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Original poster

Period symptoms no one talks about

464 replies

TammySwansonTwo · 05/06/2018 19:16

Day 1 of my period today which is always horrific (double whammy of endometriosis and adenomyosis) and was just thinking about how many weird symptoms I think of as normal, because no one ever talks about them.

The main ones for me are javelin arse and the feeling that my vulva has run a marathon. Oh, and the fact that I had no idea periods were supposed to be red until after my first surgery - I thought I was bleeding to death.

So much isn’t talked about that many women put up with awful stuff for years, and illnesses like endometriosis take years to diagnose. I think we should talk about it more!

What are other people’s weird period symptoms that they believe(d) are normal / universal?

OP posts:
DesertSky · 05/06/2018 23:13

I usually find I alternate from being totally wiped out/lethargic just before my period to having a crazy frenzy of blitzing the house. So weird!
I also find my face looks washed out just before too - does anyone else get that? It doesn’t matter how much makeup I apply I just look pale/drained!
I too find myself incoherent and often have a brain fog/stammer. I remember once doing a school quiz the day I came on and my brain just melted basically, I was embarrassingly awful!
Also clumsiness and I swear it affects my driving...
Other symptoms include bad dreams or insomnia right before I’m due. Then afterwards I feel so tired I could sleep like a hibernating bear!
Going into my own little world beforehand and being highly irritated at DH just for breathing!
Sometimes I get a migraine the night before.
Having to pee loads. Rumbly stomach. Wind. Needing no.2 more often.
Craving bananas, Diet Coke and chocolate right before but then not hungry once I come on - sometimes I even feel sick.
Every few months I have terrible sore boobs from ovulation to menstruation.

Urgghhh, there’s prob loads more. I can’t believe how tough it is being female sometimes!

LoisWilkersonsLastNerve · 05/06/2018 23:13

Javelin arse is pretty much what it says on the tin....

LoveMySituation · 05/06/2018 23:12

My outer lips ache. Never seen that mentioned anywhere. Anyone else?

happinessischocolate · 05/06/2018 23:12

The sudden horrific cramps whilst shopping so having to pretend I'm looking at something in the bottom shelf.

Periods have stopped now its bliss

LoisWilkersonsLastNerve · 05/06/2018 23:12

Irrational thoughts
Zits
Wind
Wanting to kill everyone
Tiredness
Clumsiness
Crying at feck all
Eating everything but the furniture.

eggncress · 05/06/2018 23:09

What’s ‘javelin Arse “? I don’t think I’ve had it!Grin
Yes to achey legs, headaches day before and forgetfulness/ lack of concentration though

OracleOfDelphinium · 05/06/2018 23:04

Another vote for the delightful Period Poo. FML.

And I'm so glad there's a name for Javelin Arse.

mouse26 · 05/06/2018 23:04

I have pcos so irregular periods, luckily I have extreme thirst the few days before I come on as a warning. Then there's the aches, from my ribs down it feels like my insides have turned to mush and are going to just drop out any second. Of course there's the period poo, javelin arse, night sweats and sheer bloody exhaustion. I'm even more clumsy than usual and can't string a sentence together sometimes

Eggzandbacon · 05/06/2018 23:00

Literally thought I was the only person in the world getting achey legsShock
Sometimes it’s like shocks of pain going down my legs.

Desperate need to clean, then total exhaustion (and not caring if things are clean). Constipation followed by period poo. Insomnia, anxiety and the ability to eat A LOT of chocolate.

Oh and hating everyone and everything...

IrenetheQuaint · 05/06/2018 22:59

Can't believe no one has mentioned the bleeding gums...

TeaandHobnobs · 05/06/2018 22:57

Since having OC / ICP in my last pregnancy, I now get itchy all over a couple of days before my period starts. Not desperately so, just a kind of strong irritation. Annoys me that my body is a slave to hormones in yet another way.

mooncuplanding · 05/06/2018 22:55

Putting in a fresh tampon then instantly needing a shit....what to do?

