Periods or menstruation is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs every month as a part of a woman’s monthly cycle. During menstruation, the unfertilised eggs and the thick uterus lining are discharged from the body in the form of blood through the vaginal canal.
In this process, few women experience inconvenient menstrual pain in the lower abdomen, while some experience pain in the back and leg. Leg pain in periods can have a variety of causes, some of which are simple and others that are more complex.
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.
However, a more complex and serious cause of leg cramps during periods can be endometriosis. It's a condition in which the tissue of the uterus develops outside of the uterus, and the cells find it difficult to leave the body, causing painful symptoms like pain in the legs. So, it’s advisable to consult a gynaecologist if you get leg pain during periods on a regular basis, to understand whether it’s normal or not, in your case.
Leg Pain During Periods Remedies
After reading about the reason for leg pain during the period, let’s now focus on how we can alleviate the same. There are few home remedies for leg pain during periods that can help in providing relief from the same such as:
#1 Using Warm Heating Pad in the Cramped Area
According to a study, heating pads give more relief from the pain as compared to any oral medication or acetaminophen for menstrual cramps or leg pain in periods. Heating therapy relieves pain by relaxing the uterine muscles and increasing blood circulation.
#2 Lie Down on One Side to Let the Cramp go Away
Sleeping in the fetal position relieves strain on the abdominal muscles, resulting in the relaxation of skeletal muscles around the abdomen. Sleeping on one side in the fetal position helps with leg cramps and leakage since it helps to press the legs together, making it less likely to leak even during a heavy period.
#3 Exercise/Yoga and Walking
Physical exercise helps relieve leg pain during a period because it stimulates the brain to release endorphins, which block pain receptors and help to stop pain signals from cramping or contracting the uterus. Exercise also improves blood circulation by opening blood vessels, which may help relieve menstrual cramps.
#4 Taking Pain-reliever Drugs
Consuming medication like ibuprofen a day or two before your period of prophylactic treatment may reduce the degree of your pain. Once prostaglandin floods your system, ibuprofen makes it challenging for it to connect to your muscle.
#5 Massaging
Leg pain in periods is due to the impact of contraction on the abdomen region. Hence, gently massaging the abdominal region with massage oil, coconut oil, or body lotion helps alleviate the pain. Apart from these, hot water baths, dark chocolate, birth control pills, etc, can be also be used as home remedies to get rid of leg pain during ovulation.
#6 Dietary Changes
Dietary adjustments can help with menstrual cramps in the abdomen and leg pain during periods. A healthy diet includes omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, vegetables, nuts, lean proteins, and complete grains.
Menstrual cramps are most unpleasant at the start of a period and grow slowly as the days pass. Many home remedies may help provide relief from menstrual cramps, but if they persist for an extended period, consult a doctor to rule out any significant condition.
References
- Laura Buggio, Giussy Barbara, May 2017; Self-management and psychological-sexological interventions in patients with endometriosis: strategies, outcomes, and integration into clinical care - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5422563/
- Alexis D. Greene, Stephanie A. Lang, May 2010; Endometriosis: Where are We and Where are We Going? - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4958554/
