What is the difference between period cramps and regular stomach cramps?

No short ans.: When you say you have "regular stomach cramps"--why do you consider stomach cramps to be "regular" if you have a bit of a cramp before a bowel movement, which is eased as soon as you move bowels--fine, but you should not be having on-going stomach cramps. Period cramps are in the pelvis and are only there just before and the first few days of a period then go away--otherwise week medical help!