Why do knees and joints hurt before menstruation?

Many women learn about the approach of “critical days” by the appearance of PMS (premenstrual syndrome), during which the breasts swell, the lower back hurts, the head hurts and the lower abdomen pulls.

There are many manifestations of PMS, one of them is pain and swelling of the legs, which persists on the first day of menstruation. Sometimes the ache is so strong that it covers up all other unpleasant sensations. Along with pain, swelling of the legs and cramps of the calf muscles are observed.

Menopause and menstruation

Pain in the maple tree is one of the manifestations of menopause.
If the hormonal storms of adolescents are associated with the formation of femininity, then mature women are destined to experience many unpleasant moments in connection with the restructuring of the body to complete the childbearing period. The situation when knees hurt during menstruation is one of the manifestations of menopause.

During premenopause, menstruation becomes more abundant and their regularity becomes less regular. All signs of PMS intensify, heaviness appears throughout the body, fatigue, and aching sensations in the legs are added. If the cause of such sensations is only hormonal changes, then during the period of entering the postmenopausal period, the pain in the legs subsides along with the subsidence of menstruation.

The question is different: during this period, more than ever, joint diseases in women, associated with the restructuring of the functioning of the entire body, become more acute. This is the time when a woman needs a complete change in habits, sleep and rest patterns, nutrition, and regular physical activity.

The cause of sore legs during or before menstruation should be determined together with a doctor - in some cases, this condition may signal the onset of serious pathologies in bone tissue.

Possible complications

Patients whose legs begin to hurt during menstruation should undergo a comprehensive examination. It is important to identify the underlying disease causing the pain. If the cause is not eliminated, the condition will gradually worsen.

Gynecological diseases in advanced form lead to infertility. Diseases of the joints and spine complicate life. Lack of treatment leads to impaired mobility of the limbs, and problems arise when walking. Due to impaired venous tone, blood supply to the extremities deteriorates.

Important! The severity of the consequences will be assessed after establishing the exact cause of the pain.

Women of childbearing age

Arthrosis of the knee joint at the initial stage
During the period when the formation of the sexual sphere is completed, the woman has reached the peak of childbearing age, and is far from menopause, menstruation in a larger group of women becomes regular and occurs with fewer complications. However, a significant number of complaints about knee pain during menstruation come from women of childbearing age, regardless of the presence or absence of pregnancy and childbirth.

One-time cases of this condition may be associated with prolonged stress on the legs during menstruation, or, conversely, long sitting in one position.

This condition can be caused by an organism weakened by overload and a deficiency of vitamins, iron, and calcium. Swelling and pain in the legs may be associated with the functioning of the reproductive system, or they may simply intensify during menstruation and be caused by completely different reasons.

• Joint pain before menstruation

Individual hormonal characteristics of the body that cause particular sensitivity to pain. Disturbances in nerve regulation processes and imbalance of sex hormones lead to pronounced PMS. This situation can be aggravated by stress and exhaustion of the body as a result of constant low-calorie diets.

A disease caused by the anatomical features of the structure of the genital organs, called algodismenorrhea. Regardless of whether the pathology is congenital or acquired, it provokes a serious condition of a woman during her critical days: headaches and dizziness, abdominal pain spreads to the lower back, hips, groin area, while knees may ache, general weakness and even vomiting occur.

Advanced inflammatory processes in the genital organs can also lead to severe pain not only in the lower back, but also in the legs.

Difficult childbirth, operations, not only gynecological, but also abdominal ones, can lead to minor changes in the location of organs and parts of the skeleton. Unnoticeable at normal times, when the uterus swells during menstruation, these changes can cause pain in the lower part of the skeleton.

Such ailments can be caused by reasons that are not at all related to gynecology. In such cases, knee pain, which initially occurs during an acute period for a woman, begins to appear later and at other times. This includes:

1. Problems with the spine.
2. Joint diseases.
3. Circulatory problems and venous insufficiency.
4. Polyneuropathy.
5. The condition is aggravated by the development of such concomitant diseases as diabetes mellitus, hernias, thrombophlebitis, sclerosis, tumors.

What to do

Heating pad for pain relief
First of all, this is a consultation with a gynecologist. At the appointment, you should describe in as much detail as possible the nature of the pain in the knees, the time (before, after or during menstruation, the knees ache), and the frequency of attacks. What will the doctor do?

First of all, he will do all kinds of procedures to determine the state of women's health. If the question “why” remains open to the gynecologist, he will give a referral for examination by other doctors.

Modern medicine has in its arsenal effective ways to alleviate women’s period of menstruation; only for the correct formulation the cause of the ailment must be determined.

General Tips

Salt baths to relieve swelling
Those who are prone to painful conditions during menstruation, including all age groups, should avoid overload during this period.

