• Rub your abdominal and pelvic area gently.
• Engage in a minor type of exercise, including stretching exercises. When the body is stronger, you are better equipped to deal with the pain.
• Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as naproxen or ibuprofen.
• Take a warm bath or put a heating pad or heating pack on the pelvic area or across your back.
• Try drinking some herbal tea or warm water to ease the discomfort.
• Try acupuncture to relieve the pain.

If these home remedies are not helping, you should see your gynecologist or family doctor in order to find out what is wrong and to treat whatever is causing the pain.