Pluckedpencil · 05/06/2018 22:55

I feel like this could be a really helpful thread for any girl or woman searching Google about periods for advice. Could we move it to somewhere before it gets lost so it is searchable in the future?

catburgers · 05/06/2018 22:54

Constipation
Aching vulva
Night sweats.
Arse acne. Actual real life acne. I'm in my 30's ffs

Probably the worst though is a massive increase in my chronic pain/fatigue symptoms. It's so faaaaaaaaaaabulous sleeping 20 hours a day thanks to the chronic fatigue and chemical cosh.

Unfortunately any hormonal contraception either gives me hemi migraines or makes me actively suicidal.

Mother nature has fucked up.

HotelRedFace · 05/06/2018 22:54

Constipation for three days before I come on followed by two days of period poo.

And the insomnia. Oh my god the insomnia for three days beforehand had me on my knees with tiredness. I literally did not sleep at all and in the end my doctor agreed that I should use Nytol for three nights every month just to keep me sane.

I am now three years post-hysterectomy and I don't miss the monthly misery one bit.

Hogtini · 05/06/2018 22:50

Tender cervix, migraines days before, squits, horn, 1 major spot usually on chin

IndieTara · 05/06/2018 22:49

I used to faint which was hugely embarrassing and the terrible diarrhoea

Whisky2014 · 05/06/2018 22:48

I have an inexplicable urge to watch crap telly like BGT and then cry at it.

This really made me laugh. It's so true. I actively look up things I know will make me cry. And then I do...epically!

Original poster
TammySwansonTwo · 05/06/2018 22:45

In my years of heaviest bleeding, I used to wear a night time pad inside Tena lady pants and sleep on a folded beach towel and there were times I still ruined the mattress. Don’t think I’ve ever had a mattress that hasn’t had blood stains on it.

OP posts:
Original poster
TammySwansonTwo · 05/06/2018 22:44

For a couple of days before, I get constipated and the pain on pooing is unbelievable - I've been doubled-over on the floor of the bathroom, light headed and seeing stars!

This really stood out to me as I once ended up coming round on the floor of a work bathroom cubicle with my pants round my ankles and a couple of paramedics standing over me. Thank god the colleague who found me was discreet as she saw a lot more than I’d want anyone to see!

This sort of pain is really not normal, my lovely. This shouldn’t be brushed aside. You shouldn’t have to live like this and it’s not supposed to be like that. Over the years I’ve had very few cycles that weren’t medicated, usually after one of my six surgeries, and it was miraculous how different they were to what I have before surgery. Short, lighter, minimal pain... sadly it’s never lasted. I’ve been on morphine every day for over 10 years now and I don’t see it changing any time soon.

It’s actually giving me the rage - would men put up with this? Would doctors expect them to? I don’t fucking think so. The things we tolerate - not just from periods but from contraception, pregnancy, menopause, HRT - are beyond what anyone should have to endure. And yet there’s minimal research, minimal funding, no understanding from schools or employers or doctors. It’s hideous.

OP posts:
LanaorAna2 · 05/06/2018 22:41

Oh yes, the heat. Hot, hot, hot.
Vast mystery bruises
Bad back from constantly bending to pick up what you've dropped
Hate being knocked or pushed in shops and queues
Murderous thoughts about (probably harmless) strangers
Incontinence pads brimming with black blood that make you retch
Three washes a day in the machine to clean sheets, towels, clothes of blood floods

I use Hibiscrub to clean up flooding and help stop getting abscesses from the pads.

BigStripeyBastard · 05/06/2018 22:41

Urgh, Period Poo, yes! And Javelin Fanny.
Also the day before, I have an inexplicable urge to watch crap telly like BGT and then cry at it.

wirrinboffin · 05/06/2018 22:40

I get drunk really easily on the first couple days of my period - very, very easily - 2 drinks of anything and I am steaming drunk. Happens at no other time of the month - was a chat with a very close female friend that made me realise!

LucilleBluth · 05/06/2018 22:39

Yes , yes to mild suicidal thoughts (if that's a thing). I definitely know it's coming when I feel like that.

Insomnia

Dizziness

Period shits.

Aching thighs and legs.

Sore breasts. It's all so much fun isn't it.

AppleFox · 05/06/2018 22:36

Anaemia. Feeling drained, depressed and like I'm going to faint.