What do dull cramps mean

If you consistently get inexplicable cramping, especially on one side at a time, I recommend a transvaginal ultrasound. This is an imaging process that goes through the vagina to look at the ovaries. This can help see any cysts or problems with the ovary.

Most ovarian cysts are benign, but they can become problematic if the cysts become too enlarged or there are a number of them. When the mass of the ovaries is too large, it can lead to ovarian torsion. This is when the ovary twists, cutting off blood supply. This can be life-threatening. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Endometriosis is a disease where the tissue that lines the uterus grows in other parts of the body.

That tissue is still sensitive to hormone fluctuations, so it mimics the same swelling and bleeding that happens in the uterus throughout the menstrual cycle.

Women with endometriosis can feel menstrual-like cramps throughout the month. These usually occur in the pelvis area, lower back, lower abdomen, and even the upper thighs. This cramping can often be so severe that walking can feel like a chore. For other women, though, the cramping may come and go in waves. Endometriosis pain varies dramatically from woman to woman, which can often make it challenging to diagnose.

If you experience severe cramping but no period throughout the month, you may have endometriosis. Check out this article to learn more about the causes and holistic treatments of endometriosis. A rare but possible cause of cramps without a period could be ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer can cause abdominal or pelvic pain that may radiate into the legs or back. This can include constipation, bloating, swollen abdomen, loss of appetite, and reduced urination. In some cases, ovarian cancer may also cause spotting, which might lead you to believe the cramping is something else.

PID can be caused by a variety of infections, like E. Women with PID may not have any signs or symptoms. When symptoms do present women experience extreme cramping without a period, along with discomfort and pain with sex.

Fever and vaginal discharge are other signs you have an infection. IUDs put women at a greater risk for pelvic inflammatory disease. The strings of the IUD actually aid a bacterial infection in making its way into your reproductive organs. If you have unexplained cramping and a fever, seek medical attention immediately. Cramping can also have a non-gynecological origin.

The colon and sex organs are in close proximity within the body, so pain in one can often translate to pain in the other. For example, if you identify that certain foods trigger cramps then that point to a gut issue, which gives you a clue as to where to investigate first.

If you have cramping after eating or other bowel-related symptoms, like abdominal bloating and constipation, you may have a case of SIBO, which is commonly misdiagnosed as IBS. This can be diagnosed with an at home test that you can order yourself or ask your doctor to order. If you experience any of the side effects listed above, stop taking quinine immediately and contact your GP. Home Illnesses and conditions Muscle, bone and joints Conditions Leg cramps.

Leg cramps See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About leg cramps 2. Symptoms of leg cramps 3. Causes of leg cramps 4.

Treating leg cramps. About leg cramps Leg cramps are a common and usually harmless condition where the muscles in your leg suddenly become tight and painful. After the cramping has passed, you may have pain and tenderness in your leg for several hours. Three out of four cases occur at night during sleep. What causes leg cramps? Causes of secondary leg cramps can include: pregnancy exercise certain types of medication, such as statins medicines that help lower cholesterol levels liver disease During a cramp, your muscles suddenly contract shorten , causing pain in your leg.

When to see your GP Speak to your GP if your leg cramps are affecting your quality of life; for example, if you have frequent leg cramps or they are interfering with your sleep. Treating leg cramps Most cases of leg cramps can be relieved by exercising the affected muscles. Stretches To stretch your calf muscles, stand with the front half of your feet on a step, with your heels hanging off the edge. If you have secondary leg cramps, treating the underlying cause may help relieve your symptoms.

Leg cramps that occur during pregnancy should pass after the baby is born. Read more about treating leg cramps Preventing leg cramps If you often get leg cramps, regularly stretching the muscles in your lower legs may help prevent the cramps or reduce their frequency.

The following night-time advice may also help: If you lie on your back, make sure that your toes point upwards — placing a pillow on its side at the end of your bed, with the soles of your feet propped up against it may help keep your feet in the right position.

