How does menstruation affect leg strength. What causes weakness during periods. Can dehydration lead to leg weakness during menstruation. Is it normal to feel drained during your period. How to manage period-related fatigue and weakness.

Understanding Leg Weakness During Menstruation

Many women experience leg weakness and overall fatigue during their menstrual cycle. This common symptom can be both physically and emotionally draining, often leaving individuals feeling helpless and frustrated. But what causes this weakness, and is it something to be concerned about?

The primary culprit behind leg weakness during menstruation is typically dehydration. As the body loses fluid and blood during the menstrual cycle, it can lead to a decrease in overall strength and energy levels. While this is usually not a cause for serious concern, it’s essential to understand the underlying mechanisms and learn how to manage these symptoms effectively.

Why Do Legs Feel Weak During Periods?

Leg weakness during menstruation can be attributed to several factors:

• Dehydration due to fluid loss
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Decreased iron levels
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Fatigue and exhaustion

These factors combined can lead to a feeling of weakness, particularly in the legs, as the body works to maintain its normal functions while dealing with the additional stress of menstruation.

Combating Dehydration: The Key to Reducing Period-Related Weakness

Dehydration plays a significant role in causing weakness during menstruation. To counteract this, it’s crucial to increase fluid intake during your period. But what types of fluids are most effective?

Electrolyte-rich beverages such as sports drinks (e.g., Gatorade or Powerade) can be particularly beneficial. These drinks help replenish not only fluids but also essential minerals that may be lost during menstruation. Water, while always a good choice for hydration, may not be sufficient on its own to address the electrolyte imbalance that can occur during your period.

How Much Should You Drink During Your Period?

While individual needs may vary, a general guideline is to aim for at least 8-10 glasses of fluid per day during menstruation. This can include a combination of water, electrolyte drinks, and hydrating foods such as fruits and vegetables.

Nutrition and Energy Levels During Menstruation

Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in managing energy levels and reducing weakness during your period. Eating regular, balanced meals and snacks can help prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can exacerbate feelings of weakness and fatigue.

What Foods Can Help Combat Period-Related Weakness?

Consider incorporating the following foods into your diet during menstruation:

1. Iron-rich foods (lean meats, leafy greens, legumes)
2. Complex carbohydrates (whole grains, sweet potatoes)
3. Protein sources (eggs, fish, tofu)
4. Magnesium-rich foods (nuts, seeds, dark chocolate)
5. Foods high in vitamin B12 (dairy products, fortified cereals)

These nutrient-dense options can help support your body’s increased needs during menstruation and potentially reduce feelings of weakness and fatigue.

The Impact of Stress on Menstrual Cycles

While stress is often cited as a cause of menstrual irregularities, it’s important to note that its effects can vary from person to person. In some cases, stress may indeed lead to prolonged periods or other cycle disruptions, even if the individual doesn’t feel particularly stressed.

Can Stress Really Affect Your Period?

Yes, stress can impact your menstrual cycle in several ways:

• Altering hormone levels
• Disrupting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
• Affecting ovulation
• Changing the length of your cycle
• Intensifying PMS symptoms

However, it’s crucial to remember that prolonged menstrual bleeding or significant changes in your cycle should always be discussed with a healthcare provider, as they may indicate other underlying health issues.

When to Seek Medical Advice for Menstrual Issues

While some variation in menstrual cycles is normal, certain symptoms or changes may warrant medical attention. But how do you know when it’s time to consult a doctor?

What Menstrual Symptoms Require Medical Attention?

Consider seeking medical advice if you experience:

• Periods lasting longer than 7 days
• Extremely heavy bleeding (soaking through a pad or tampon every hour)
• Severe pain that interferes with daily activities
• Irregular periods (cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days)
• Bleeding between periods
• Sudden changes in your menstrual pattern

A healthcare provider can help determine if these symptoms are caused by underlying conditions such as uterine polyps, ovarian cysts, or hormonal imbalances, and recommend appropriate treatment options.

The Age of Menarche: Trends and Influences

The age at which a girl experiences her first menstrual period, known as menarche, has been a topic of interest and research for decades. While the average age of menarche in the United States is currently around 12.6 years, this figure has changed over time.

Has the Age of Menarche Changed Over Time?

Yes, the age of menarche has generally decreased over the past century:

• Early 1900s: Average age was around 14-15 years
• 1960s: Average age decreased to about 12-13 years
• Current: Average age is approximately 12.6 years

This gradual decrease in the age of menarche is attributed to various factors, including improved nutrition, changes in body composition, and environmental influences.

