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?

About a week before I get really, really smelly farts, followed by period poo, clumsiness and javelin arse, then I come on.

Migraine every day in the week leading up to it. Insomnia a few days before then sheer exhaustion once it starts. Vivid dreams. Really bad anxiety. Cramps. Upset stomach. Spots and greasy hair.
Terrible mood, tearful, suicidal and raging horn usually in quick succession!
I look around at all other women seeking to cope and hold down jobs and sometimes it feels like you're the only one!

I thought the sore legs was just me so I'm pleased I'm not alone.

Can't sleep the nght before, often have a scratchy throat the first couple of days and sound like I've been on the Gauloise.

I get constipated, is this javelin arse?

Completely irregular periods that cant be teacked e.g. 5 months no period, then 2 in a row. Cant predict them so when they come on - whilst, say, on a business trip - the pain is so bad you start vomiting, then lose consciousness - repeat cycle. I wish this was a one off experience, but no, I've had hotels around the world call ambulances (policy if you lose consciousness apparently) and all male colleagues thinking oh you are hung over because 'my wife/girlfriend/sister/mother doesnt have periods like this so it CAN'T be your period'

Endo and adeno sufferer here. Mirena coil (and two ablation surgeries) sorted it out completely for me thank god. Had to wait years for diagnosis and then treatment though cos GP's never believed me because they 'didnt see it happening' ... um, no, thats cos i'm usually passed out at the time. From 13 to 26 i experienced this.....

Get a lot of these symptoms! And def want to kill couple of days before...also my temperature rises and I get so hot at night a few days leading up to starting my period...then it calms down once I have started... but am raging in all senses of the word for about 72hrs prior!

Oh yes - peeing a lot more!

Greasy looking skin and clingy hair that sticks to your face.

Oh my god! The parking?!? It all makes sense!!!

But yes period poo or constipation (during ovulation).
Weirdly, I haven't had javelin arse since my final pregnancy, small mercies.

I also have endometriosis. It's a horrible disease and I really do feel sorry for all of the ladies that suffer with this! I don't just get symptoms when on my period, I get them everyday but they do get alot worse with my monthly! A few to mention are:
-The feeling that your womb is going to fall out of you

• the belt of pain around your hips, into your back and down your legs
• the nausea
• pain when going for a poo
• unable to get comfortable
• having to change your pads ridiculously often

Etc.

I had excision surgery for extensive endo on the first of this month and ended up losing my right ovary and tube and my left uterosacral ligament. I really do feel for you! It's not just the physical effects this has on us it's also the emotional side of things.

Sending huge hugs!xx

Sucidal thoughts about 4/5 days before periods starts then fine again. Took me more 20y to make the link some mo the are worse than others. Now in anti dep 7 days bfore due and feel human again!

Also I look physically different 2-3 days before due. Couldn’t tell you what is different but I look different to me!

When I was about 45 my sense of smell went dolally around period time. It took a few months to figure out why I thought something was rotten in the fridge. No one else smelled it and I still threw everything out because the smell was rancid to me.

Clumsiness, forgetting what things are called, stammer, zero tolerance for alcohol (it turns me into a screaming illogical banshee over nothing much) period poo, javelin arse.

Severe PMT symptoms the day it finishes. Hot flushes mid cycle. It's great being female.

Pain across my entire pelvis, crotch, back and down my thighs

Swollen sensation of the vulva and feeling like my vagina and vulva are falling off

Skin sensitisation e.g. clothes rubbing against my legs making them feel twitchy

Claustrophobia

Inexplicable level of clumsiness and idiocy

Sensitivity and itchy rash under clit hood

And of course, javelin arse and awful poo!

Awful diarrhoea, very sore and tender bits and ridiculous levels of clumsiness!

Reading old MN threads have left me no wiser.
Exactly what is "javelin arse"? Acute pain like javelin was shoved up there, or something else?

Oh, and i get nose bleeds too

Oh and my sense of smell goes into overdrive then I get nauseous because of a smell and sometimes vomit.

I have endometriosis too. I have awful bloating, diarrhoea, sciatica, clots, abdo cramps, ovary pain, migraines and sheer utter exhaustion. I can deal with all of it on the who but the exhaustion is getting me down. It's like wading through treacle for the first two days. I feel like I can't complain as it's a period and most women have them and my husband thinks I'm putting it on.
Good thread OP it's great to get the conversation started.

Extreme fatigue, aching legs, bloated abdomen (I look pregnant), hot (to touch not to look at!) boobs, the rage in a totally disproportionate manner and diarrhoea 😞 All the fun stuff.

Hideous headache and vomiting. Vomiting means that the headache usually goes.

Really sore vagina the day before.

Nose bleeds.

My mother used to get javelin arse so badly that she used to faint.

Digestive system goes haywire. Eye watering trumping and can't even say it's the dog - not got one. DP rolls his eyes and says 'Rover!'

Clumsy, burning food, awful headaches. Can trigger Chronic fatigue mini flare ups. Nightmares/vivid dreams, get into arguments by accident.

Throws everything off kilter!!

I wanted to ask What is Javelin Arse please? too

Going from these comments it's a feeling of having sat on a javelin (the pointy end). Ouch.

A GP once told me that it was not possible that diarrhoea could be associated with my periods. Thank you for making me feel more normal!

Water retention. I used to gain and lose 1/2 a stone each month. It used to get my ears and make me lose my sense of balance. A lovely ENT consultant finally put the pieces together and gave me diuretics.

Also had nose bleeds.

Period poo is the worst part for me. Everything else I can cope with but period poo plus a day in the office is the worst.