If you lie on your front, hang your feet over the end of the bed — this will keep your feet in a relaxed position and help stop the muscles in your calves from contracting and tensing. Keep your sheets and blankets loose. Symptoms of leg cramps A leg cramp is an episode of sudden pain in the muscles of the leg caused by an involuntary contracting shortening of the leg muscle.

Most leg cramps occur in the calf muscles and, less commonly, in the feet and thighs. After the cramps have passed, you may have pain and tenderness in your legs for several hours. When to seek medical advice If you only get leg cramps occasionally, it is not a cause for concern and a medical diagnosis is not required.

You should also visit your GP if the muscles in your legs are shrinking or becoming weaker. When to seek immediate medical advice There are two situations where leg cramps may be a sign of a more serious underlying health condition. You should seek immediate medical help if: The cramps last longer than 10 minutes and fail to improve, despite exercise.

Cramps develop after you come into contact with substances that could be toxic poisonous or infectious, for example, if you have a cut that is contaminated with soil, which can sometimes cause a bacterial infection, such as tetanus, or after being exposed to elements such as mercury or lead.

Causes of leg cramps The cause of leg cramps is sometimes unknown idiopathic. Idiopathic leg cramps Although the cause of idiopathic leg cramps is unknown, there are a number of theories about what might cause idiopathic leg cramps. These include: abnormal nerve activity during sleep which causes the muscle of the leg to cramp excessive strain placed on leg muscles, such as when exercising, may cause the muscles to cramp at certain times a sudden restriction in the blood supply to the affected muscles Also, tendons naturally shorten over time as a person gets older, which may explain why older people are particularly affected by leg cramps.

Secondary leg cramps Secondary leg cramps are caused by an underlying condition or another identifiable cause. These include: pregnancy: the extra weight of pregnancy can place strain on the leg muscles, making them more vulnerable to cramping exercise: leg cramps are often experienced when resting after exercise neurological conditions conditions that affect the nerves in your leg muscles : for example, motor neurone disease or peripheral neuropathy liver disease : if your liver stops working properly, toxins will build up in your blood, which can make your muscles go into spasm infection: some types of bacterial infection, such as tetanus, can cause muscle cramps and spasm toxins: in some people, high levels of toxic poisonous substances in the blood, such as lead or mercury, can cause leg cramps dehydration : in some people, low levels of water in the body can lead to a drop in your salt levels, which can trigger muscle cramps Medication Certain medications have been known to cause leg cramps in a small number of people.

Treating leg cramps If the cause of your leg cramps is known, it may be possible to treat the underlying cause. Exercises Most cases of leg cramps can be treated with exercises. There are two types of exercise that you can do: exercises you do during an episode of cramping to relieve the pain and stop the cramping exercises you do during the day to reduce how often you get leg cramps The two types of exercises are explained below.

Exercises during cramps During an episode of leg cramp, stretch and massage the affected muscle. For example, if the cramp is in your calf muscle: Straighten your leg and lift your foot upwards, bending it at the ankle so that your toes point towards your shin.

Walk around on your heels for a few minutes. I started cramping and having the above symptoms after that appointment, so maybe I have progressed since then. We shall see! One centimeter is just the beginning, but a sign that labor is on the way soon. Effacement is the thinning of the cervix, while dilation is the opening of the cervix.

I think I have been nesting for the past couple of months! Loss of the Mucus Plug — Also known as the bloody show. This is a string of mucus or discharge that once blocked your cervix, preventing bacteria from entering. Can be clear, pink or bloody and appears before labor ranging from a few minutes to days. Not all women see this, I did when I had MJ. Water Breaks — We all know this sign! It can be a gush of fluids or a small trickle.

Many women have their water broken for them. Time to head on over to the hospital! Okay, so I am no doctor, I had a little help… Based upon what I was feeling, I looked around and found these early labor symptoms online that were published by trusted websites with real docs as writers. Sources : AmericanPregnancy. I hope that my predictions and research stand true and that labor is around the corner!

I really hope to meet our princess in the coming days. MOMS- were there any other symptoms that you remember experiencing just before you went into labor? Please share, I will be on the lookout!