Is the Age of Menarche Inherited?

Contrary to popular belief, the age at which a girl starts her period is not directly inherited from her mother. While there may be some genetic influences, environmental and lifestyle factors play a more significant role in determining the onset of menstruation.

Factors Influencing the Age of Menarche

Several factors contribute to the timing of a girl’s first menstrual period. Understanding these can help parents and caregivers better prepare for this significant milestone in a young woman’s life.

What Determines When a Girl Will Start Her Period?

Key factors influencing the age of menarche include:

1. Body weight and composition
2. Nutrition and diet
3. Physical activity levels
4. Environmental factors (such as exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals)
5. Socioeconomic status
6. Geographical location
7. Ethnicity

Of these factors, body weight and composition appear to be the most significant determinants. Girls who reach a certain weight and height, typically around 100 pounds, may be more likely to start menstruating earlier.

The Role of Body Fat in Menarche

Body fat percentage plays a crucial role in the onset of menstruation. This is because:

• Fat tissue stores estrogen
• Higher body fat leads to increased estrogen levels
• Elevated estrogen triggers the beginning of menstruation

This relationship between body fat and menarche may explain why the average age of first periods has decreased over time, coinciding with increases in childhood obesity rates.

Modern Influences on Menarche Age

In recent years, researchers have proposed several theories to explain the trend towards earlier menarche. These theories reflect the complex interplay between biological, environmental, and societal factors affecting puberty onset.

What Modern Factors May Be Influencing Earlier Menarche?

Some proposed influences include:

• Increased exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the environment
• Changes in diet and food production methods
• Increased rates of childhood obesity
• Exposure to artificial light, affecting circadian rhythms
• Earlier onset of breast development
• Societal sexualization and exposure to sexual content at younger ages

While these factors are still being studied, they highlight the complex nature of pubertal development and the potential impacts of our modern environment on reproductive health.

Managing Menstrual Health: Best Practices

Maintaining good menstrual health involves more than just managing symptoms during your period. It requires a holistic approach to physical and emotional well-being throughout your menstrual cycle.

How Can You Maintain Optimal Menstrual Health?

Consider implementing these practices:

1. Track your menstrual cycle to identify patterns and irregularities
2. Maintain a balanced diet rich in iron, calcium, and vitamins
3. Stay hydrated, especially during your period
4. Exercise regularly, adjusting intensity during menstruation if needed
5. Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga
6. Get adequate sleep
7. Use appropriate menstrual hygiene products and change them regularly
8. Attend regular check-ups with your gynecologist

By adopting these habits, you can help ensure better overall menstrual health and potentially reduce the severity of symptoms like leg weakness and fatigue during your period.

The Importance of Regular Gynecological Check-ups

Regular visits to your gynecologist are crucial for maintaining reproductive health. These check-ups can:

• Detect potential issues early
• Monitor changes in your menstrual cycle
• Provide opportunities to discuss concerns or symptoms
• Offer preventive care and screenings
• Help manage menstrual disorders or irregularities

Most healthcare providers recommend annual gynecological exams for women, though the frequency may vary based on individual health needs and risk factors.

Hormonal Treatments for Menstrual Irregularities

In some cases, hormonal treatments may be recommended to manage menstrual irregularities or prolonged bleeding. These treatments can help regulate the menstrual cycle and alleviate associated symptoms.

When Are Hormonal Treatments Considered for Menstrual Issues?

Hormonal treatments might be suggested in situations such as:

• Prolonged periods lasting more than 4 weeks
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• Endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

The type and dosage of hormonal treatment will depend on the specific issue and the individual’s overall health profile.

Types of Hormonal Treatments for Menstrual Disorders

Common hormonal treatments include:

1. Combined oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
2. Progestin-only pills
3. Hormonal IUDs
4. Tranexamic acid
5. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists

These treatments work by regulating hormone levels, which can help control the menstrual cycle and reduce symptoms. However, they should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare provider, as they may have side effects and contraindications.

Empowering Women Through Menstrual Health Education

Education about menstrual health is crucial for empowering women to understand their bodies and make informed decisions about their reproductive health. By increasing awareness and knowledge, we can help reduce stigma and improve overall well-being.

How Can We Improve Menstrual Health Education?

Strategies to enhance menstrual health education include:

• Incorporating comprehensive menstrual health topics in school curricula
• Providing accessible, accurate information through healthcare providers and online resources
• Encouraging open discussions about menstruation in families and communities
• Supporting menstrual health initiatives and research
• Addressing cultural taboos and misconceptions about menstruation

By promoting better understanding and open dialogue about menstruation, we can help ensure that women have the knowledge and support they need to manage their menstrual health effectively.