1. Eliminate heavy, high-calorie foods from your diet and give preference to foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
2. Don't overload your feet with high heels.
3. Salt baths will help relieve swelling.
4. Try to sit or lie down with your legs slightly raised more often.
5. Traditional medicine recommends warm cabbage leaf wraps, mint and lemon balm teas to relieve pain.
6. In the morning, before getting up, it is useful to bandage your legs with an elastic bandage and apply any ointment with an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect under it.

Medicines to relieve pain should be prescribed by a doctor after consultation; it is quite possible that not just painkillers may be prescribed, but drugs that act on the root cause of the painful condition.

At different ages, women experience joint pain before menstruation of a different nature. They may be associated with changes in hormonal levels, or they may be symptoms of inflammation and infections in the reproductive organs. The joints of the lower extremities are more susceptible to this manifestation. To make sure that this is not a disease or a sign of pregnancy, you need to see a doctor. Prevention of painful sensations consists of proper nutrition, bed rest, taking soothing teas and regular exercise.

• Why pain occurs during menstruation: causes of discomfort

What causes leg swelling

Swelling caused by hormonal imbalances is most noticeable in the legs, which become swollen and tingly. Unpleasant sensations intensify in the evening, when the woman has spent enough time “on her feet” or in a sitting position. Sometimes the swelling is so severe that it is impossible to fasten boots or put on shoes.

It is easy to determine swelling - when you press on the calves, a dimple is formed, which does not recover for some time. After the onset of menstruation, the swelling disappears. You can help your body by eliminating salty and smoked foods from your diet, which contribute to the occurrence of edema. But water, oddly enough, helps by washing away salts and accumulated toxins from the body. Drinking soda, tea and coffee only increases swelling.

Why do my joints hurt before menstruation?

The causes of joint pain before menstruation depend on the woman’s age. The table shows age categories and the main causes of pain:

The joints of the legs are more susceptible to pain symptoms, while the knees suffer mainly due to swelling and a rush of fluid into the lower extremities. Stable pain before and during menstruation is a reason to consult a doctor.

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Excess prostaglandins

Prostaglandins are biologically active substances that are produced in the body and are involved in the regulation of body temperature, sleep, and the mechanisms of pain and inflammation1. The severity of menstrual pain and associated symptoms may be directly proportional to the amount of prostaglandins produced. It is assumed that they are intensely released from degrading cells during the rejection of the endometrium lining the uterus. Excessive production of prostaglandins also leads to impaired pain sensitivity due to strong contraction of the muscular layer of the uterus and its hypoxia. The strength of uterine contractions and the level of pressure in the uterine cavity are directly proportional to the production of prostaglandins, which means that the higher the level of prostaglandins, the more severe the dysmenorrhea3.

Joint pain as a sign of pregnancy

In the first days after conception, a woman may have abdominal pain.
In the first days after ovulation and fertilization of the egg, the symptoms of pregnancy are similar to the beginning of critical days (CD). Pregnant women may complain of pain:

• in a stomach;
• in the lower back.

Such symptoms are not typical for a normal pregnancy. With uterine hypertonicity, similar manifestations can be observed. Joint aches during premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are not an indicator of a possible pregnancy. If, along with such sensations, menstruation is delayed, the taste of food changes, and urination becomes more frequent, then you should consult a gynecologist or take a pregnancy test.

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Leg pain during menstruation

During KD, pain in the lower extremities can be caused by an increased amount of progesterone. An increase in the level of this hormone can soften the walls of blood vessels, which provokes a violation of venous outflow in the legs. If women experience swelling of the legs during menstruation along with a feeling of colic and other unpleasant symptoms, it is forbidden to postpone going to the doctor, this may indicate the development of serious diseases.

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When to see a doctor

Feeling that their lower extremities periodically hurt, women begin to take painkillers and use ointments. Self-medication leads to the progression of the underlying disease, which causes pain.

If your legs hurt periodically, the discomfort increases during menstruation or before it begins, you should consult a gynecologist. If there are no problems with reproductive health, you will need to consult a phlebologist, neurologist, endocrinologist, rheumatologist, traumatologist, and other highly specialized specialists.

What to do?

To prevent unpleasant symptoms, you need to regularly visit a gynecologist.
Joint pain due to PMS can be eliminated by following these recommendations:

• choose comfortable shoes to wear;
• exercise regularly;
• undergo annual checkups with a gynecologist;
• balance nutrition;
• do not overwork the body.

With proper control of ovulation, 4 days before its onset, it is recommended to take special vitamin complexes and sedatives that will alleviate unpleasant symptoms. Among synthetic drugs, antispasmodics can be prescribed. Warm water baths and massages help relieve colic and swelling in the joints. If this situation is caused by pathologies, then you must first cure the underlying diseases, then the pain in the legs will go away on its own. During KD, it is advisable to exclude citrus fruits and drink more herbal tea.

