Really painful hip pain during period!!

[Olivia1039]

Hello, I'm 15 and I suffer from heavy periods and I don't really want to go to the doctor(mostly because attempting to make an appointment is like an army mission and my parents don't understand how much pain I'm in) but if I really have to, I will. I was wondering if anyone here could help me to figure out if there's a big issue or what it could be. Is this pain normal? My period will start any day soon and I'm in extreme pain. I can't even describe the pain but right now it's in my left hip and leg but I also get it on the other side too. It's excruciating. Has anyone else experienced the same or perhaps when they were younger? Writing this on here really does show my desperation. I get this during every period. I don't think it happened when I first had my period but it happens all the time now and I can't cope any longer. Any ideas, thoughts and advice would be super helpful thank you!

I'm sorry you're suffering. I get bad period pain, and remember it being absolutely awful when I was your age. What you're experiencing may very well be "normal" but i would definitely advise you to speak to your gp if this is something you experience every period. You should not have to live with that level of pain, and they should be able to give you some medication that will help, and investigate further if they think it does sound worrying. Does taking painkillers help at all?

Poor you!

Hormones can cause inflammatory response, and that can aggravate joints, especially hips.

Have you tried taking some NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen? If not, try that next. Make sure you take them with food to protect your stomach as they can cause indigestion. Take them regularly through the day in the recommended dosage.

Forgot to say, yes, I always get painful hips joints around my period, some months really awful.

Ugh, so horrible. I used to get the same when I was your age - pain so bad it would radiate down my legs, I'd fairly often pass out.

It's 'normal' in that other people get it but it's not normal.

Try some ibuprofen and paracetamol together, or some Feminax which I think has codeine in it. There is something else you can get on prescription I think.

Thank you ActualHornist! I'd been thinking about painkillers but I wasn't quite sure what was best. The pain also goes down my legs too and it's awful. X

Thanks Misskatamari! I think I'll definitely try taking painkillers now! I'll probably try painkillers, see how it goes, but if the pain is still bad and I'm still concerned, I'll arrange to see my GP. x

My daughter has always really suffered, she's a bit older than you now. She gets by with Feminax and Buscopan (recommended by nurse). However, you're 15, you need to see somebody about this. Can you talk to your mum or is there somebody at school you can speak to? I used to get really awful pain in my legs, that's eased now I'm a menopausal old hag but I do release a lot of eggs at once on occasion and that causes horrendous radiating pain across stomach, thigh and hip. However, its all very well us telling you what "might" work, but professional help is your best bet. You might find it easier and faster to get an appointment with the practice nurse to start with, she can send you onto the GP if necessary. I hope you get sorted OP! Good luck!

Thank you so much Retrofitted! I'll defitnely try that. x

I should also say, by all means use painkillers as suggested by all, but please be careful with dosage...and read the pack. They can do a lot of damage if misused which is easy to do! My daughter also finds heat really comforting so a hot water bottle is really helpful if you have one.

I get this and I have sacro-iliac joint inflammation which causes lower back and hip pain which goes down the leg.

Thank you TheFormidableMrsC! I think I've been pretty terrified of talking to a GP, but I like the sound of talking to a practice nurse first, especially if it's quicker. I've spoken to my mum a little but I'm not sure she really understands how much pain I'm in. I'm sure she'd take me to the doctor if I proposed the idea. Thank you for your advice!x

TheFormidableMrsC I do have a hot water bottle but it usually works better for my awful cramps rather than my hip pain. Maybe if I could cover my whole lower body in hot water bottles it would feel much better lol. My biggest worry with painkillers is dosage; I'm absolutely terrified of getting dosages wrong. Hopefully talking to a nurse or my GP will help with that!x

I used to get such painful legs when I got my period! Particularly my thighs. I'd forgotten, because I haven't had that pain since I had kids in my 30s, I still get premenstrual cramps but different and not so bad.