The Role of Technology in Menstrual Health Management

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in menstrual health management. Some innovative approaches include:

1. Period tracking apps that help predict cycles and monitor symptoms
2. Wearable devices that can track physiological changes throughout the menstrual cycle
3. Telemedicine platforms providing access to gynecological consultations
4. Online communities offering support and information sharing
5. Smart menstrual products that can monitor flow and provide personalized insights

These technological advancements are empowering women to take a more proactive approach to their menstrual health, providing valuable data and insights that can inform both personal health decisions and medical care.

Dealing with Menstruation Problems

Q1. I often feel weak and drained (even my legs feel weak) during menstruation. There are days when I just want to stay in bed, and I am without energy for the full six days of my period. Why is this? Should I be worried? Is there anything I can do?

— Kimberley, Virginia

Weakness during menstruation is usually caused by dehydration, due to the loss of fluid and blood that occur during your period. This is probably not worrisome, though. The best way to counteract menstrual-linked weakness is to drink plenty of fluids, especially those containing electrolytes, such as Gatorade, Powerade, or other sports drinks. Water is also a good way to stay hydrated during your period. In addition, be sure to eat healthfully, and don’t go for long stretches without having a snack or small meal. Eating properly during your period can help prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), thereby preventing any additional weakness. Dehydration is the more important issue, though.

Q2. I started my period early in childhood (I was 11 years old). How likely is it that my girls will start early as well?

— Becky, Oregon

The short answer to your question is that the age at which a woman starts her period is not inherited. Here’s some background: Menarche, or the age of the first menstrual period, has become progressively younger in the past century. In fact, some claims report a decline of two to two-and-a-half years from about 1900 to the 1960s, but the most reliable North American surveys indicate just a two- to three-month decline from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s; today, the average age in the United States is 12.6 years old.

There are both genetic and environmental factors at play here. In general, a girl’s weight and body-fat percentage are the most precise determinants of when she will begin having periods. This is due to the fact that estrogen levels are stored in fat, so once a girl reaches a certain weight and height, her rising hormone levels trigger menstruation. If your daughters have the same body size and shape that you did at 11 years old, they may start menstruating then, but age alone is not the determinant.

Experts hypothesize that today’s girls reach menarche earlier because their diets contain more fat, and thus they weigh more than their counterparts did in the early 1900s. Some researchers point to the increased incidence of childhood obesity, as attaining a weight of 100 pounds appears to be a trigger for very young girls reaching menarche. Other theories include environmental exposure to chemicals that mimic the effects of estrogen and also the impact of the sexualization of our society.

Q3. I am about to get married next week. I have had my period for three weeks now. Everyone is saying that stress is the reason my menstruation has lasted this long. Could this be true? I actually have been pretty calm throughout the process.

– De De, Illinois

De De, first, congratulations on your marriage. And yes, stress — even at a level that you may not perceive — can be responsible for altering your hormone levels enough to disrupt your periods. But there are other things that can cause you to have your period for three weeks, like uterine polyps, ovarian cysts, or a systemic illness.

Most women between 20 and 45 will have an occasional abnormal period every few years. That’s one reason it’s important to be evaluated regularly by your gynecologist, who will do a pelvic exam, or even a sonogram (ultrasound imaging) to look at the ovaries and uterus (depending on your age) to make sure everything’s okay. In your case, if your next period is normal, treatment is probably unnecessary. However, if your current period continues beyond four weeks, I suggest you contact your doctor who may want to treat you with a low dose of hormones to regulate the menstrual cycle.

RELATED: The United States of Stress

Learn more in the Everyday Health Women’s Health Center.

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Dysmenorrhea | Johns Hopkins Medicine

What is dysmenorrhea?

Dysmenorrhea causes severe and frequent cramps and pain during your period. It may be either primary or secondary.

• Primary dysmenorrhea. This occurs when you first start your period and continues throughout your life. It is usually life-long. It can cause severe and frequent menstrual cramping from severe and abnormal uterine contractions.

• Secondary dysmenorrhea. This type is due to some physical cause. It usually starts later in life. It may be caused by another medical condition, such as pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis.

What causes dysmenorrhea?

Women with primary dysmenorrhea have abnormal contractions of the uterus due to a chemical imbalance in the body. For example, the chemical prostaglandin control the contractions of the uterus.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by other medical conditions, most often endometriosis. This is a condition in which endometrial tissue implants outside the uterus. Endometriosis often causes internal bleeding, infection, and pelvic pain.

