Cramping does not make you a niddah. If you consistently see a particular symptom prior to your period, then it may constitute a veset haguf (see article), a veset based on a physiological sign that your period is imminent. During the onat haveset, the day or night you are actually expecting your period to start (based on your past history), intercourse is prohibited and you would have to a bedikah.

If you are experiencing pre-menstrual cramps for a few days, then on the days preceding your onat haveset, when your period is not yet scheduled to begin, it would be prudent to wipe yourself externally with a tissue prior to deciding to have marital relations to check if bleeding has started earlier than you expected. Stains on the tissue would not make you niddah, but would mean that you should not have intercourse at this time.

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Updated 24 August, 2023