Period symptoms no one talks about

[TammySwansonTwo]

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?

Not do much a javelin but more like pineapple arse.
Crippling cramps. Doubling over breathing through contraction type cramps.
Clots that overflow the mooncup. They really bloody hurt coming out.
Having to carry a change of clothes around, like a toddler.
Hip pain
Hot flushes and night sweats
Diarrhoea
Fuzzy head, forgetful, anxious
Not being able to wear anything except black for 2 out of every 3 weeks just in case of overflow.

Then just when you think it’s all settled the mid cycle ovary pain kicks in for a couple more days. With associated bowel pain. But this is more constipation than the runs.

And a full goaty beard.

Period poo is horrific
Sweats

I know my period will be in 2 days time when my sense of smell becomes incredibly sensitive.

Excellent posts, Graphista.

Graphista seems to me the problem is that so many women wouldn’t respond to those threads because they haven’t been diagnosed. Some of the things here that women tolerate without diagnosis are shocking.

My fear here is that this thread now makes it seem like many things are “normal” where actually they’re common but that’s not the same thing! As I said previously, if your periods are debilitating the likelihood is that something is wrong and I would definitely get it checked out.

I always knew mine was due when my vaccination sites started throbbing in my arm and also the site where i had shingles.

Dishydrotic eczema flair ups

Boobs doubled in size and were so sore

Javelin arse and period poo

Sciatica flare ups

Also for a while endometrial cysts

I love the menopause in comparison

I am thankfully past the menopause, and it went just fine, periods started to be just a bit of blood and every 3 months then stopped.

But as a teenager I have had clots, projectile vomiting, javelin arse, sore fanjo from being wet for a week+.

Diarrhea, particularly day one, cramps that made me feel my insides were being wrung out. Putting on half a stone the week before.

Also painful breasts and more randy the week before.

I also used to 'nest' when I was due on, I shared a flat with 2 men in my 20s, they found it highly amusing that one week in four the flat was spotless.

I also once accused a male friend of, being a man, repeatedly and viciously" it seemed sensible at the time.

This should be printed out and sent to all teachers.

Feeling like your uterus is being twisted, squeezed and then gone 12 rounds with Rocky!

The bloating, has

Posted too soon

The bloating makes me feel like a novelty hot air balloon, and the pain in the lower back. Then throughout everything DH then asks "you ok?"

Is "javelin arse" wind up your back passage? If so, I get that too. Not fun when you are driving. Fortunately it does not happen that often.

Not wind, thunder. Or a pile of javelins caught in a twister.

I get nausea beforehand and dizzy spells during my period.
And I get really clumsy.

To be serious, I think it's actually contractions or cramps in your womb area. We just feel them in our bottom.

Another random one. My cervix drops so low that my coil razor wires strings irritate (understatement) my vaginal entrance.

Ouch!

The day before my period I have an overwhelming urge to deep clean, organise and generally work my socks off. And then when it arrives, the opposite. For me, it's quite a spiritual time when I feel in touch with being a woman.

I wonder about those societies where women withdraw from everyday communal life during their periods. Men might banish them for being 'unclean' , but is the reality that it's a time to rest and emerge refreshed and renewed.

Is "javelin arse" wind up your back passage

No its literally like someone has stabbed you up your arse. I always got it when i was doing a poo.

Proctalgia fugax aka javelin arse

Actually the reality is that they’re treated like lepers and forced to sleep in a cow shed with no washing facilities and no sanpro. Definitely not a spiritual experience.

Reading this thread is like a tick sheet. It amazes me what women put up with or ate fobbed off with.

My periods in my teens were horrendous, fainting with pain, settled a bit in 20's but with nosebleeds, migraines, clumsiness etc then from 35+ have ramped it massively. The pure rage followed by tears over nothing, bowels are fucked up, 3 day head cold, allergies/reactions increase memory/concentration goes, can't park the bloody car, the constant eating, shaky legs, thighs hurt like i've ran 10km, bloating etc etc.

Being pregnant was such a relief. I actually felt human again for a while. So calm and stable.

Now they are back with and feel worse.

I remember when having a driving lesson when I was 18 and after stalling the car about 4 times in 10 mins my instructor asked of I was due on. I was. She told me to make sure when I booked my test to make sure the date didn't coincide with my cycle!

Exams are the same.

tammyswanson - that's not what I said.

Not sure many Orthodox Jewish women would agree with you about being forced to sleep in a cow shed

I was talking about my own personal experience which led me to generally wonder about other cultures/ societies.

I completely lose spatial awareness in the couple of days before I start my period. For example, parking in a car park space (normally a doddle) takes 5-6 goes. Banging arm on door frame as I walk through it, banging head on assorted shelves ... took me years to cotton on that it was connected to my cycle.

I also had really heavy periods but was properly checked out and theres nothing sinister - I just have heavy periods. Fortunately since I finally had the coil fitted last year (didn't need contraception before as now ExH had the snip) they have virtually stopped but this could also be peri menopause! Whatever it is, I'm very happy!!

Perhaps not, but try the women of Nepal
www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/apr/01/nepal-bleeding-shame-menstruating-women-banished-cattle-sheds

Parts of India too. The way women around the world are treated during menstruation is shocking. Thank god I don’t have to try and survive such ridiculous rules with the problems I have.

So many of you really suffer it’s awful and can’t help thinking if men went through this there would have been far more research in how to elevate symptoms

My symptoms are more inconvenient though when I ovulate at times it’s very painful and I feel dizzy

And the strange phenomenon of women who spend a lot of time together their cycles often sync.

It’s incredible what our bodies go through and how our hormones have such an impact on our everyday lives

What a great thread OP

Runny poo
Unstoppable cravings for sugar and bread of any kind
Bloating (could be connected!)
Weepiness
Hate anyone coming near me on the street

And worst of all, just recently (nearing menopause), awful awful tension headaches just before and around onset of period.

I get my words mixed up - for example will say the wrong word for something but within the same area; e.g oven instead of radiator (both have a heat connection). It's like my brain just scrambles. Only ever get it when i'm on - i'm fairly articulate the rest of the time, honest.
Would love to know if anyone else gets this??