• How to cope with joint pain during menopause?

anonymous, Female, 30 years old Hello! I am 30 years old. Two years ago I gave birth to a son. First birth, first pregnancy. Before pregnancy, periods were heavy, but often painless. Sometimes my stomach and lower back would tighten. From November to August I took three Merci. I canceled my appointment due to being very depressed. Recently, I have increasingly noticed a deterioration in my general condition before my period. This began to manifest itself especially clearly after stopping OK, that is, the last two cycles. Last month, two days before the start of menstruation, the temperature rose to 37.5, body aches, muscle pain. At first I thought about the onset of an infectious disease, but after a couple of days everything returned to normal without consequences. Yesterday I observed something similar in myself. The condition is similar to flu: headache, aching bones, mild pain throughout the body, watery eyes, lack of air, weakness, temperature 36.6 - 36.8, but it seems that it is high. My period started in the evening, I took Nurofen and felt better. This morning the same condition is happening again. And it throws you into a fever, then a chill. Can PMS manifest itself this way or is it just a coincidence? What tests need to be taken? Answered by Anna Grigorievna Sotsuk, obstetrician-gynecologist. Good afternoon. Maybe. But there are other, more pressing problems. Therefore, you should contact a gynecologist for a full examination. Get an ultrasound, get tested for oncocytology, and get your blood tested for STIs. Pay attention to the dynamics of weight. Perhaps this is a reason to contact an endocrinologist. If you send me the results of the examination, I will try to answer your question in more detail.

Almost every woman experiences a painful syndrome before menstruation. The pain is localized in the mammary glands, lower abdomen and even in the joints. At the same time, representatives of the fairer sex note depression, excessive sweating, irritability, and the face becomes covered with acne. All this is called premenstrual syndrome, which worries both young girls and mature women. But it is worth understanding that joint pain, which usually occurs in the lower extremities, has various causes, so if this symptom regularly appears before or during menstruation, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

What is algodismenorrhea

Any woman who has experienced childbirth can say that the uterus is a strong muscle, capable of very intense contractions. What you may not know is that the normal changes that cause you to bleed every month also cause your uterus to contract. These contractions—menstrual cramps—are not as severe as during labor and can be quite mild. But for many women, the discomfort can be serious and then we are talking about such a diagnosis as algodismenorrhea.

Algodismenorrhea in women is a monthly pathological condition that refers to pain during menstruation that occurs as a result of gynecological diseases, abnormal position of the uterus, as well as increased excitability of the central nervous system. Painful periods are very often accompanied by a complex of vegetative symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, cramping, “hellish” pain in the lower abdomen, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bouts of fever and sweating.

Primary algodismenorrhea

Most often it occurs in young women, teenage girls 14-15-16 years old, who have only recently begun their menstrual cycle. These cramps are strong contractions of the uterus caused by substances in the body called prostaglandins. Because their levels in the uterus rise immediately before the onset of menstruation, women usually experience pain on the first day or two or three of its onset. As the lining of the uterus sheds through menstrual bleeding, the level of prostaglandins decreases, and with this, cramping decreases or disappears completely.

Symptoms of primary algodysmenorrhea, associated with gynecological pathology, often become less pronounced when a woman reaches her mid-20s or after the birth of a child.

Secondary algomenorrhea

The gynecologist makes this diagnosis when pain during menstruation and abdominal cramps are the result of existing, previous gynecological diseases (endometriosis, adenomyosis, inflammation of the uterus and appendages, fibrous tumors and ovarian cysts, infections, adhesions in the pelvis, etc.), surgical abortions and surgeries on the genitals, use of an intrauterine device.

Unlike primary dysmenorrhea, secondary dysmenorrhea may begin later in life, and menstrual pain may get worse rather than better as a woman gets older. Moreover, while the pain of primary dysmenorrhea lasts only a day or two, the pain of secondary dysmenorrhea can become more severe as the period progresses and even persist after the bleeding has stopped.

Why does joint pain occur?

In teenagers

The period when a person moves from childhood to adulthood is called adolescence. The body of a teenager undergoes enormous changes, for example, in girls, the mammary glands swell, hair growth accelerates in different parts of the body, rashes appear, and monthly uterine bleeding begins. Frequently, critical days are accompanied by pain in the legs, and there are several reasons for this:

Emotional overexcitation negatively affects the condition of the entire body.

• Excessive activity of the nervous system. As a result, girls become whiny, easily give in to offense and, trying to show their maturity, often become disobedient and difficult to control. As a result, a system consisting of nerve cells transmits its tension to the internal organs and systems of the human body. Then teenage girls may complain that their joints hurt, their legs become swollen and feel heavy.
• Painful discomfort of aching nature. Most of the fairer sex complains of pain in the uterine area. Often the pain intensifies and moves to the back, lumbar spine, creating a load on the feet.
• Active skeletal growth. In adolescents, there is a rapid growth spurt in the growth of the bone support of the body, but at the same time the network of blood vessels does not develop so sharply and therefore the limbs are not sufficiently supplied with blood. In addition, the receptors are irritated, causing numbness and aching pain.

