Why Your Legs Hurt During Your Period—and How To Get Relief

“Interval ache is brought on by many components, and everybody experiences it otherwise,” says Neha Thawani, MD, an OB/GYN resident doctor at Stanford Drugs. “Some individuals expertise leg aches and ache throughout their interval.”

A bit of gentle leg ache throughout your interval is regular. However in different circumstances, the ache can be an indication of an underlying situation—and listed here are seven the reason why it is perhaps occurring.

Associated Tales

1. Increased ranges of prostaglandins

Your interval leg ache is perhaps linked to prostaglandins, which is a flowery phrase for the hormone-like chemical compounds in your physique which have capabilities like sustaining a steadiness in blood clotting and regulating blood stress. When you may have your interval, your physique releases these chemical compounds to make your uterus contract (so it could shed its lining, which ends up in bleeding each month). However these compounds additionally trigger an inflammatory response and “are liable for signs like fever, chills, and ache,” Dr. Thawani says.

In different phrases, prostaglandins are the explanation behind your crappy interval cramps. “Throughout a interval, prostaglandins are sometimes localized within the decrease stomach and pelvis, inflicting typical signs equivalent to bloating, cramping, and nausea,” Dr. Thawani says.

OK, however why do you are feeling these aches and pains in your legs? This has to do with “the proximity of the uterus to the legs,” Dr. Thawani explains. “People generally expertise radiating ache.” Which means whereas the ache might originate in your stomach, it could usually journey to your legs.

2. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Temper swings, meals cravings, pimples—the hallmark trifecta of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. However, PMS is usually the wrongdoer of leg ache, too.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a bunch of bodily and emotional signs that happen in some individuals (OK, most individuals) who expertise durations. Analysis means that about three out of each 4 individuals who menstruate develop PMS signs a couple of days earlier than their interval begins. Whereas PMS could also be recognized for changes in mood or libido, joint and muscle ache can be a standard PMS grievance, in response to the Mayo Clinic.

3. Hormonal modifications in menopause

Noticing achy legs whereas transitioning to menopause? There is perhaps a cause for that. “Whereas uncommon, hormonal shifts associated to menopause can cause leg pain,” Dr. Thawani says. “Throughout menopause, [estrogen] ranges finally decline, however there are nonetheless some fluctuations, together with will increase in hormone launch.” Throughout this section of life, your physique can reply by secreting prostaglandins, inflicting an inflammatory response that may trigger extra aches and pains that radiate to your legs.

4. Dehydration

Dehydration is a common cause of leg cramps. Throughout your menstrual cycle, fluctuating hormones (like estrogen and progesterone) can have an effect on your hydration ranges, as can a lack of blood (particularly in case your durations are inclined to have a heavier stream).

The issue is {that a} lack of water can throw off your electrolyte balance and reduce blood stream to your leg muscular tissues, in response to AARP. Each of those components can then contribute to cramping, muscle ache, and weak point.

5. Anemia

When you do not have sufficient wholesome crimson blood cells to move oxygen to your tissues, you’ll be able to develop a standard blood dysfunction known as anemia. Some individuals with chronically heavy durations develop iron deficiency anemia resulting from extreme blood loss and depletion of iron shops over time, in response to the Mayo Clinic.

Iron deficiency anemia could cause a slew of symptoms, together with excessive fatigue, shortness of breath, and, you guessed it, muscle ache that may have an effect on your legs. Anemia can set off restless legs syndrome, a neurological dysfunction that offers you an irresistible urge to maneuver your legs. You may also get sharp pains, numbness, or tingling in your decrease limbs. That’s as a result of an absence of iron can negatively have an effect on the nervous system—the system in your physique that controls and regulates ache receptors.

6. Endometriosis

“Living with endometriosis can completely trigger leg ache throughout menstruation,” Dr. Thawani says. Endometriosis is a situation that happens when tissue that’s much like the tissue that traces the uterus begins to develop exterior of the uterus, resulting in symptoms like pelvic ache, heavy durations, fatigue, and an elevated threat of infertility.

The endometrial tissue is delicate to hormones like estrogen and progesterone, so it is going to cycle via the totally different phases of the menstrual cycle, similar to your uterus does, Dr. Thawani says. The factor is, extra hormonally-sensitive tissue in your physique often signifies that extra prostaglandins are launched throughout your interval, she provides. As a result of prostaglandins can enhance irritation, they will additionally doubtless result in an uptick of ache that may radiate to your legs.

7. Joint ache

When you’ve got a joint situation like arthritis, you could expertise extra flares whilst you’re going via your interval. And whereas joint ache brought on by arthritis can already cause leg pain, these aches could also be extra noticeable throughout that point of the month.

Although the connection between arthritis and the menstrual cycle isn’t completely clear, scientists hypothesize that it’s associated to hormonal fluctuations (shock, shock), in response to the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). One concept is that hormones can instantly impression the joints by rising irritation. One other college of thought is that hormones can have an effect on your ache notion. For instance, some information counsel that individuals with uteruses really feel extra ache when estrogen ranges are low (like proper earlier than your interval), per the HSS.

When is leg ache critical?

Whereas mildly achy legs throughout your interval are one factor, excruciating or long-lasting leg ache is one other. In case your ache degree is insufferable or debilitating (suppose: it interferes together with your on a regular basis life) and/or it persists after your interval, it could possibly be an indication of an underlying situation that must be checked out by your healthcare supplier. At first, ache is usually a nagging or uncomfortable feeling, but when you aren’t getting your signs addressed, it might result in undesirable issues. So, do not wait to see your supplier. Allow them to find out about your ache and so they can carry out assessments to grasp the trigger and suggest therapies.

Find out how to relieve leg ache in your interval

There’s some excellent news, although. You may often scale back period-related leg ache with home remedies. Give these methods a shot:

• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen) can usually assist with irritation associated to prostaglandins. For efficient ache aid, take it 24 hours earlier than your interval begins, Dr. Thawani says.
• Keep hydrated: Drink at the least six to eight glasses of water daily, and extra in the event you sweat rather a lot. This can assist forestall leg cramps associated to dehydration. You may inform in the event you’re getting sufficient H2O by the color of your pee: typically (whereas not at all times), the clearer it’s, the extra hydrated you might be. Yellow or amber-colored pee is an indication that you could be want extra water in your system.
• Restrict alcohol and caffeine: These drinks are diuretics, which implies they make you pee extra usually. Should you’re not replenishing the misplaced fluids with water, drinks with caffeine and alcohol content can dehydrate you and enhance the danger of ache.
• Give your self a therapeutic massage: Let your self in on some TLC by rubbing out these cramping muscular tissues together with your fingers or a foam roller for some aid.
• Transfer your physique: Stretching, strolling, and wiggling might assist shake out muscle cramps, so incorporating some mild motion is a good suggestion in the event you’re experiencing ache.
• Use a warmth or ice pack: Heating pads or ice packs are recognized to assist relieve ache at residence. The HSS recommends utilizing ice packs for acute ache or harm, whereas heating pads are most useful for muscle stiffness and cramping.

When to see a healthcare supplier

Typically, leg-related interval ache will scale back in the event you use over-the-counter medicines and provides your physique some additional care at residence throughout your interval. However, in case your ache is retaining you out of your each day actions, it is a good suggestion to name your healthcare supplier. Bear in mind, period-related signs, whether or not that is leg ache, bleeding, or fatigue, ought to *not* intrude together with your life. “If you end up having to name off work throughout your interval,” get assist, Dr. Thawani says. “There’s no must endure in silence.”