After spending the first half of the week freaked out because I thought I might be pregnant, I finally got my visit from good ol' Aunt Flo. So...I have a strange question for you ladies that I always forget to ask my OB-GYN at my annual checkup. Ever since I first started my period back in 7th grade I get a dull, achey, but very uncomfortable pain in my vulva (ick--hate that word!). If I have to stand on my feet for any amount of time it gets really quite painful and the pain starts traveling down the back of both legs and stops at my knees. It only occurs the first day or two of my period when the flow is so heavy. I also had the same type of pain for a couple of weeks after giving birth. Counter pressure helps a little (like sitting on a hard surface), but I can't exactly do that all day. If I had a job where I had to be on my feet all day I would be in agony. It's kind of like I feel really engorged or bloated *down there*. Does this happen to anyone else?

By Tink on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 05:37 pm:

Pam, I feel this way the day before my period starts. I hate it but always figured it was just extra blood flow to that area. I've never thought to ask the Gyn this either so it certainly isn't an official explanation. Let me know if you find out what it is.

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 10:23 pm:

Yes, I experience something similar but not quite to that extent. Usually only the first day or two when flow is the heaviest. My legs ache! It's uncomfortable, that's for sure. I also always figured it was due to extra blood flow and action going on in the uterus.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 10:38 pm:

HMMM, BTDT too. Never asked my OB about it either. I always assumed like everyone else it was just all the stimulation from the start of the blood flow. Anyway, you aren't alone for sure.

By Bea on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 12:21 am:

I had that pressure almost every period. It felt as if everything would fall out if I didn't get off my feet. I had fibroids. The doctor told me it was spasms, and gave me a prescription for strong Motrin. It helped a lot.

By Pamt on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 12:37 am:

Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone. Bea, at my last check-up my doctor found a small fibroid in my uterus. Since going off of bc pills a few months ago I have noticed my periods are heavier and I am passing clots, which I know can happen with fibroids. That's why my sister ended up getting a hysterectomy a couple of years ago, but I'm certainly not there yet. I think I'll call my doc and get a refill of Ponstel for now and then make sure we talk about all of this stuff at my appt in August. Sometimes being a woman stinks!

By Trina~moderator on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 06:51 am:

I have fibroids as well. They found them during my first c-section. My OB/GYN said it's best to leave them alone, UNLESS they start causing problems. So far so good.

By Trisa on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 08:30 am:

I get this to and it it hurts.
Sometimes I can't even stand long enough
to do the dishes.

By Happynerdmom on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 11:55 am:

This happens to me, also, and only on my heaviest day or days. I, too, get the aches in my legs on the heaviest days. I asked my doc about it once, and he gave me some sort of explanation, but right now I forget what it was! LOL At the time, I really just wanted to know that it was normal, and he assured me it was.