Other causes of secondary dysmenorrhea include the following:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

• Uterine fibroids

• Abnormal pregnancy (miscarriage, ectopic)

• Infection, tumors, or polyps in the pelvic cavity

What are the symptoms of dysmenorrhea?

The following are the most common symptoms of dysmenorrhea. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• Cramping in the lower abdomen

• Pain in the lower abdomen

• Low back pain

• Pain radiating down the legs

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Fatigue

• Weakness

• Fainting

• Headaches

The symptoms of dysmenorrhea may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis.

What are the risk factors for dysmenorrhea?

While any woman can develop dysmenorrhea, the following women may be at an increased risk for the condition:

• Women who smoke

• Women who drink alcohol during their period (alcohol tends to prolong menstrual pain)

• Women who are overweight

• Women who started their periods before the age of 11

• Women who have never been pregnant

Consult your health care provider for more information.

How is dysmenorrhea diagnosed?

To diagnose dysmenorrhea, your health care provider will evaluate your medical history and do a complete physical and pelvic exam. Other tests may include:

• Ultrasound. This test uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test uses large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to make detailed images of organs and structures within the body.

• Laparoscopy. This minor procedure uses a laparoscope. This is a thin tube with a lens and a light. It is inserted into an incision in the abdominal wall. Using the laparoscope to see into the pelvic and abdomen area, the doctor can often detect abnormal growths.

• Hysteroscopy. This is the visual exam of the canal of the cervix and the inside of the uterus. It uses a viewing instrument (hysteroscope) inserted through the vagina.

How is dysmenorrhea treated?

Specific treatment for dysmenorrhea will be determined by your health care provider based on:

• Your age, overall health, and medical history

• Extent of the condition

• Cause of the condition (primary or secondary)

• Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

• Expectations for the course of the condition

• Your opinion or preference

Treatment to manage dysmenorrhea symptoms may include:

• Prostaglandin inhibitors, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, or NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen (to reduce pain)

• Acetaminophen

• Oral contraceptives (ovulation inhibitors)

• Progesterone (hormone treatment)

• Diet changes (to increase protein and decrease sugar and caffeine intake)

• Vitamin supplements

• Regular exercise

• Heating pad across the abdomen

• Hot bath or shower

• Abdominal massage

• Endometrial ablation (a procedure to destroy the lining of the uterus)

• Endometrial resection (a procedure to remove the lining of the uterus).

• Hysterectomy ( the surgical removal of the uterus)

Key points

• Dysmenorrhea is characterized by severe and frequent menstrual cramps and pain during your period.

• Dysmenorrhea may be primary, existing from the beginning of periods, or secondary, due to an underlying condition.

• Symptoms may include cramping or pain in the lower abdomen, low back pain, pain spreading down the legs, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, weakness, fainting, or headaches.

• Treatments may include NSAIDS, acetaminophen, birth control pills, hormone treatment, dietary changes, vitamins, exercise, heat, or massage.

• In extreme conditions, surgery may be needed.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your health care provider:

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.

• At the visit, write down the names of new medicines, treatments, or tests, and any new instructions your provider gives you.

• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

Pain during menstruation: causes, treatment and recommendations

Pain during menstruation: causes, treatment and recommendations | Alpha Clinic

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Pain during menstruation – a norm or a disease?

Painful periods darken life and break the usual rhythm of most women. Many have reconciled and perceive it as an inevitable condition. Is this so and is it worth sounding the alarm if the stomach hurts during menstruation?

Alfa Clinic gynecologists say that menstruation pain is not normal!

Pain during menstruation is monthly knocked out of the usual rhythm for 2-3 days. In the course of their lives, they take away from women as much as 5.5 years! Painful menstruation is the most common gynecological problem faced by girls.

Together with the gynecologist-endocrinologist of the Alpha Clinic Medical Center Nikulina Evgenia Gennadievna, we will figure out what menstruation is, what menstrual cycle is considered normal, and in what situations one should suspect a pathology and consult a doctor.

Nikulina Evgenia Gennadievna /
gynecologist-endocrinologist / experience 30 years

Pain during menstruation

The reproductive system of a healthy woman is very complex and functions with a clear cycle. The main reproductive process in the female body is menstruation – the menstrual cycle, strictly regulated by hormones.

The main function of the menstrual cycle is to prepare the reproductive system and other organs of a woman for conception and childbearing. It is on this basis that the onset of menstruation is a signal of the maturity of the girl’s body, which speaks of her physiological readiness for motherhood. But it doesn’t always go right.

