But what happens when you experience the cramps without the actual arrival of your monthly visitor? It can be confusing and frustrating, leaving you wondering what’s going on down there.
We all know the drill – cramps, bloating, mood swings – the not-so-fun signs that your period is about to arrive.
Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, occur when the muscles in your uterus contract. These contractions help shed the lining of your uterus (the endometrium) during your period. Prostaglandins, hormone-like substances, play a key role in these contractions, and higher levels of prostaglandins can lead to more intense cramps.