It's not just you, but you also shouldn't have to suffer so much pain every month. If I'd known I could (or had a more sympathetic GP back in the 90s!) I'd have sought advice and better pain control. Ask the nurse which GP at your surgery is most knowledgeable and sympathetic about gynaecological stuff.

Heavy periods can be made a bit lighter by taking prescribed tranexamic acid (might not be the correct spelling...) and also ibuprofen. I was reading this recently:
www.cemcor.ubc.ca/resources/very-heavy-menstrual-flow

I'd just like to point out feminax is just paracetamol but very expensive, if you want to take paracetamol get a standard one that doesnt cost a fortune, but as others have said ibuprofen is good as it is also anti inflammatory.

I have similar pains during my periods and they are awful, I have just been to see the GP recently about it and they are looking to test for endometriosis so do see the GP

@MapMyMum thank you. I've taken feminax and paracetamol but it wasn't very effective I'm afraid. I've booked an appointment with my doctor because I've been in awful pain the last few days and it's reduced me to tears far too many times. I cried in almost every lesson because I couldn't cope. Hopefully the doctor will be able to help x

@TheFormidableMrsC I do have a hot water bottle although it's not very effective. Maybe if I could cover my whole lower body in hot water bottles it would feel much better lol. My biggest worry with painkillers is dosage; I'm absolutely terrified of getting dosages wrong. Hopefully talking to a nurse or my GP will help with that, seen as though I have an appointment booked!x

Would you be able to buy an electric blanket? Even if you’re in a double bed, a single blanket would do. I got one for £25 in Tesco. It’s basic, but getting into a really hot bed (switch it on before you’re due to get in) helps my joints. I really don’t miss my periods. You poor girl, I hope the doctor can help.

Best of luck for the appointment, I hope you get taken seriously and find a way to manage the pain effectively

Feminax is actually ibuprofen (not paracetamol as mentioned above). Non branded ibuprofen is cheaper to buy though. Definitely see your practice nurse and they can prescribe something possibly a little stronger for you as appropriate. They can check your weight, allergies and past medical history and recommend what you can take. Hope you feel better.

I used to be in this much pain and found sleeping on my stomach would help. Also anti inflammatories but at the first twinge. If I didn’t take them quick enough they just didn’t kick in. Hopefully your doctor can recommend something as well.

I get this and have just suffered through it. It's always bad on the first day then okay after that. Paracetamol helps a bit but not enough. It's always my right hip and leg too, never the left.

I was told it was due to the expanded uterus pressing on a nerve hence the pain down the leg but not sure how accurate that is.

@Olivia1039 Keep on with the hot water bottles, they will help although I hear what you're saying. I really must repeat that you need to see the nurse. They can prescribe things that will help with this, it's really not something you have to put up with! In the meantime, follow the instructions on over the counter painkillers and you really can't go far wrong. Good luck!

I get bad pain in my hip at ovulation but am fine during my periods but then Ive been on the pill for ever. Ibuprofen sorts the pain in my hip, have always assumed its hormone related but do have friends who have found out hip pain is cyst related. Might be worth a chat with the doc.

Oh darling, I remember being in agony at your age as well. Miserable!

Do see the doctor if you can, you don’t need to suffer. In the meantime, take whatever painkillers you’re going to take at the very first twinge - do not wait until the pain gets worse. I found naproxen pretty effective (you can buy it over the counter) but it was no good if I left it too late. If I took it at the first tiny twinge I found it would prevent the pain from really taking hold but if I wasn’t able to for whatever reason it wasn’t much good at reducing the pain down from a high level, IYSWIM.

But ultimately try to see the GP and don’t be brave about it when you do - make sure they know just how much pain you are in and keep going back if the first thing they try doesn’t work. If your mum will back you up take her along, if you’re comfortable with that. Some GPS are great and others will try and make out that you have to put up with the pain but they are wrong - it isn’t normal and it isn’t something that you just have to cope with.