Most experience symptoms such as severe pain in the first cycle – dysmenorrhea, as well as copious discharge – menorrhagia (hypermenorrhea). We will talk about this in our new article.

According to statistics, approximately 80% of women suffer from menstrual pain of varying severity. Usually, discomfort develops within the first 4 hours after the onset of menstruation and lasts for 1-2 days. However, in severe cases, pain can occur a few days before the onset of menstruation and continue for several days or until the very end of menstruation. A healthy representative of the fair sex should not experience strong pain and notice bright pathological symptoms. Any violations and deviations from these norms are considered a pathology and require mandatory medical intervention – a gynecologist-endocrinologist at Alfa Clinic.

Severe menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)

The disease is menstruation, which is accompanied by an intense pain syndrome that interferes with the normal activity and motor activity of a woman. Pain in this case is usually localized in the lower abdomen, spreading to the lumbar region.

According to data, more than 50% of all women periodically experience dysmenorrhea.

Painful periods may be accompanied by manifestations:

• Deterioration of vascular function: is manifested by swelling of the face, numbness of the extremities, arrhythmias, headaches and dizziness.

• Emotional and mental disorders: insomnia, drowsiness, irritability, sensitivity to smells, changes in eating habits, depression, anxiety.

• Symptoms of disorders of the autonomic nervous system: digestive disorders, bloating, dry mouth, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, belching, frequent urination, increased sweating, fainting.

• Signs of metabolic disorders: itching, weakness, feeling of cottony legs, swelling of different localization.

Dysmenorrhea has 3 degrees:

1. Light – such pains are insignificant, are observed only on the first day of menstruation, are not accompanied by other symptoms and do not interfere with the usual way of life.

2. Moderate – pain can last up to 2-3 days of menstruation, there are also other signs of malaise (nausea, weakness, headache), and although discomfort disturbs the usual rhythm of life, the patient does not lose her ability to work and can go to work or study.

3. Severe – the pain develops even before the onset of menstruation and can continue until it ends, the ability to work is significantly reduced or completely lost, the accompanying signs are also pronounced.

Classification and causes of painful periods

Why menstruation is painful depends on the type of dysmenorrhea. She may be:

Primary dysmenorrhea often worries teenagers and young women. For many patients, the pain subsides after the age of 25. As a rule, primary dysmenorrhea develops 1.5–2 years after the onset of the first menstruation, when the menstrual cycle is established.

There is a theory that dysmenorrhea occurs against the background of psychosomatic disorders.

The most popular version is that the cause of this process is an increase in the amount of female sex hormones progesterone and estradiol (estrogen). The level of estrogen rises during ovulation, and progesterone – after it – Nikulina Evgenia Gennadievna.

There is a risk group that includes women with an increased likelihood of developing primary dysmenorrhea:

• Professional athletes, representatives of professions associated with hard physical labor (this kind of activity also affects the intensity of pain).

• Patients with a genetic predisposition: if the mother or grandmother suffers from menstrual pain, then the risk of dysmenorrhea increases to 30%.

• Numb women.

• Overweight patients.

Also, the development of primary dysmenorrhea can be provoked by: infectious diseases (including sexually transmitted infections), hypothermia or overheating of the body, stress, emotional and mental overload – Evgenia Gennadievna.

Secondary dysmenorrhea develops against the background of diseases: more often gynecological. These include:

• Congenital anomalies of the uterus: underdevelopment, pathological location (bend).

• Inflammatory processes in the internal genital organs (for example, inflammation of the appendages).

• Endometriosis and adenomyosis – the growth of cells of the inner lining of the uterus.

• Ectopic pregnancy.

• Polyps, uterine fibroids are benign neoplasms.

• Stagnation of blood in the pelvic organs.

Dysmenorrhea can also be caused by non-gynecological diseases. For example, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (most often – irritable bowel syndrome), inflammatory processes in the organs of the urinary system.

Diagnosis of painful periods in girls

You should consult a doctor if the pain during menstruation is severe and significantly reduces the quality of your life. And urgently make an appointment in the following cases:

• Dysmenorrhea has developed for the first time.

• The pain lasts for more than a week.

• The pain syndrome is unbearable.

• Dysmenorrhea is accompanied by an increase in body temperature or an increase in the amount of menstrual flow.

The gynecologist will collect an anamnesis, conduct an examination and prescribe additional studies.

