Is it normal or am I dying?

I just started "the patch" as my new form of birth control, and so far I've adjusted decently aside from a few stray pimples and zits.

I'm finishing up my third week/third patch, meaning I'll be removing the patch for a whole week and expecting a period...

My concern is that for the last week (approximately) I've been experiencing mild cramping that seems to be worsening as time progresses--I read that the "period" isn't truly a period, but just a "withdrawal bleed" (caused by the absence of hormones) that doesn't actually always occur.

...if that's the case, why would I be experiencing cramps so similar to what I experience before a "normal" period?

Hopefully this makes sense!