In this article, we’ll discuss the causes of leg pain during menstruation and provide some home remedies.
Is leg pain during my period normal? Yes, leg pain during periods is completely normal if it’s mild pain. Leg pain is a common PMS symptom. It usually occurs when uterine contractions affect the leg muscles and tissues, causing the pain to radiate to the legs.
Period leg pain can last anywhere from several hours to up to 7 days. 2 to 3 days of leg pain during your period is considered normal, and it normally stops once the bleeding ends. However, if the pain persists for more than 3 days, it may be an indication of something more serious.
Let’s discuss why do legs hurt during periods:
Overproduction of prostaglandins
During periods, your body may overproduce prostaglandins, hormones that help the uterus contract to expel the uterine lining. Sometimes, these contractions affect the surrounding muscles and tissues, causing extreme pain and cramps. This pain can also radiate to the legs, resulting in severe leg pain.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a disease that happens when tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (called endometrium) grows outside of the uterus. During periods, in a woman with endometriosis, the tissue outside the uterus also responds to the hormones and it causes severe pain. This pain sometimes is transferred to the legs and that’s why your legs hurt during periods.
Extreme fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom of PMS and is considered normal. But, heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to more extreme fatigue. It usually causes discomfort or pain in the body. Sometimes this pain can affect your legs and it might hurt.
Water retention
During periods, an accumulation of water in your leg tissue can cause swelling. This may impact your legs and can cause extreme pain.
Blood circulation
Periods can fluctuate hormone levels in the body, which can affect blood circulation. This can contribute to feelings of heaviness, swelling, and discomfort in your legs.
Magnesium reduction
During periods, magnesium levels in the body can be low. This may contribute to muscle cramps and discomfort in your body including the legs.
Home remedies for leg pain during periods
A common question most girls ask “Can I reduce my leg pain during my period naturally?” The answer is yes, you can reduce period leg pain without medication and supplements. There are several ways to do that, Let’s discuss these period leg pain home remedies:
1. Walk or Gentle Stretch
Walking and light stretching can produce endorphins (natural painkillers) and increase blood flow to your legs. Improved circulation helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, aiding in tissue repair and reducing leg pain. And, endorphins help you feel comfortable even in the presence of pain. Keep in mind that exercises should be gentle and low-impact.
2. Elevate Your Leg
Elevating the leg is a simple but effective technique. It helps improve blood circulation and reduce swelling. Which contributes to relieving leg pain.
3. Massage Your Legs with Essential Oils
Massage is one of the most effective techniques to reduce leg pain during periods. Locate which part of your legs is hurting and gently massage it with essential oils.
4. Apply Heat Therapy
Leg pain may be related to uterine construction. Applying heat can reduce uterine cramps, so this therapy may also alleviate pain. If you have a heating pad, you can use it. But if you don’t, you can use a hot water bottle, it will work in the same way.
Tip: If your leg is in pain due to swelling, applying heat can be harmful. Cold therapy might be more beneficial in those cases.
5. Put on Support Stockings
Use compression stockings to alleviate leg pain during your period. They help prevent water retention and reduce swelling in your legs. Wearing them a couple of days before your period starts and throughout your period can significantly help relieve leg pain.
6. Wear Loose Clothing
Wearing tight clothing can restrict circulation, which can contribute to leg pain. Loose, comfortable clothing will help prevent that. Try avoiding wearing slim pants, belts, and girdles. This will make you feel comfortable.
7. Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can lead to muscle cramps and discomfort. Staying hydrated helps muscles stay pliable and function properly. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. This will reduce the risk of leg muscle cramping.
8. Eat a Balanced Diet
Deficiencies in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, can contribute to leg muscle cramps and pain. Eating foods that are rich in these nutrients is important during periods. This can help reduce period cramps. Consuming magnesium-rich foods is more effective in alleviating period cramps.
9. Drink Ginger or Turmeric Tea
Both ginger and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking these in tea form can help reduce inflammation and muscle pain. Drink these teas throughout your menstruation. This will help you feel better especially when your legs are hurting.
What is the relation between endometriosis and leg pain during periods?
Endometriosis is a chronic condition that normally becomes noticeable during menstruation. It happens when the tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus and is affected by the uterine constructions. However, it’s unknown why this tissue grows outside the uterine so far.
In uterine construction, the uterine lining sheds and exits as menstrual blood. In endometriosis, the tissue outside the uterus behaves the same way as uterine tissue but it cannot exit the body. This causes extreme pain in the lower part of the body including the legs.
Is this leg pain normal? Yes,endometriosis-related leg pain is considered normal. But, if the pain lasts longer than the menstrual bleeding ends, it could be a cause for concern. You should contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Can this leg pain be reduced naturally? The answer is yes. Eating anti-inflammatory foods and exercising regularly can help relieve endometriosis-related leg pain. Avoid red meat during periods. It has inflammatory properties that can worsen the pain.
Which parts of your legs can hurt during periods?
During periods, leg paining is normal, and it is most common in the upper legs. Also, feet, knees, things, and lower legs can hurt during periods.
Let’s discuss why and where your legs can hurt during your period:
Feet: During periods, hormonal imbalances in the body may cause water retention and swelling in the feet. Swelling puts extra pressure on the nerves and tissues, which may cause achiness, cramps, and severe pain in the feet.
Knee: Hormonal changes during menstruation can temporarily weaken the knee ligaments, which may cause knee pain. Also, knee pain during periods often results in fluid retention and joint inflammation.
Thigh: Thighs are next to the lower back and the nerves are located close. When the lower back hurts during periods, the pain can also affect the thigh’s nerves and it may hurt. Sometimes, cramps in the uterus may lead to referred pain that extends into the thighs. Which can result in thigh pain during periods.
Lower legs: Hormonal changes during periods can change blood circulation, affecting the lower leg muscles. This may contribute to leg fatigue and make the legs feel restless and sore.
Team O'dora is a dedicated group of healthcare professionals who are writer-editors at Theodoranapkins. They have over a decade of experience working at Texas Women's Healthcare. The team combines medical expertise with a passion for empowering women. Through their clinical practice, they contribute to Theodoranapkins by creating informative content about menstrual health.