Why Thigh Pain During Periods
Is It Normal To Have Leg Pain During My Period? I feel so bad for you! Unfortunately, some women will have bad cramps even in their upper legs when they have their period, so this is normal. Just because it’s normal doesn’t mean that you have to put up with it! If you can predict a day or two ahead of when your period usually starts, you can lessen or prevent these leg cramps by taking ibuprofen.
The cramps are due to prostaglandins that are being released by your body to help shed the lining in your uterus and bring about your period. Unfortunately, prostaglandins don’t just affect the uterine muscles, but can cause cramps in other muscles too. By taking the ibuprofen before you even have cramps, you prevent the prostaglandins from having a place to attach to the muscle and cause cramps.
Most women over 110 pounds can take 600mg every 8 hours or so for the day or two before their period and for the first day and end up a lot more comfortable. Good luck! I did some checking around and, from what I can figure out, it comes down to that simple song we all learned as kids: the knee bone’s connected to the thigh bone.
The pain from monthly cramps, usually in the lower abdomen, can “spread” to other areas of the body. There are some more serious issues, like fibroids, that can cause leg cramps during your period. So if the pain continues or is very intense, you may want to visit your healthcare practitioner. Personally, I’ve never experienced aching legs during my period, but some poking around on the Internet revealed that it’s a very common symptom of PMS.
Beyond that, I’m not much of an expert on the subject. So, I must defer to Dr. Molly for the real deal on why this happening and what you can do to alleviate the ache. I’m sure she’ll be a great resource. : Is It Normal To Have Leg Pain During My Period?
Contents
- 1 Can periods cause upper thigh pain?
- 2 Why do my knees and thighs hurt on my period?
- 3 Why am I getting cramps in my upper thigh?
- 4 Can endometriosis cause thigh pain?
- 5 Are thigh cramps normal?
- 6 What causes thigh pain in females?
- 7 What vitamin is deficient in thigh cramps?
- 8 When should I be worried about upper thigh pain?
- 9 Can endometriosis cause pain in top of thighs?
- 10 What causes woman upper outer thigh pain?
Can periods cause upper thigh pain?
Symptoms of dysmenorrhea – Menstrual cramps can feel like a dull ache or a shooting pain. They most often occur in your low stomach. You may also feel them in your low back, hips, or thighs. The pain may start before your period or when your period begins. Menstrual cramps last about 1 to 3 days. The pain may be bad enough to keep you from normal activities.
How do I stop my thighs from hurting during my period?
Apply a hot water bottle or heating pad directly to the site of your leg pain to help ease your symptoms. Lie on your side and rest. This may also help your triggered nerves relax. Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever like ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to dull your leg pain temporarily.
Why do my knees and thighs hurt on my period?
You may be familiar with the classic signs and symptoms of menstruation—including abdominal or pelvic cramping, lower back pain, bloating or sore breasts, food cravings, mood swings, irritability, headache, and fatigue, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
Some people also experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) —a group of those symptoms that start days before menstrual bleeding and can sometimes interfere with daily life, keeping you from participating in your normal activities. But what about the lesser-known side effects of your period ? Menstruation may contribute to a flurry of other symptoms, from oral discomfort to stomach troubles and more.
Here’s what you should know about five (possibly unheard-of) side effects of your period and how to alleviate them. According to an article published in 2018 in The Journal of Headache and Pain, menstrual migraines (otherwise known as hormone headaches) occur in nearly 20% of people around the time of their periods.
- And the fluctuating levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone levels seem to be the trigger.
- If you’re dealing with menstrual migraines, some lifestyle adjustments may help.
- Getting adequate sleep, regularly eating nutritious meals, exercising, and recognizing things that trigger your migraines (such as stress, alcohol, and the weather) may help alleviate the pain.
Per the National Library of Medicine, taking the birth control pill (also known as “the pill”) could either improve your menstrual migraines or make them worse. If you are already on the pill, you could try an option that is progestin-only or a low dose of estrogen.
- Or, you can switch to a non-hormonal birth control method (like condoms or a diaphragm).
- However, you should consult your healthcare provider about what option works best for your body.
- Also, consult your healthcare provider about other drug options that can help treat migraines.
- Diarrhea is not an uncommon side effect of menstrual bleeding.
According to an article published in 2022 in Pharmacy Today, in the days leading up to your period, your body produces increasing amounts of prostaglandins, chemicals that cause your uterine muscles to contract. Those contractions allow endometrial tissue (the tissue that lines the inside of your uterus) to shed through the vagina during menstruation.
- However, they also cause cramps and diarrhea.
