It is common to experience a little spotting or cramping in the days just prior to menstruation. Some women may experience these symptoms as a part of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, which affects 3 out of 4 women, according to MayoClinic.com. However, spotting and cramping can also indicate a more serious condition and should be discussed with your doctor or gynecologist.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a reproductive disease that causes the endometrial lining to grow outside of the uterus. The uterine lining in a woman with endometriosis can grow on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, colon, bladder or abdomen. This tissue swells and bleeds just as it does inside of the uterus. When the tissue outside of the uterus bleeds, it causes irritation to any surrounding tissues. This can cause complications such as scar tissue, cysts, adhesions and infertility. Symptoms of endometriosis are painful periods, pelvic pain, excessive bleeding, infertility, pain during bowel movements, pain during menstruation and pain between periods. Endometriosis can be treated by either medication or surgery. If a woman is experiencing a great deal of pain, the doctor may prescribe over-the-counter pain relief or prescription pain medication. Surgery may be required to remove scar tissue, adhesions or any endometrial growths. In rare cases a woman may be required to have a hysterectomy, which is the total removal of the uterus, in order to keep endometriosis from returning.
Cervical Cancer
According to MedlinePlus, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women, although it is less common in the United States due to annual pap smears. This form of cancer begins in the cervical cells and spreads very slowly to the bladder, intestine, lungs and liver. If discovered by a pap smear in the precancerous stage, known as dysplasia, it is 100 percent treatable. The human papillomavirus, or HPV, which is spread through sex, causes a majority of cervical cancer cases. Risk factors for cervical cancer include having sex at an early age, poor economic status, weakened immune system and having multiple sexual partners. Symptoms of cervical cancer include loss of appetite, weight loss, pelvic pain, back pain, leg pain, single swollen leg, fatigue, bone fractures, heavy vaginal bleeding, abnormal vaginal bleeding, bleeding between periods, and continuous vaginal discharge.
Mittelschmerz
Mittelschmerz, or middle pains, are abdominal cramping experienced by women before, during, or after ovulation. This pain is usually one-sided, sharp or distinctive and may last from a few hours to two-days in length. According to MayoClinic.com, about 20 percent of women experience this pain in their menstrual cycles. The causes of this pain are unknown, but are speculated to occur from the ovary stretching itself during ovulation, or abdominal irritation due to fluid being released with the egg. Some women may also experience light spotting around this time.