Diagnosis for dysmenorrhea begins with the appointment of tests:

• In the CBC, it is possible to track signs of inflammation or anemia (decrease in red blood cells and hemoglobin), which is typical for the inflammatory process, intra-abdominal bleeding (H: ovarian rupture or cyst).

• OAM allows you to delete disorders of the urinary system.

• A biochemical blood test helps to diagnose the pathology of the biliary system, heart disease, etc., which often accompanies primary dysmenorrhea.

Then proceed to the instrumental methods of examination:

• Colposcopy reveals inflammatory diseases and pathology of the cervix.

• Ultrasound of the pelvis allows you to determine tumor-like formations, inflammation of the uterus / appendages, the presence of adhesions.

• In parallel, a comprehensive ultrasound of the internal organs is performed.

Based on the examination and the results of the research, the doctor will find out why menstruation is painful and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Menorrhagia (hypermenorrhea)

In this disease, a lot of blood is lost due to lengthening, increased frequency or profuse menstruation. The disease is quite common – every third woman encounters it during her life. The disease is caused by gynecological diseases, hormonal failures, diseases of the circulatory system and internal organs.

The disease is manifested by too heavy or prolonged periods, which are accompanied by significant blood loss. Such a pathological condition is spoken of if the critical days last more than 7 days. Usually, with menorrhagia, other symptoms are completely absent, but the woman experiences significant discomfort due to such abundant discharge.

Prolonged and severe blood loss can lead to anemia, which manifests itself in a deterioration in well-being, weakness, dizziness, and the development of fainting. Often with menorrhagia, bleeding from the gums and nose, bruising, bruising on the body occur.

Causes of hypermenorrhea

The following disorders can serve as the reasons leading to the development of menorrhagia (hypermenorrhea):

• Hormonal instability. It is especially pronounced in patients of premenopausal and transitional age. Hormonal instability during these physiological periods increases the risk of developing hypermenorrhea.

• Diseases of the reproductive system: fibroids, polyps, uterine adenomyosis, ovarian dysfunction. They develop due to hormonal imbalance in the body and cause menorrhagia in 80% of women.

• Use of intrauterine contraceptives. Menorrhagia in this case is an undesirable side effect.

• Diseases associated with a violation of the blood coagulation system (for example, vitamin K deficiency), as well as taking certain drugs that affect clotting (anticoagulants). Increased bleeding that accompanies disorders of the blood coagulation system can be manifested by heavy menstruation.

• hereditary menorrhagia. Often, menorrhagia is a family disease transmitted through the female line of inheritance.

• Diseases of the pelvic organs, thyroid gland, kidneys, liver, heart. With menorrhagia, the patient should consult with an endocrinologist and a therapist to exclude endocrine and general somatic causes of heavy menstruation.

• Excessive power loads, overwork, stressful situations, changes in climatic conditions. All factors that force the body to adapt to new conditions and stress can trigger the development of menorrhagia.

What causes hypermenstrual syndrome?

Large blood loss does not pass without a trace for the female body. Anemia (anemia) occurs, accompanied by a decrease in the number of red blood cells – erythrocytes, a decrease in the content of hemoglobin and iron.

Since high blood loss reduces the amount of hemoglobin that delivers oxygen to tissues, the body experiences oxygen starvation. This negatively affects the functioning of the liver, heart, brain, and nervous system. Pressure drops, fainting, dizziness, palpitations occur. Increased fatigue, decreased performance, cold intolerance, headaches appear. Specific changes are formed in the tongue – smoothness of the relief, atrophy of the papillae. Skin becomes pale, nails become brittle, and hair becomes dull. The work of the immune system is suppressed – a woman easily picks up infections, becomes seriously ill, her wounds and cuts do not heal well – Alfa Clinic gynecologist explains.

Attempts to correct the situation by taking vitamins and mineral complexes without the main treatment will not bring results, because the causes of the violation are not eliminated.

Since this condition is caused by a variety of reasons, its diagnosis is a complex process. Patients are assigned:

• A blood test that determines the level of hemoglobin and red blood cell counts. This makes it possible to assess the degree of anemia that has arisen.

• Urinalysis, which reveals disorders of the kidneys and liver, which can also cause hypermenstrual manifestations. With renal pathologies, the urine is reddish or cloudy, and with liver pathologies it is dark. The analysis reveals impurities of blood, pus, liver pigments.

• Biochemical blood test for the maximum number of indicators. This is necessary to find out the state of the liver, kidneys, heart, metabolic processes.

• Blood for hormones. The concentration of hormones produced by the thyroid gland, ovaries, adrenal glands and pituitary gland is determined. With the help of such a study, it is possible to understand whether the patient has endocrine pathologies.

