The opposite condition, hypothyroidism, or Hashimoto's thyroiditis, characterized by a slower metabolism, fatigue, hair loss, and in some cases, weight gain, tends to be more common in white women.īe sure to check in with your doctor if you’re experiencing other symptoms of a thyroid condition, including sudden unexplained weight loss or gain, shaking, heart palpitations, or significant fatigue. "Asian and Pacific Islander-identifying women had a 78 percent increased risk of Grave's disease compared to white women," adds Dr. Hyperthyroidism, where the body produces too much thyroid hormones and can cause increased anxiety, insomnia, and tremors, affects Black women twice as much as white women. Akhunji, who points to this 2016 study.ħ Ways Your Thyroid Messes With Your Body "Conditions like hyperthyroidism, or Grave's disease, if it is caused by autoimmune factors, is more prevalent in Black and Asian communities in the U.S., especially among females," says Dr. It's common for thyroid conditions to be misdiagnosed or to have a delay in diagnosis, especially among certain minority populations, explains Yasmin Akhunji, MD, an endocrinologist with Paloma Health. And spotting or cramping may occur because the lining of your uterus has built up but hasn’t shed because you’re not ovulating. Moss.īecause your thyroid regulates your brain function, mood swings that you thought were part of PMS may be related to your neurologic function, she explains. As a result, you may you go a long stretch without having your period while still experiencing period-like cramps, adds Dr. If your thyroid gets out of whack, your cycles can become irregular, says Dr. Your thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, regulates many of your body’s functions, including your metabolism and menstrual cycle. Many of the symptoms of early pregnancy-including breast tenderness, mood swings, fatigue, and (you guess it) cramping-mimic the symptoms you typically have before and during your period.
If you've had unprotected sex in the last month, were a bit lax about taking your pill, or rely on the pullout method for birth control, it's worth taking a pregnancy test. Otherwise, it’s also time to see your doc if you skip more than three cycles in a row, says Dr. While skipping a period every now and then is usually nothing to worry about, if you have a fever, significant nausea or vomiting, or pain that you can’t control with simple OTC medications or that doesn’t improve within a week, check in with your doctor right away. An anovulatory cycle can happen randomly on occasion, or it may be related to another issue, like nutrition, body weight, or you're getting close to menopause. And if you do not release an egg during a cycle, you won't actually get your period (but you could still get the cramps).Īnovulation is more common than you might think: "Ten to 18 percent of all regular cycles are anovulatory,” says Chicago-based ob-gyn Jessica Shepherd, MD.
AnovulationĮvery once in a while, your body goes through all of the hormonal changes associated with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) but doesn't actually release an egg that month. (It's always wise to be your own health advocate!)īut it's helpful to get familiar with the possible causes, so keep reading for a comprehensive list to help you narrow down what might be fueling your cramps. The thing is, because there are so many different reasons behind cramps with no period, you should never be shy about bringing them up with your doctor if you're concerned. What’s more, some physical abnormalities in your uterus and ovaries can also cause cramping that feels like typical symptoms of PMS, she adds. “Hormonal changes related to ovulation can affect some of the same pathways in your brain that might be affected by other medical conditions, causing mood swings that feel similar to your period but aren’t related to ovulation or menses,” says Chailee Moss, MD, an ob-gyn at Johns Hopkins Medicine. There's a laundry list of reasons (and some are really no big deal) behind why those tell-tale menstrual cramps are plaguing you, but there's no menstruation along with 'em. In other words, you’re suffering from all of the classic period symptoms but your actual period is totally MIA.įirst: don't freak. You’ve been seriously bloated, moody, and tired-and you’ve got monster period cramps.but no period.