[031112]

I'm on my second month of Kariva, I was told that I could start having unprotected sex after the first pack, I don't start my placebo week until this coming Friday, and I'm already starting to feel some menstrual cramping. This may sound novice and idiotic, but I thought the active pills stopped ovulation and ovulation was what caused cramping. It was very normal for me to have menstrual cramps the week before my period when I was off the pill, but I thought being on the pill would stop it. Is this normal? Has this happened to anyone else?

[Little]

While ovulation can be felt by some women, it's generally the contractions of the uterus preparing to expel its lining for your period that causes the feeling of cramps.
I used to get cramps in the week before my period (this was before I had my son, after which my period took a 180) as well as during. It didn't change while I was on the pill. Though you may want to call up your doctor or pharmacist to have them weigh in, I think you're probably fine.

[LittlePip]

As I understand it it's the prosteglandin hormones that cause your uterus to contract and this is the cause of the cramping pain. This will happen whether you're on the pill or not. You may have produced or stored more of this hormone this month for lots of reasons. A new pill apparently takes about 3 months for your body to get used to it and establish a pattern of behaviour, so don't worry that this will happen every month. I have heard that the pill can reduce the incidence of cramps in women so this may help. I suggest you get a doctor to ease your concerns (stress won't help the PMS, or you in general).