Is it normal to get a sore, heavy feeling in vagina when on period?

[CustardwithBanana]

I get a lot of pain in my vagina when I’m on my period. I have done for years and it seems to be associated with standing/walking around. I don’t always get it, but it does happen fairly regularly. There will be months where it doesn’t happen, but I’m just unsure if this is normal?

I thought it was linked to me wearing tampons, but I recently realised the pain is still there when I’m not using a tampon. Does anyone else experience this?

Yes also around ovulation. It's more noticeable when I've had to stand a lot.

I get this since having kids and asked my gynae. She said if it's only there during my period it's probably either just uterine contractions radiating downwards or slight pressure on my pelvic floor from fullness. She said she'd only be concerned if there was pain at other times of the month or if I had that sensation of fullness generally after standing, so if it's only during your period it's probably nothing to worry about.

Yes, I have had this. To me it's normal and I've had loads of tests for gynae stuff.

I also get this, no endo here. I’m 43 and started finding tampons really uncomfortable so stopped using them altogether, just pads and period pants now but I do still experience this soreness and heaviness. I’ve never really worried about it, and reassuring to read that others also have it

Forgot to say, mine is also when standing or walking

I heard from a midwife that it was caused by mini contractions as the cervix opened slightly to allow blood out.

It became a thing during peri menopause for me. Was grateful I hadn't had to go through it every month for the previous decades, and also v glad when periods stopped completely.

Yes, it’s part of my period pain and always has been. Unpleasant but also normal

I always did (haven’t had periods due to the pill I’m on for ages). Never diagnosed with endo, but at a smear or something years ago a comment was made that I have cells on the outside that should be on the inside. That, plus what I’ve read about endo and several comments here from women saying they have this same pain and are diagnosed with endo makes me think even more that I might have it. Don’t know if there’s any point trying to get diagnosed at 46 though.

Do you mind if I ask why not @FloofBunny?

Yes, until I got Mirena (now have no periods at all!). Heavy, sore, aching sensation in vagina and throughout genitals. Sometimes uncomfortable to stand as it felt like my insides were falling out (alongside the cramping in my abdomen and lower back). Since I was a teenager, got better for a few years after having kids then got worse again in my 40s.

Because there are a lot of pervs out there who love to read about women discussing their private parts.

I never even considered that! Certainly not in this context. But it’s a valid point, thank you.

@CustardwithBanana it's usually to do with increased blood volume in your uterus.

But if you are, at all, concerned it could be worthwhile speaking to your GP?

I always get this, I don't have particularly heavy periods just the aching pressure feeling very low down. I've always thought completely normal to have period pain that can radiate all the way down, even into your thighs

This is what I was coming on to say too!!

I didn’t even realise it was a symptom for years after diagnosis.

We are so conditioned that heavy painful periods are normal when they’re just normalised but they’re.. not normal
my gynae said anything that needs more than some paracetamol isn’t right

Yes. I have adenomyosis though. Not diagnosed for literally decades. It's a very under diagnosed condition.

I asked MNHQ yesterday to ensure that the OP is genuine, i.e. not someone who's just signed up to get women to discuss their privates. Either they haven't done it or the OP is genuine. Regardless, I'd advise caution about engaging with this thread. I saw one thread a while ago that had a heading something like "Why are so many women showing off their vaginas in public?" The poster clearly just wanted to get off on women discussing their privates. MN deleted it.

I don’t even get cramps, never have really except maybe when I was like 12-15. Very super regular periods (until peri), but very silent.

Everyone - this is the OP's only contribution to Mumsnet. I strongly suspect that this is a perv getting off on reading about women discussing their privates. If it was a NC they'd have said. I have emailed MN twice now to either verify the OP or take it down.

I would not write any more on this thread.

It sounds pelvic floor related. I got similar sensations in my last pregnancy. I would speak to your GP and ask for referral to gynecology. Just because lots of people experience it doesn't mean it's normal or you have to endure it.