Pain in the joints during the onset of menstruation in adolescence can go away on its own and usually this happens immediately after hormonal levels are restored.

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In adults

Girls with an established, constant cycle can also feel discomfort in the joints.
Knee pain, twisting and aching legs before menstruation can occur not only in teenagers, but also in older girls. There are several reasons why women have to deal with joint pain:

• Premenstrual syndrome. There is a jump in hormones and, as a result, disrupts the outflow of fluid in the body. Excess water accumulates and manifests itself in the form of edema, as a result of which an unusually large load is placed on the lower limbs and they begin to ache.
• Diseases of the spinal column. Some pathologies of the spine are localized in the lower part and therefore patients note painful discomfort in the legs.
• Operations. Women who have given birth or undergo an abortion or caesarean section often experience joint pain during menstruation. Medical staff explain this relationship by the fact that during surgery or childbirth, irritation of receptors in the pelvic area occurs, and this entails changes in blood circulation. Therefore, blood fluid may not reach the extremities, and they begin to become numb, swollen, or painful.
• Gynecological pathologies. Advanced diseases of the female genital area are accompanied by severe pain discomfort, which can often radiate to the lower extremities.

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During menopause

A decline in hormone production leads to swelling and pain in the legs.
Women who are in menopause often complain of pain in bone joints before menstruation. During menopause, hormonal levels change and many vital functions decrease. Hormonal imbalance also affects the condition of the knees, feet, and legs and manifests itself in the form of heaviness, swelling and painful discomfort. It is worth noting that joint pain before “red” days is usually systematic and can precede severe pathologies. That is why doctors strongly recommend that you contact a medical facility at the first appearance of joint pain.

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Relative progesterone deficiency

The production of prostaglandins is a hormone-dependent process that increases under the influence of estrogens and decreases with the participation of progesterone3. During puberty (adolescents), there is a relative deficiency of progesterone, which leads to pain during menstruation 3.7.

Also, the appearance of dysmenorrhea, and, accordingly, pain in the back and abdomen during menstruation, can be influenced by external factors: smoking4, obesity or underweight, emotional background1, repeated stress, exposure to extreme temperatures, infectious diseases, injuries, excessive physical activity4. Of no small importance is the negative opinion about menstruation expressed by loved ones: a girl who knows in advance about the menstrual pain of the adult woman living with her is more likely to suffer from dysmenorrhea in the future4.

What to do?

It is necessary to begin any therapeutic measures only after consulting a doctor and undergoing a diagnostic examination.

If joint pain during PMS is not preceded by serious illnesses, then it will be enough to take measures to relieve pain discomfort. And contrast baths with the addition of herbal decoctions, massages of the lower extremities and sports, with the help of which the leg muscles are strengthened, will help with this. Plus, you need to give up uncomfortable tight shoes and change high-heeled shoes to low-heeled ones. Antispasmodics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can relieve severe pain. Effective drugs are Papaverine, Spazmalgon, Ketanov, Ibuprofen and No-shpa. Stronger painkillers should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor, as they have a considerable list of side symptoms and can negatively affect the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms of diseasesPain and its causesDisorders and their causes

Preventive measures

You can prevent the appearance of painful sensations during menstruation if you monitor your diet and physical activity. Leg pain often begins in overweight patients. This is due to increased stress on the joints and a tendency to varicose veins.

Preventive measures also include:

• wearing comfortable shoes;
• contrasting foot baths;
• regular self-massage.

What matters is nutrition in phase 2 of the cycle. If you are prone to pain, you will have to give up alcohol, foods that cause swelling, and reduce the amount of coffee.

Pain and its causes in alphabetical order:

ABVGDEZHZIKLMNOPRSTUFHTSCHSHSHSHYYA Symptom Map is intended for educational purposes only. Do not self-medicate; For all questions regarding the definition of the disease and methods of its treatment, consult your doctor. EUROLAB is not responsible for the consequences caused by the use of information posted on the portal.

If you are interested in any other symptoms of diseases and types of pain, or you have any other questions or suggestions, write to us, we will definitely try to help you. Bibliography:

• https://nogostop.ru/koleno/pri-mesyachnyx-bolyat-koleni.html
• https://osteokeen.ru/zabolevania/pochemu-pered-mesyachnymi-bolyat-sustavy.html
• https://health.mail.ru/consultation/2041090/
• https://etosustav.ru/diskomfort/vazhno/bol-v-sustavah-pered-mesyachnymi.html
• https://www.eurolab.ua/symptoms/pain/322