- Per the National Library of Medicine, you can treat diarrhea by replenishing any lost fluids and electrolytes.
- Try water, fruit juices, uncaffeinated beverages, sports drinks, or broths to avoid dehydration caused by diarrhea.
- Also, eating soft, bland food may help ease your stomach.
For cramps, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen can relieve pain by reducing prostaglandin production. Additionally, placing a warm heating pad on your lower belly may help ease your discomfort. Changes in vaginal pH are common during your menstrual cycle.
- According to an article published in 2021 in Diagnostics (Basel), those types of changes can disturb the normal balance of yeast and bacteria in your vagina.
- Therefore, you may be more likely to get a yeast infection around your period.
- Vaginal yeast infections can happen in the week leading up to your period, during it, or right after, per another article published in 2021 in the Journal of Medical Microbiology,
Mild yeast infections may go away in a few days without treatment. However, don’t wait to visit a healthcare provider if they last longer than two or three days, don’t get better with over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, or reoccur frequently. During your menstrual cycle, your body experiences fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone.
Unfortunately, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), high levels of estrogen and progesterone result in more blood flowing to your gums, increasing mouth sensitivity and irritating your gums. Sometimes, that leads to other issues—including swollen bright red gums or salivary glands, canker sore development, bleeding gums, and gingivitis,
Per the ADA, it’s important to always practice regular brushing and flossing to maintain good oral health. Visit your dentist if any of those issues become chronic. Your period or PMS may also come with a side of joint discomfort as your body experiences a dip in estrogen at the beginning of menstrual bleeding.
- As detailed in an article published in 2008 in Reviews in Pain, when estrogen levels are low, people report feeling more pain.
- Additionally, an increased number of prostaglandins before and during your period may play a part in triggering pain in your muscles and joints, per one article published in 2020 in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,
NSAIDs are effective at reducing pain that results from elevated prostaglandins. In addition to knowing the common symptoms of menstruation, understanding that your menstrual cycle may contribute to other symptoms —including migraines, gut issues, yeast infections, gum soreness, and joint pain—is the first step to treating them.
Why does my back and thighs hurt during my period?
Primary dysmenorrhea – Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by cramps. Usually people with primary dysmenorrhea experience pain when they first start menstruating. During menstruation, the uterus contracts in order to detach the tissue in the uterus lining. Prostaglandins, which are hormone-like chemical messengers, cause the uterus muscles to contract more.
Why am I having pain in my upper thigh?
A person may experience upper thigh muscle pain due to impact trauma, sprains, or strains. Pain in the upper thigh may also occur due to nerve damage or the effects of an underlying health condition. This kind of pain may often be due to minor muscle injuries that are treatable at home.
Why am I getting cramps in my upper thigh?
Causes – A muscle cramp can happen after working a muscle too hard or straining it, losing body fluids through sweat or simply holding a position for a long time. Often, however, the cause isn’t known. Most muscle cramps are harmless. But some might be related to a medical concern, such as:
Not enough blood flow. A narrowing of the arteries that bring blood to the legs can cause a cramping pain in the legs and feet during exercise. These cramps usually go away soon after exercise stops. Nerve compression. Pressure on the nerves in the spine also can cause cramping pain in the legs. The pain usually gets worse with walking. Walking bent slightly forward, such as when pushing a shopping cart, might ease cramping. Not enough minerals. Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in the diet can cause leg cramps. Medicines often prescribed for high blood pressure can cause increased urination, which may drain the body of these minerals.
Is it OK to have leg pain during periods?
Is It Normal To Have Leg Pain During My Period? – The monthly cycle of periods brings lots of uneasiness in the women’s life while travelling, during an event, or while working. It’s not only uncomfortable, but it’s also excruciating for many women, who have intense pain in their stomach, back, and legs, particularly during the first two days of their period.
- This pain is commonly a premenstrual symptom or (PMS).
- During menstruation, when the body sheds the uterus blood lining during menstruation, it places pressure on the blood vessels around it, reducing the amount of oxygen delivered to other body components.
- As a result, there are contractions in the uterus, which may cause abdomen and backache.
Now, because the entire body is connected by tissues, fibres, and blood vessels, the pain from the abdomen extends down the body to thighs, knees, and legs leading to leg pain in periods. Therefore, YES, it may be normal to have leg pain during the period if it lasts for 2-3 days. Use our period pain relief patches that starts working within 15 minutes and can make you forget all-about period pains for 12 hours.
Can endometriosis cause thigh pain?
