Why You Have Period Symptoms But No Period

While the exact cause of PMS is not known, there are some theories. 

One is due to the hormonal changes you see in your menstrual cycle, particularly when it comes to estrogen and progesterone. The balance between these two hormones is a delicate one, and if it’s slightly off, you may suffer the wrath of PMS. 

Another theory is a shift in your neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and endorphins, due to changes in hormone levels. Studies show this may be more likely for women who have a serotonin deficiency. 

Genetics is also a possible reason for PMS, as shown in a study with monozygotic (identical) vs. dizygotic (fraternal) twins. 

Vitamin B12 deficiency could also be to blame for your PMS. This vitamin is needed to replenish blood during your period, and if you’re deficient, it can lead to PMS.

Why am I having period symptoms but not getting my period?

Pregnancy

The first (and most obvious) possibility is pregnancy. The symptoms of PMS are eerily similar to the signs of pregnancy, and they include:

• Breast tenderness
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Cramping
• Nausea

These things occur because your body has just been flooded with hormones, and it’s struggling to sort things out. 

A pregnancy test will be your bestie but wait until the day after your expected period to take it for the most accurate results. If the results are negative, wait until one week after your missed period to take the test again. 

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic or extrauterine pregnancy is when the embryo implants outside of the uterus, which makes it a non-viable pregnancy. The fetus can’t grow properly anywhere except the womb, and it can be potentially dangerous. 

An ectopic pregnancy can often be mistaken for a regular pregnancy and/or PMS, as the symptoms are similar and include a missed period, tender breasts, nausea, back pain, cramping, and more. 

This is because an ectopic pregnancy will still produce pregnancy hormones, which can cause PMS-like symptoms. 

Other symptoms include irregular vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, shoulder pain, dizziness, and more. If you experience any of these, see your doctor ASAP. 

Miscarriage

We wish no one knew the experience of a miscarriage, but it is an unfortunate reality for some. This happens when there is a loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks and it is most often due to chromosomal abnormalities.

Miscarriages can cause a major shift in your hormones that manifests as a drop in your estrogen and progesterone, which leads to symptoms that look like period symptoms. 

Notable miscarriage symptoms include vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain or cramping, and the passing of vaginal fluid or tissue. If you think you’re having a miscarriage, call your healthcare provider immediately. 

Birth control

Whether it’s the pill, an IUD, or any other form of hormonal birth control, your body will take some time to adjust when you first start. This means you may miss your period, but you still get those lovely period symptoms. 

And some studies find that even after that adjustment period, the pill still gives women period symptoms. But this isn’t the case for all women, as some report their PMS symptoms alleviated with the use of birth control.

If you’ve been using a form of hormonal birth control for an extended period of time (we are talking years), then you may find that it starts to cause issues with your period, which can lead to period symptoms without the period.

Taking time off birth control and switching birth control methods can affect your hormones.  

Endometriosis

The extra tissue that forms outside of the uterus with endometriosis can cause serious inflammation flares and pelvic pain. 

Many women mistake this pain for period pain, but for 10% of women worldwide, it is endometriosis. 

Estrogen is high with this condition, which throws off the estrogen-progesterone balance, leading to the potential of PMS sans the accompanying period. 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

This hormonal disorder is defined by the fact that it causes you to skip ovulation.

Both men and women have androgen hormones, though women’s levels are lower. However, that is not the case with PCOS. 

Women with PCOS have a lot of androgen hormones, which can throw other hormones out of whack. This also includes a raised LH:FSH ratio and higher insulin levels as well. 

Uterine polyps

Uterine polyps are also called endometrial polyps and happen when the lining of the uterus (endometrium) overgrows. They typically happen during or post-menopause, though there are pre-menopausal cases, too.

These polyps can form because of a hormone imbalance, which can also look like PMS symptoms.  

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

This disease happens when vaginal bacteria move to the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes, which can lead to an abscess. STIs are the main cause of this, and PID’s symptoms look much like PMS symptoms: lower back pain, fever, nausea, and more. 

Studies show that PID can drop your estrogen levels, which, as you can imagine, does not look good for your PMS-like symptoms. 

Thyroid disorders

The thyroid gland regulates a lot of your metabolic and hormonal functions, including your menstrual cycle. However, some disorders can turn those functions upside-down.

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism is when it produces too much. 

The symptoms of both are easy to mistake for PMS and include anxiety, sleep problems, fatigue, etc. 

Weight changes

Did you know that your weight can affect your hormones and, thus, your period?

An irregular or totally MIA period can be linked to a BMI that’s outside the normal range.

Studies show that women with a 25+ BMI can have high estrogen and androgen levels due to the increase in fat cells. 

And other research shows that women with a BMI lower than 18 don’t produce enough estrogen due to the decrease in fat cells. 

Both ends of this spectrum may lead to irregular menstrual cycles, which can look like PMS minus the period. 

Stress

Stress. The thing that shows up uninvited at the worst possible times. 

The big S can make you tired and irritable and leave you with physical symptoms such as headaches, aches, diarrhea, appetite changes, and more. 

Sounds eerily similar to PMS, doesn’t it?

The two are linked, and stress can actually cause you to skip your period entirely (but not the symptoms, of course). That’s because stress does a number on your hormones and throws your whole homeostasis off. 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) & other GI issues

IBS and other gastrointestinal issues can make everyday life extremely uncomfortable. 

These conditions can cause cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation – just like you may experience with period symptoms. 

It’s easy to think your IBS symptoms are your period, and it actually makes sense. That’s because your gut has receptor cells for estrogen and progesterone, so shifts in these hormones can affect your gut function. 

Studies show that too much harmful gut bacteria (a.k.a. dysbiosis) can increase estrogen levels, which can lead to issues ranging from period pain to endometriosis.  

Interstitial cystitis (IC)

This chronic neuroinflammatory disorder causes bladder and pelvic pain as well as a slew of issues with the bladder. 

Studies show that estrogen impacts inflammation, so it’s possible that when your hormone levels are off, you may be more susceptible to IC.