How long do your pre-menstrual cramps last?

elizabethb3

So I'm going on the third day of continuous, mild to moderate cramps that feel basically like menstrual cramps. I don't have a lot to go on b/c I'm only on my second cycle after BCP, and it's hard to remember back to my cycles before BCP. That being said, it just seems to me to be unusual and bit early for _me_ to be getting these cramps. Last cycle I got really intense cramps a mere hours before the heavy flow began. I'm currently at 10dpo, and I felt brief, sharp twinges in my abdomen a couple times at 6 & 7 dpo, and then constant cramping from 8-10dpo. I've had absolutely zero spotting. My last LP was, I believe, 12 days long.

I'm just curious how long the rest of you ladies experience cramping before cd1 hits. TIA!

brneyemom2

I usually cramp pretty mildly from about two days before my period and then though my period to about CD 6 or 7. But my cramps get significantly worse after AF shows up.

janda426

Mine usually start either day before or CD 1. Like I need to prepare myself as soon as I feel them coming because AF is only hours away

ETA and they last my entire period

mrs_tacos

Cramps can be different every cycle. Sometimes I have mild to moderate cramps for three or four days before AF starts, and some months I don't have any cramps until the day of.

angelsnight

Depends...this cycle the very slight cramps started on 2DPO, and today on 5DPO they've gotten more intense.  If I am not pregnant, my period will likely start on Sunday so that's quite a while of cramping.  Usually the cramps are strongest the day before and the day my period starts, then still pretty strong on day two and then they fade out.

But last cycle if I had cramps I didn't notice them and didn't realize my period was coming until I started spotting the day before.  I remember once I was going to a baseball game with my family and I started cramping.  I didn't have anything with me, but I figured I still had a few days before it would start.  Nope, started at the game and I was too embarrassed to ask if anyone had a tampon.  I had to ball up toilet paper and I kept going to the bathroom to change it since obviously TP is not the best solution.  That was miserable.

RunNanny

Sounds like what I'm going through! I am expected to start tomorrow and I have been having mild cramps off and on since Saturday morning! It's been a bummer because I usually cramp and then start right away. Once I start, my period cramps get significantly worse. But this 3 days of it are playing mind games with me!

TeeJ526

My cramps vary from cycle to cycle. This past cycle, I've been cramping since a week before I ovulated. So basically, I was only cramp free for a week. The cycle prior, I had cramping about a week before AF.

tucker1384

i have cramps throughout my entire cycle. thank you god. 

brookeK1990

My last two periods were kind of weird. Mild mild cramps and even sharp lower pain right before my period. Like a week or so. And this last cycle was 41 days. You're probably just paying closer attention to them... 

elizabethb3

Thanks for all the replies! I was getting cautiously optimistic, but as time goes on (and with the BFN this morning) I'm starting to think that this is all just part of the process of getting to know my body better, for better or for worse. :-/

And I just want to say that I feel for all of you that have cycles full of cramping. I'm such a baby about them, I can't imagine dealing with them all month long!  

elizabethb3

RunNanny:

Sounds like what I'm going through! I am expected to start tomorrow and I have been having mild cramps off and on since Saturday morning! It's been a bummer because I usually cramp and then start right away. Once I start, my period cramps get significantly worse. But this 3 days of it are playing mind games with me!

Glad to know that there's someone else going through the same thing and also going a bit crazy about it. Not that I would wish this on anyone!

Keep me posted! 

merebear09

Yeah, I'm not terribly helpful, but I hardly ever get cramps before AF starts. CD1 brings them on, and usually CD2 is the worst. My PMS consists of painful, swollen up a cup-size breasts, acne, gassiness, bloating, sadness/easy crying, and getting irrationally angry at my husband for no reason. Usually the last I only realize is irrational when AF starts.  

RunNanny

elizabethb3:

RunNanny:

Sounds like what I'm going through! I am expected to start tomorrow and I have been having mild cramps off and on since Saturday morning! It's been a bummer because I usually cramp and then start right away. Once I start, my period cramps get significantly worse. But this 3 days of it are playing mind games with me!

Glad to know that there's someone else going through the same thing and also going a bit crazy about it. Not that I would wish this on anyone!

Keep me posted! 

Yea, when I read your post I thought I wrote it! Ha! 

Will do! Same for you!

CrochetLady90

Before bcp I had terrible cramps that would last about two weeks, including my period. That was the reason y dr suggested I start birth control. After stopping bcp, I have cramped the week prior to period and then they stop when AF starts

elizabethb3

RunNanny:

Yea, when I read your post I thought I wrote it! Ha! 

Will do! Same for you!

Nice! Will do!

I love your siggy, btw!  

RunNanny

elizabethb3:

RunNanny:

Yea, when I read your post I thought I wrote it! Ha! 

Will do! Same for you!

Nice! Will do!

I love your siggy, btw!  

Thanks! I'm ADDICTED to The Office! :-)

elizabethb3

merebear09:

Yeah, I'm not terribly helpful, but I hardly ever get cramps before AF starts. CD1 brings them on, and usually CD2 is the worst. My PMS consists of painful, swollen up a cup-size breasts, acne, gassiness, bloating, sadness/easy crying, and getting irrationally angry at my husband for no reason. Usually the last I only realize is irrational when AF starts.  

Ha ha! Yeah, one of my most severe PMS symptoms (and this one has always been there, even on BCP) is getting irrationally angry toward DH. This cycle I noticed it happening immediately after O. I totally flipped out at him for eating the last banana, bc I had been craving vanilla ice cream and bananas and came home to find it was gone. As in slamming doors, yelling, and almost crying, flipped out. Yikes! 

tealowl

Ill have sporadic mild cramping sometimes a day or two before AF. Then my AF doesn't come until I get to work and have to sprint to the bathroom and plug it up. Jerk.

elizabethb3

teal owl:

Ill have sporadic mild cramping sometimes a day or two before AF. Then my AF doesn't come until I get to work and have to sprint to the bathroom and plug it up. Jerk.

Ha ha, been there! I've never been able to use cramps to know that AF is about to arrive, which has made for some, shall we say, sticky situations. I'm the type that gets crazy biitch / every commercial makes me cry syndrome. 

herecomesthesun

A few hours on day 1 if I get them. It varies each month.