Tampons making cramps worse?

Does anyone else feel like using tampons makes their cramps worse? I always know when I’m going to start my period because I get these subtle cramps a day or so leading up to it. I sometimes don’t even know feel when I really start because the intensity doesn’t change. (Most of the time I have a liner on when I’m expecting it and I can actually catch it while I’m on the toilet) I’ve noticed that my cramps only really get bad when I put my tampon in. The tampon itself doesn’t hurt, but my cramps definitely do. I don’t like wearing pads, they just aren’t for me. Anyone else have this problem? If so, what alternatives do you take or do you use the diva cup?