Cramps are very common before and during menstruation, but they can also occur after the period has ended.
This is not usually a cause for concern, but it can indicate an underlying condition.

In this article we cover 10 possible causes of cramps after menstruation:

ovulation
pregnancy
ectopic pregnancy
uterine incapacity
endometriosis
adenomyosis
ovarian cysts
uterine fibroids
cervical stenosis
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
We also look at symptoms and ways to relieve the pain caused by period cramps.

What causes cramps after your period?


Cramps after a period may be caused by an underlying condition, or may be a temporary symptom.

Cramps that occur directly before and during the period are caused by the uterus contracting as it sheds its lining. This is called primary dysmenorrhea, and it usually lasts for 48 to 72 hours.

Cramps caused by anything other than menstruation are called secondary dysmenorrhea. They can occur at any time in the menstrual cycle.

Secondary dysmenorrhea may be normal, or it may need to be diagnosed and treated by a doctor or specialist.

Below are some possible causes of cramps that occur after menstruation.

1. Ovulation
A woman may feel cramps during ovulation — when an ovary releases an egg. Ovulation occurs around the middle of the menstrual cycle. These cramps are called mittelschmerz.

Ovulation is a part of most regular menstrual cycles. A person may or may not be able to feel it happening.

Ovulation cramps often affect one side of the body. They may last for a few minutes or a couple of days and will go away on their own.

2. Pregnancy
Mild uterine cramps can be a very early sign of pregnancy. These cramps are associated with implantation — when a fertilized egg or embryo attaches itself to the uterus lining.

Implantation-related cramps are mild and temporary, and often accompany dark red or brown spotting, known as implantation bleeding. This bleeding occurs around the time that the next period would be due.

Other symptoms of pregnancy may occur during this time, such as breast heaviness, increased urination, and mood changes.

The best way to test for pregnancy is to take a test at home or in a doctor’s office.

3.Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself anywhere outside the uterus.

Ectopic pregnancies begin like regular pregnancies, but a woman may soon experience severe cramping and pain in the uterus.

Other symptoms may include:

abnormal bleeding
sharp, often severe pelvic pain
shoulder pain
nausea
The pressure involved in an ectopic pregnancy can cause the fallopian tube to rupture. This can result in heavy bleeding, which may lead to fainting, shock, or feeling lightheaded. A ruptured fallopian tube requires emergency medical care.

Ectopic pregnancies are not common, occurring in around 2 percent of pregnancies.

4. Uterine incapacity
In some cases, an amount of blood will remain in the uterus after the period has ended. When this happens, the uterus contracts to remove the extra blood.

These contractions can cause cramping, and may also result in brown or black spotting as the old blood is pushed out.

Symptoms will usually go away within a few days, as the body gets rid of the leftover blood.

5. Endometriosis


Endometriosis may cause period cramps, and is a condition that needs to be managed carefully.

Endometriosis is a condition that causes uterine tissue to grow outside the uterus. Endometriosis can be managed, but there is currently no cure.

Associated pain may occur 1 to 2 weeks before menstruation. Pain can be unusually intense 1 to 2 days before the period begins.

Other symptoms of endometriosis include:

heavy periods
painful ovulation
pain in the lower abdomen or back
pain during or after sex
Constant pelvic pain or abdominal cramps that get worse during menstruation should be discussed with a doctor

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