• Analysis for blood clotting and duration of bleeding. Genetic mutations are also being investigated that cause a deficiency of hemostasis factors – substances due to which blood clots form.

Ultrasound of the pelvic organs is prescribed to detect tumors, cysts, polyps. With the help of ultrasound diagnostics, doctors determine the condition of the inner uterine layer, the violation of which leads to hypermenstrual syndrome.

Based on the results of diagnostic procedures, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment aimed at eliminating or correcting the causes of heavy critical days.

How can a woman understand that she is losing a lot of blood?

You can determine the intensity of menstruation by the number of personal hygiene products to be replaced:

• Weak – two pads / tampons are enough, on which slight bloody marks are found. Such bleeding is considered normal at the beginning and at the end of critical days.

• Light – Approximately 3-4 pads or tampons of medium absorbency are used per day.

• Moderate – Pads/tampons need to be changed after about 4 hours.

• Heavy – have to use extra absorbent pads that have to be replaced every three hours.

• Very rich – in this case, even superabsorbents do not last more than 2 hours, so they have to be constantly changed. Sometimes women are forced to use two pads at the same time. With such blood loss, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Prevention of period pain

Moderate menstrual pain that occurs in a healthy woman can be prevented with preventive measures. These include:

• Diet – 15 days before the onset of menstruation, it is necessary to give up salty, excessively fatty, spicy foods and carbonated drinks, and a few days before coffee; the diet should consist of vegetables, fruits, lean meats, fish and seafood (they contain omega-3 acids that have an anti-inflammatory effect).

• Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 2-4 days before menstruation (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.) – they help reduce the level of prostaglandins, but it is necessary to consult a doctor about their use, as they can have a negative effect on the mucous lining of the stomach, and in some conditions they should not be used or should be used with caution.

• Reasonable physical activity , for example, yoga – pains become less pronounced.

• Phytotherapy – the production of prostaglandins decreases with the use of blackcurrant and evening primrose oils, fennel or tea from it can reduce the number of uterine contractions, ginger tea relieves vasospasm (phytopreparations are also taken after consulting a doctor).

• Stress avoidance and good sleep .

Bleeding and severe pain is always an emergency. Therefore, delaying a visit to the doctor, the woman independently exacerbates the severity of anemia, worsens the state of the blood coagulation system – Alfa Clinic doctor Evgenia Gennadievna Nikulina warns.

To preserve and restore women’s health, Alfa Clinic employs the best specialists. Our doctors, who are fluent in their craft, are ready to fight any of your ailments!

Gynecologists explain to patients why menstruation is painful, and individually select treatment methods. Thanks to high professionalism and a personalized approach to each patient, specialists achieve the highest results in maintaining and strengthening women’s reproductive health. Sign up now!

By phone: +7 (383) 349-70-31

Or use the online appointment with a doctor on our website: https://alfa-clinic.com

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Legs hurt during menstruation

Content

• 1 Causes
• 2 Symptoms
  • 2.1 Physiological processes
  • 2.2 Algodysmenorrhea
  • 2. 3 Inflammatory diseases
  • 2.4 Pathology of the venous system
  • 2.5 Polyneuropathies
  • 2.6 Articular diseases

The onset of menstruation is a common occurrence for a woman of reproductive age. Well, if they come on time and proceed painlessly. But many, unfortunately, during this period feel signs that are far from pleasant. And one of these symptoms is pain in the legs. Discomfort on critical days can be a frequent occurrence, which becomes a real problem for a woman. And many people want to know why their legs hurt on different days of the menstrual cycle.

Causes

Menstruation indicates the readiness of a woman’s body to conceive a child. In the most favorable case, they begin almost imperceptibly. But this is not always the case. Many women have to endure quite unpleasant moments, including leg pain. Sometimes this fits into the framework of physiological processes based on hormonal changes, and there are other situations associated with deviations from the norm. The latter include:

• Algodysmenorrhea.
• Inflammatory diseases.
• Pathology of the venous system.
• Polyneuropathies.
• Articular diseases.

Pain in the lower extremities are directly related to menstruation or are observed in parallel, being a sign of concomitant pathology. Each case is individual, and only a doctor can determine the origin of unpleasant symptoms.

If your legs hurt during or before your period, you should consult a specialist. The cause should be sought in hormonal, vascular or other changes in the body.

