Why Does Leg Pain During Periods?

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Leg pain during periods happens because of a “mix-up” or “confusion” in your brain’s pain signals. Medically this is known as referred pain. But the underlying culprit here is excess production of prostaglandins.

Most Common Cause of Leg Pain During Periods

When excess prostaglandins are produced, they cause more intense uterine contractions. These contractions can compress nearby nerves, such as the sciatic nerve, which runs down the leg. Because the pelvic nerves and sciatic nerve are so closely linked, your brain mistakenly perceives the pain as coming directly from your legs.When the pain radiates to your legs, it can feel like:

  • A sudden, sharp pain that shoots through one or both legs.
  • Feelings of numbness, ‘pins and needles,’ or leg weakness.
  • Pain that intensifies when you try to move or when you’re sitting still.

Warning: Leg Pain That Outlasts Your Period is a Red Flag

If your leg pain and pelvic pain persist for days or weeks after your period is over, consider this a critical red flag. This indicates a chronic issue, likely an underlying condition such as Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, or Uterine Fibroids. These conditions can cause persistent inflammation or enlargement of the uterus, leading to constant irritation of nerves, including the sciatic nerve. If the pain continues, visit a gynaecologist right away.

Remember, standard period cramps and the resulting leg pain are directly tied to your menstrual cycle; they should stop when your bleeding ends.

The image is an infographic with a pink and dark blue background titled "Why Does Leg Pain During Periods?" in bold white and pink text. It explains that during menstruation, excess prostaglandins cause strong uterine contractions that can compress nearby nerves, such as the sciatic nerve. This sciatic nerve pain during period can confuse the brain, making it perceive menstrual cramps as radiating down the leg. A small circular icon of a woman with brown hair is shown near the bottom. Beneath that, in smaller white text, it advises that if leg pain during menstruation and pelvic pain persist for days or weeks after a period, it may indicate gynecological conditions like Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, or Uterine Fibroids.The graphic ends with the campaign message "STOP The Period Pain." Which is a knowledge initiative campaign by Blue Cross Laboratories the makers of meftal spas

Your Journey to #StopThePeriodPain Starts Here

Every month, millions of Indian girls & women suffer in silence, told that their severe period pain (dysmenorrhea) is “normal.” Our mission is to break that silence. #StopThePeriodPain campaign is here to empower you with 3 simple truths:

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Period Pain Calculator Section

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For real, how bad is your pain? Our interactive tool uses a 1-10 pain scale and a few quick questions to help you get the full picture. In just a few clicks, you’ll know if your pain is a chill or a major red flag.

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References:

  1. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology – Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and its effect on quality of life among nursing students
  2. Prevalence And Management Of Dysmenorrhea Among The Adolescents Of Selected Schools Of Rehan, Distt Kangra
  3. A Study of School Absenteeism During Menstruation Amongst Adolescent Schoolgirls in An Urban Area of North India
  4. Times of India – Why ‘Period pain is normal’ might be the biggest myth in women’s health
  5. Health Radius – Top 5 menstrual problems women shouldn’t ignore
  6. Financial Express – Period pain may not always be routine