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?

Migraines. Defo related to my period even though the doc says it's nothing to do with it.

Also, javelin arse yes! (makes me laugh that saying, even though the thing itself doesn't make me laugh!!!)

Hideous cramps (obvs!)

Sore chuff bits (and the 'periody' smell!)

The way the blood has phases of gushing out (past tampon AND sanitary towel!) I have had to run to the loo in public many times, to 'clean up' and had a massive heavy uncontrollable flow on a 10 hour coach trip once. Vile.

The mahoosive blood clots the size of a cow are fucking putrid. What is THAT about? I mean, just why.....

And yep, sometimes the period poops.

Greasy hair and zitty face.

Oh and when you have a poo, the clots being forced out of your foof!

Grizzly mood and feeling low and tearful for 3- 4 days of the month.

Having a trip or holiday or special event blighted and marred if the monthly curse pops up during it!

Ewwwww, who would be a woman eh?

I have had periods for over 30 years now, and I have never ever ever got used to it. Most things in life you get used to over time, but periods? Never ever ever. You NEVER get used to them. They are actually vile. There is nothing good about them. NOTHING.

God is obviously a man. A female GOD would never have cursed women with this living hell.

I love this thread. Thanks OP!

Weird sensation that my fanny is ‘gaping’ and sometimes a 5 day headache after my period ( may be low iron/anaemia).
The saddest thing is I gave up speaking to Dr’s about other difficulties as I was so despondent with their dismissals and disinterest.
DH and I never had kids and it’s too late now, however, I truly believe if I had been listened to earlier the ovarian cysts, suspected endo, polyps and fibroids confirmed later could have been dealt with sooner...and the outcome and options may have been better

@FlibbertyGiblets I thought I was the only person to get period poo!

What on Earth is a period poo???

Yeah, lljk, imagine you’ve sat on a javelin and it’s gone right up. Shooting pains. I find it eases if I have a poo, but sometimes so bad I can barely stand up straight.

Also yes to really tender and achey vulva. And stinky farts a week beforehand.

I also get ravenously hungry in the couple of days before, a kind of gnawing emptiness like I’ll never feel full again.

*What on Earth is a period poo??

Neverending diarroea. Normally on day of my period.

This post was meant to be supportive and informative but it’s actually making me quite sad that so many have put up with such awful symptoms and have been so dismissed. It was the same for me - I was only diagnosed when I was because I ended up in an ambulance due to fainting or fitting from pain 23 times in three years. All my notes prior to diagnosis say things like “USS clear - Pain psychosomatic”. It makes me furious.

Endometriosis should improve with menopause but if you have adhesions internally you can still suffer. Plus I know women who’ve had full hysterectomies and oopherectomies and their endo is triggered again by HRT.

Bowel problems can be prostaglandins but they can also be from endo on / in the bowel (especially if you have blood in your poo) or adhesions. I was told for years I had IBS, I had cramps and diarrhoea every time I ate for a decade then they discovered that my bowel was mangled and glued together with adhesions.

Also, endometriosis can grow anywhere in the body including the nose and can cause nosebleeds during periods. Don’t want to internet diagnose people but endo is very common and worth investigating.

Also, reading other people’s posts, I do sometimes have phases of feeling like I’ve forgotten how to talk and like my tongue feeling too big for my head, and stammer a bit. Will have to keep an eye and work out if there’s a pattern to it!

Another weird one - it feels like someone has shoved a pump into my uterus and pumped it up, my whole abdomen feels like it’s been stretched out from the inside.

Explosive diarrhea that feels like it’s coming straight out of my chest lol.

Farts that don’t stop.

Abscesses from needing to wear pads for 7 days

The fact your body manages to get it time to come on every birthday Christmas wedding an holiday I mean COME ON!

Constipation followed 24h later by a major poo
Achy legs
Bloated tummy (2-3 days before)
Insomnia

Yes to period poo, usually preceded by a couple of days of constipation just to build up a head of steam.

Also, I'm unlucky enough to get cold sores inside my nose, and these are usually triggered by my period.

Thank you, Tammy. I’m worried to try HRT for that reason. And if endo can only be diagnosed by a laparoscopy, I can’t imagine getting referred for that now.
What an appalling time you have had

During - I feel I can feel the blood glugging out me, rather like when you empty a bottle upside down over the sink

Before Yes to horrible migraine, a complete brain break down. I'm rather glad to see the bleeding when it comes.

Migraines. When I was a teenager, I was convinced I had a brain tumour. It hurt so much, I couldn't see properly. Took me until I had ds to realise that they stopped when I was pregnant and resumed when my period did.

The fact your body manages to get it time to come on every birthday Christmas

This!

Painful legs, I have been in A and E with the pain as suspected blood clot.
PMT. I have a go at my husband over every little thing and make mountains out of molehills. Rest of the time I'm laid back.
Aching fanny. Feel like it's been punched.
Raging sex drive. Used to still have sex during the period but recently after being sterilized I'm too heavy.

That lovely sensation of sneezing on day 1 or 2 of your period and feeling like you've given birth to a jellyfish...

Hemi plegic migraines....

Nausea...

Poo issues...

Cramps that feel like labour...

Clots the size of satsumas...

Exhaustion...

Rage...

Excessive sweating...

Spots...

Feeling like I have crushed glass in my breasts...

I'm now Peri menopausal and am on my 3rd period in a month

Happy times

Period poo. Who knew that was a thing? Thought it was just me! I have an fierce need for alcohol the day before weirdly. Yes to javelin arse too lol.

I also find I am exhausted beyond belief around the time of my period, and very tearful to the point I have to look away during normal conversation to try to hide the fact that I am welling up. Sigh,

My cervix literally feels like it's falling out of me. It's the most awful and painful thing. Nobody else I've ever mentioned it to has ever experienced it!

Night sweats, thundering headaches that just Do. Not. Stop.

Achey everything, horrible bloating and period poo.

Spots all over the place. Weird tender skin that feels sort of prickly. Excessively greasy hair and skin.

Shin splints and excessive fatigue.

I'm on depo now and it's literally life changing. Should have done it years ago

Just remembered the cravings. It used to be chocolate I craved. Now it's anything vaguely tasty.

Good lord, the whole carry on is an utter shit show!!

Does anyone else smell things (that sometimes aren't even there)?

No but everything smells more - and my own body odour few days before and first few days is different.

Sounds are more irriataing but that's probably the PMT.

mrsreynolds, that is awful. Literally ‘Clots the size of satsumas...’?? I’m beginning to feel lucky.