Painful menstrual cramps, breast tenderness or mood swings in the premenstrual period Most of us probably know it. But menstruation looks different for everyone, and what is almost normal and typical for your days, your friend may have never experienced or heard of.
Let's introduce 5 lesser-known menstrual symptoms that are not often talked about, but many women experience on a regular monthly basis.
Joint and muscle pain
During your period, you may experience discomfort and pain in your joints or muscles, which can be caused by a number of different factors, including fluctuating levels of reproductive hormones and an increase in prostaglandins.
When it comes to muscle tension and pain, pain in the back of the thighs or legs is a common symptom . During menstruation, the body produces prostaglandins , chemicals that help the uterus contract and shed its lining. ( 1 ) These contractions can affect surrounding blood vessels, nerves, and muscles, including those in the legs, causing pain or cramps. Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can also affect blood flow and lead to water retention , which generally affects the lower body.
Menstrual migraine
An estimated one in five women suffer from migraines. ( 2 ) Migraines affect more women than men, and there is a known link between migraines and hormonal changes throughout a woman’s life. ( 3 ) The main cause of menstrual migraines is fluctuations in estrogen levels during the menstrual cycle. ( 4 ) Estrogen levels rise just before ovulation and then drop sharply when menstruation begins. This drop in estrogen, as well as higher levels of prostaglandins, may play a role in menstrual migraines.
There are two types of menstrual migraine. The first is menstrual migraine, which occurs exclusively during menstruation , with no attacks at other times of the month. The second type is migraine that occurs at other stages of the cycle, so while hormonal triggers still play an important role, a woman may suffer from migraines more often, not just around menstruation.
Rectal pain
During menstruation, in addition to pain in the lower abdomen, you may also experience cramping pain in the buttocks or directly in the rectum. And again, the well-known prostaglandins may play a role in this. Although these hormones are necessary in the process of shedding part of the uterine lining during menstruation, their excessive production can also affect other areas of the pelvic floor, such as the rectum.
Constipation or diarrhea
As your period approaches and during your bleeding, you may notice a change in stool frequency and consistency, such as constipation or diarrhea, or you may experience other gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating or abdominal cramps.
Hormonal fluctuations during your cycle may be responsible for changes in your stool. The hormone progesterone slows down the passage of food through your gastrointestinal tract. This is why you may experience constipation during the luteal phase, when progesterone levels are at their peak. As your period approaches, progesterone levels drop and prostaglandin levels rise . This in turn causes food to move more quickly through your gastrointestinal tract, and in the early days of your period, constipation or normal bowel movements can be replaced by diarrhea. ( 5 )
Our food choices throughout the cycle, and especially in the late luteal phase, also play a role. As menstruation approaches, our tastes and eating patterns may change. During these days, we may be more inclined to reach for foods with a higher sugar or fat content and less fiber, which can lead to delayed bowel movements.
Vulvar pain
The vulva is the name given to the external female genitalia, which includes the labia, clitoris, the vaginal vestibule, where the urethra opens, and the vaginal opening. Some women may experience pain or discomfort in the vulva during their menstrual period. This may be due to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, which can affect blood flow, increase sensitivity, or cause swelling in the area.
Let's not forget the role of intimate products. Pads and other menstrual products can cause friction in intimate areas, which can cause irritation or damage to the skin, especially if we wear them for too long or if the material is not breathable enough. Our 100% organic cotton pads and tampons ensure perfect breathability and the intimate area will not get steamy or chafe against artificial fibers.
Other potential conditions that can cause vulvar pain include vulvodynia, which is chronic vulvar pain with no known cause, vaginal infections, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and endometriosis ( 6 , 7 ) .
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With love
The Femvie team