Often, patients ask: can endometriosis cause leg pain or affect their legs: The short answer is YES! Endometriosis can cause leg symptoms, such as numbness, tingling, throbbing pain, stabbing pain, a heaviness sensation and pain that is worse with walking or exercise.
Why do my thighs feel bigger on my period?
Water retention and swelling – People may experience increased water and salt retention around the time of their period. This is due to an increase in the hormone progesterone. Progesterone activates the hormone aldosterone, which causes the kidneys to retain water and salt.
- Water retention can lead to bloating and swelling, particularly in the abdomen, arms, and legs.
- This can give the appearance of weight gain.
- It may also make a person’s clothes feel tighter.
- However, water retention does not always signify weight gain.
- A 2014 study investigated water retention in females who complained of swelling during their period.
Circumference measurements taken throughout the study indicated that the participants did have significant swelling in the following areas:
facebreastsabdomenupper and lower limbspubic areas
However, there were no significant changes in weight throughout the participant’s cycles. Many people experience both physical and psychological symptoms during a period. Symptoms may include:
depression anxiety irritabilityangry outburstscrying spellsconfusionsocial withdrawalpoor concentration insomnia taking more napschanges in sexual desire headache aches and pains fatigue skin problemsgastrointestinal symptoms abdominal pain
People may feel additional symptoms in the days leading up to a period. Symptoms may include:
thirst and appetite changes breast tenderness bloatingheadacheswelling of the hands or feet
The type, severity, and duration of symptoms will vary from person to person. Additionally, some people may experience a combination of symptoms, while others may not experience any at all. Premenstrual symptoms tend to start a few days before bleeding, or menstruation, and stop once menstruation occurs. Medical providers can diagnose people with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) if:
the person has a pattern of symptoms 5 days before their period for at least three cycles in a rowthe symptoms end within 4 days after their period startsthe symptoms interfere with their normal activities
The following are some examples of how to prevent weight gain during a period.
Are thigh cramps normal?
Leg cramps are a common and usually harmless condition where the muscles in your leg suddenly become tight and painful. It usually occurs in the calf muscles, although it can affect any part of your leg, including your feet and thighs. After the cramping has passed, you may have pain and tenderness in your leg for several hours.
What causes thigh pain in females?
Thigh pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including muscle strains, sprains, stress fractures, nerve damage, infections, blood clots, and certain medical conditions. A proper medical evaluation is necessary to determine the exact cause of thigh pain.
What vitamin is deficient in thigh cramps?
Vitamin D and Calcium Deficiency are the prime reasons to cause muscle cramps and joint pains.
When should I be worried about upper thigh pain?
Treating with ice or heat – Heat or ice can be beneficial in the management of musculoskeletal pain. Ice is most beneficial if your thigh problem is related to an injury. You can try heat to help your pain levels if there’s no swelling and your symptoms are not related to a recent injury.
- Never place ice or heat directly on your skin.
- Use a barrier, like a towel, to protect your skin from a burn.
- How long you use ice as a treatment can vary.
- However, you should generally apply heat or ice for up to 15 minutes.
- You should also leave a few hours between treatments.
- You should stop treating the area with ice or heat and seek advice from a medical professional if you notice an increase in redness, discolouration or blistering of the skin.
If you have any issues with circulation or sensation, you shouldn’t use ice or heat as a treatment for thigh pain.
Can endometriosis cause pain in top of thighs?
Often, patients ask: can endometriosis cause leg pain or affect their legs: The short answer is YES! Endometriosis can cause leg symptoms, such as numbness, tingling, throbbing pain, stabbing pain, a heaviness sensation and pain that is worse with walking or exercise.
What causes thigh pain in females?
Thigh pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including muscle strains, sprains, stress fractures, nerve damage, infections, blood clots, and certain medical conditions. A proper medical evaluation is necessary to determine the exact cause of thigh pain.
What causes woman upper outer thigh pain?
Meralgia paresthetica – Meralgia paresthetica is a condition characterized by tingling, numbness and burning pain in the outer part of your thigh. The condition is caused by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which supplies sensation to your upper leg. Meralgia paresthetica (also known as lateral femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment) is a condition characterized by tingling, numbness and burning pain in your outer thigh.
- It’s caused by compression of the nerve that provides sensation to the skin covering your thigh.
- Tight clothing, obesity or weight gain, and pregnancy are common causes of meralgia paresthetica.
- However, meralgia paresthetica can also be due to local trauma or a disease, such as diabetes.
- In most cases, you can relieve meralgia paresthetica with conservative measures, such as wearing looser clothing.
In severe cases, treatment may include medications to relieve discomfort or, rarely, surgery.