Symptoms

Any abnormalities in the state of the body must be identified with the definition of the main signs and provoking factors. It is the subjective symptoms that occur during menstruation that cause a lot of suffering to women. Pain in the legs may have the following features:

1. Aching, pulling, squeezing.
2. Weak, moderate or fairly strong.
3. Localized in the thighs or legs, on the back or front surface.
4. Disturbed periodically or almost constantly.
5. Appear at various intervals: during menstruation, before or after.
6. Increase with walking and exercise, or have no connection with external factors.

But you should pay attention to other symptoms that may be present in a woman and can help in determining the cause of pain in the lower extremities.

Physiological processes

Sometimes the legs can hurt even in a perfectly healthy woman. This is due to hormonal changes that occur during menstruation. In the middle of the cycle, there is an increase in the level of progesterone, which expands the vessels of the uterus, affecting other organs. In particular, the veins of the small pelvis and lower extremities are susceptible to it. Expanding, they contain a larger volume of blood, which can cause heaviness in the legs and swelling.

Pain in the lower extremities sometimes accompanies the establishment of the menstrual cycle in girls during puberty. In this case, there is an imbalance between the growth of the musculoskeletal system and reproductive function, which affects the blood supply and innervation of the tissues of the small pelvis and lower extremities. But with the establishment of menstruation and with regular sexual activity, the pain disappears.

Asking about the cause of pain in the legs associated with menstruation, you must first consider the possibility of physiological changes in the body of a woman.

Algodysmenorrhea

Menstrual disorders characterized by painful periods are called algodysmenorrhea. It can develop primarily (functional) or against the background of anatomical changes in the genitals. But despite the origin, the complex of symptoms will be the same:

• Pain in the lower abdomen of a cramping nature.
• Discomfort extends to the lower back, groin and thighs.
• Headaches and dizziness.
• Bloating, nausea and even vomiting.
• General weakness, irritability.

Algodysmenorrhea can lead to reduced ability to work and significantly reduce the quality of life. Therefore, it is not only a medical, but also a social problem.

Inflammatory diseases

Quite often the menstrual cycle is disturbed in inflammatory diseases that affect the female genital area. The most common pathology of the uterine appendages is adnexitis (salpingoophoritis). At first, the disease develops as an acute process, but later becomes chronic. At the same time, pains in the lower abdomen will disturb, which radiate to the legs or lumbar region. Physiological secretions may change and discomfort may be felt during intercourse.

If inflammation is left untreated for a long time, it provokes the growth of connective tissue and the appearance of adhesions in the fallopian tubes, which can cause infertility.

Pathology of the venous system

Given the effect of female sex hormones on the vascular wall, it can be assumed that pain in the legs associated with menstruation is a sign of venous insufficiency and impaired blood outflow. This often occurs with varicose veins or thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities. And women have to deal with the following symptoms:

• Heaviness in the legs, worse in the evening.
• Swelling of legs and feet.
• Visible expansion of the superficial veins, the appearance of “knots”.
• Trophic changes in the skin.

Thrombophlebitis is characterized by inflammation of the vein wall, which means that the pain will be much more pronounced, a strip of redness will become visible on the skin. In the same place, you can feel a dense cord – this is the affected vessel.

Polyneuropathy

Sometimes it happens that the legs hurt not only during menstruation, but also at other times. Then you should look for reasons that have no connection with the menstrual cycle. Such conditions include polyneuropathies, which are a common pathology in patients with endocrine-metabolic diseases (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, etc.). First, the distal (lower) parts of the limbs are affected, and then the process rises higher. In addition to persistent and rather intense pain in the legs, there are other neurological symptoms:

• Skin numbness, tingling, burning, goosebumps.
• Reduced sensitivity.
• Change of reflex reactions.
• Muscle weakness.

During the examination, the doctor pays attention not only to the manifestations of neuropathy, but also takes into account the signs of the underlying disease.

Joint diseases

Pathology of the joints of the lower extremities can occur in women at any age. Even degenerative-dystrophic diseases, such as osteoarthritis, often develop in the reproductive period of life. And pain in the legs sometimes coincides with menstruation. But at the same time they are associated with movements and physical activity. In addition, in the clinical picture there will be other symptoms indicating the pathology of the musculoskeletal system:

• Swelling and redness of the skin over the joints.
• Restriction of movement in the knee or hip region.
• Soreness of the joints on palpation.

Thus, if your legs hurt during menstruation, then you need to undergo a medical examination. Why pain occurs in a particular patient, the doctor will determine. It is possible that this discomfort is temporary, as it is associated with physiological processes. But it is impossible to exclude other causes that are within the framework of pathological disorders that require timely detection.