Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mumsnet classics

Relive the funniest, most unforgettable threads. For a daily dose of Mumsnet’s best bits, sign up for Mumsnet's daily newsletter.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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:
Longdistance · 05/06/2018 19:42

PMT I could quite easily murder my dh if he does something wrong.

Massive clots that form in the toilet bowl when you’ve been for a wee.

CatNut2017 · 05/06/2018 19:42

I feel very anxious and miserable the day before my period starts.

Original poster
TammySwansonTwo · 05/06/2018 19:41

So glad this is helping people! That’s awesome. I wish period education at school covered what is normal and what needs medical attention. I spent my teens being told “periods hurt, get used to it” but I never thought to tell the doctors about the pain when I pooed or the weird colour or the javelin arse as I just thought it was normal. I honestly believe if we spoke openly about these things, endo diagnosis times could be slashed, amongst other things.

There are so many red flags for endometriosis in these comments, i would really urge you to see a doctor and insist on a referral if your periods are debilitating.

OP posts:
iMatter · 05/06/2018 19:40

The shits

Javelin arse

Sweaty gusset

Can't park my car (normally am a v good parker)

ScrambledSmegs · 05/06/2018 19:40

Migraine a couple of days before. Feeling like I'm about to have a prolapse (I'm not, had that checked). Hideous diarrhoea followed by constipation for a couple of days. And the most incredibly noxious farts.

Luckily mine only last a couple of days now, although day one is so heavy it makes that scene in the Amityville Horror with blood flooding down the stairs look tame.

MrsJayy · 05/06/2018 19:40

I was checked for fibroids in my 30s but all clear.

Submariner · 05/06/2018 19:38

Mouth ulcers! Particularly one big horrible one all down the side of my tongue in the same place every month.

AuntyElle · 05/06/2018 19:38

Repeated vomiting and diarrhoea on day one. Intense pain in waves, going down my right leg. And, oddly, sneezing.

megletthesecond · 05/06/2018 19:37

Leg pain. Horrible tender, aching. why is that?
Upset stomach.

TheBlessedCheesemaker · 05/06/2018 19:37

Craving for sugar in my tea

Original poster
TammySwansonTwo · 05/06/2018 19:36

So glad to see positive responses - was worried people would think I was some kind of period weirdo 😂

Your ovaries sit on top of nerves that serve your legs, so if you get leg pain during periods or ovulation that may be an issue relating to your ovaries (or so my highly qualified specialist told me when I complained of leg pain).

Do any of you have diagnoses? Sounds like lots of you are having symptoms that should be checked out. Gastric issues especially during periods are a strong indicator of endometriosis.

Daisy clots that smell could be old blood, can’t say I’ve noticed them smelling, what do they smell off, just strongly of blood / iron?

Every single period I had until 23 was black and full of clots. I had no idea that wasn’t normal!

OP posts:
IHateToCashew · 05/06/2018 19:36

Fellow endometriosis sufferer!

Ugh, where to begin. Vomiting, difficulty urinating (when I do I let out a little squeak like someone trod on a mouse), physically can't take a crap because my cramps are so bad I can't actually push, hot flushes one minute, chills the next, migraines, hairs start to grow in unnatural places, numbness down to my knees...

And then I had a coil fitted, and expect to get at least six months of all these delights in addition to crippling stomach pain Grin

CluedoAddict · 05/06/2018 19:36

I am normally a reverse parking ninja but it all goes to pot when I am due on.

ThisCannotBe · 05/06/2018 19:36

Christ. I am in my thirties and cannot tell you all how much this thread has helped put my mind at rest on so many issues in the last ten minutes. You're absolutely right OP. Not talked about nearly enough.

MrsJayy · 05/06/2018 19:35

Nothing compared to these examples but on the lead-up I keep changing stations on my car's radio because all the music is crap (which it is but especially on those days).

I flick through the TV moaning about channels of nothing on.

Idontlikelambchop · 05/06/2018 19:34

Nightmares, clots the size of the palm of my hand for 8/9 days, excessive amount of farts and bloating Blush achey vulva, shooting pains down my legs and contraction like period pains, causing vomiting... aren’t periods lovely?!

PuppyMonkey · 05/06/2018 19:34

Fanny farts.

SeamusMacDubh · 05/06/2018 19:33

Glad the night sweats isn't just me @HelloCanYouHearMe

MrStarkIDontFeelSoGood · 05/06/2018 19:33

Itchy pubes

Period Poo

Justmuddlingalong · 05/06/2018 19:33

Grin @ThisCannotBe. It's one of the 1st signs I'm due. It was DP who noticed it a few years ago and it's literally for about 3 days before AF arrives.

SeamusMacDubh · 05/06/2018 19:33

Really, clumsy. To stupid levels.

Period poo.

Aching lower back.

Period spot; always the same, unsqueezable, under the skin sore lump.

Night sweats.

Super hungry.

MrsJayy · 05/06/2018 19:32

1 of my Dds used to faint she went on the pill but she used to just thud to the floor on her first day.

Frogqueen13 · 05/06/2018 19:32

I get a really hot bum and become very thirsty

Tonicwaterandgin · 05/06/2018 19:32

Yes to all of these! "Period poo" as it's known in my house, achy vagina and clumsiness but the worst is the leg pain. Sometimes the pains I get in my thighs are worse than the actual period pain!

oigetoffmycheese · 05/06/2018 19:32

A feeling of weakness. I struggle to do any of my fitness classes. I normally work hard but on period I just can't. Only just made the connection

Swipe left for the next trending thread