It’s tempting to blame it on your period.
What’s “it”, exactly?
Could be anything, really.
Maybe you don’t normally get misty during commercials. Maybe you have way less patience or energy than usual. Maybe you have super random…leg cramps?
Yep. Leg pain before or during your period is very much a thing. So, before you frantically Google “leg pain during period why”, let’s take a breath together.
Nice.
Now, before we break down the science, you might want to stock up on Hello Again’s period relief suppositories first.
It’s specifically formulated to support your body and your hormones through the fluctuations of our monthly cycles. Consider it a wellness cocktail for your closest and most personal lady friend.
Plus, it’s one of the several natural, holistic remedies we’ll review in this article. So if you’re sick of feeling weak and wobbly, you might want to give this one a read.
Understanding Leg Pain During Menstruation
Not all leg pain is created equal.
Leg pain during a period might manifest itself as menstrual cramps, aches, and/or spasms. These are all common symptoms!
But what does that have to do with your menstrual cycle? Kind of a lot.
See, during menstruation, the uterine lining releases chemicals called prostaglandins, which help your uterus contract and shed its lining.
Higher levels of prostaglandins can lead to stronger and more painful contractions, not only in the uterus but also in other large muscles nearby, like the ones in your legs.
Menstrual pain can also sensitize your peripheral nerves, making them more susceptible to pain signals. This sensitization can make your body think it’s perceiving pain in areas beyond the uterus, including your legs.
Plus, if you’re the type to take more time on the couch during that time of the month, muscle tension can build and cause leg cramps and discomfort.
Hydration and Nutrition
Let’s zoom out for a sec.
While it is indeed tempting to blame things on your period, a more truthful explanation might be that our habits and behaviors as influenced by our menstrual periods are the culprit.
Therefore, standard advice about muscle health and hygiene applies here.
Muscles need water to function properly, so if you’re skimping on water before, during, or after your period, your chance of having leg pain during period week goes up.
Skeletal muscles, the type of voluntary muscles found in your legs, need nutrients to flex and contract. Foods rich in potassium (bananas!) calcium (yogurt!) and magnesium (nuts, leafy greens, and whole grains!) will keep things running smoothly.
Gentle Exercise and Stretches
It feels logical to deal with leg pain during your period and conclude that you have weak muscles, and need to strengthen them.
Before you break out the weights, consider the benefits of gentle exercise, like yoga or walking, and stretching.
Most of the time, when we’re crashed on the couch, our circulatory system can’t do its job as efficiently, leading to pain and cramping.
It doesn’t have to take super long or be super intense – a quick search on YouTube turned up countless tutorials to help get you going.
Try looking for “leg pain during period yoga”, “leg pain during period stretches” or “leg pain during period movement” to be inspired.
Heat and Cold Therapy
If you have an electric blanket or an ice pack, leg pain during a period might be the time to bust ‘em out.
Heat and cold increase and decrease blood flow, respectively, so use your noggin when you’re looking for relief. Don’t use heating pads on bruised skin or muscle, while cold packs left on too long can damage the skin.
For muscle relief, use hot and cold packs in a 1:1 ratio, without extremes. Alternate between hot and cold, making sure to end on cold.
Herbal Teas and Supplements
Herbal teas with anti-inflammatory properties
The term “inflammation” refers to a systemic reaction where your body is responding to an irritant in its system.
An overactive immune system can create inflammation on its own, by attacking the body itself.
During your period, inflammation can occur thanks to the spikes and dips in hormones.
Happily, there are several drinkable teas you can try to help improve inflammation.
Green tea, holy basil, turmeric, ginger, rose hip, and fennel are as pleasant to drink as they are anti-inflammatory, and would be a great place to start exploring.
Supplements
Magnesium has been all over TikTok recently, with creators arguing back and forth about which form is most effective or the best to take.
The truth is, different forms suit different purposes. Magnesium citrate, for example, is used to treat constipation. Magnesium glycinate is thought to decrease stress and improve sleep.
More study is needed, but it might not be a bad idea to do a little research and see if there isn’t a form of magnesium out there that might help you.
Vaginal Suppositories
You didn’t think we’d end this section without shouting out some of the products we’re most proud of, did you?
Hello Again has been hard at work formulating nurturing, luxurious, and effective botanical blends infused with CBD and THC to treat your V right – especially during your period.
Can’t sleep? We’ve got you.
Had a few too many? Try me!
Searching for menopause relief? We’ve got that, too.
Aromatherapy
Do you know why they’re called essential oils?
Essential oils capture the essence of a plant. Wintergreen essential oil is bracing and refreshing, while cinnamon oil is tingly and warming.
When diffused or applied to the skin, you can set the stage for a soothing and relaxing aromatherapy experience.
A 2016 study review on the effects of aromatherapy on pain management found a “significant positive effect of aromatherapy in reducing pain”, with no negative side effects noted.
Some essential oils, like CBD oil, have proven analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, while others, like lavender, have varied effects from person to person.
The name of the game is relaxation, so have yourself a sniff of a bunch of oils before buying, if you can, to suss out which ones you like best. A little bit of lavender oil and yoga before bed sounds lovely to us!
Note: When using essential oils, you’ll want to check and make sure that the oil is safe to use or diffuse. As a rule, you never want to ingest any essential oil, aside from specifically labeled food-grade oils.
Sleep and Rest
Everything we’ve outlined here pales in comparison to a good night’s sleep.
Sleep is the way our bodies clear out the plaque of the day and reset, so if your sleep is suffering, give yourself a fighting chance by practicing good sleep hygiene.
You can even use some of the techniques above to help. THC and CBD have been shown to aid in sleep quality and duration, and an exercise routine contributes to a calm mind and body, kinda essential when it’s time to head to bed.
If you’re one of those lucky ladies who deals with insomnia before or during her period, we’ve got just the blog you’re looking for.
It can be maddening to feel like you’re doing everything right and still not be sleeping well, which is why we wrote that one for you!
Professional Consultation
Persistent or severe leg pain during periods can also be related to endometriosis, adenomyosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
If you already deal with one of those health conditions, then a professional consultation with your healthcare provider is the right next step. While the techniques we’ve outlined today might help a bit, they’re no substitute for surgery or medication.
Conclusion
No one should have to suffer through their period, especially not you.
Outside of the need for professional medical care, a little self-care can go a really long way. That’s why we put the best stuff in our products at Hello Again. You deserve it!
Don’t let your leg pain stay on the back burner. Take care of yourself and your body, especially during your period, and search terms like “leg pain during period” can make a graceful exit from your browsing history.
Sources
- https://helloagainproducts.com/period-suppository/
- https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/bones-muscles-joints.html
- https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-pain/treating-pain-with-heat-and-cold
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/anti-inflammatory-tea#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnesium-types
- https://helloagainproducts.com/period-suppository/
- https://helloagainproducts.com/sleep-suppository/
- https://helloagainproducts.com/hangover-suppository/
- https://helloagainproducts.com/menopause-suppository/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5192342/#sec6title
- https://www.med.upenn.edu/cbti/assets/user-content/documents/s11920-017-0775-9.pdf
