Leg Aches During Period and Fibroids: What to Know

September 13, 2025

Leg Aches During Period and Fibroids: What to Know

If your legs ache around your period, you’re not alone—and if you also have uterine fibroids, the two can be related. While menstrual cramps typically center in the pelvis, some people feel pain that radiates to the hips, thighs, or calves. This article explains how fibroids can contribute to leg discomfort, what else might be going on, and how to find relief. It also highlights when to see a clinician and which treatments are supported by trusted medical organizations.

Why do legs ache during a period?

Menstrual pain is primarily driven by prostaglandins—hormone-like chemicals that make the uterus contract to shed its lining. These contractions can cause cramping that sometimes radiates to nearby areas, including the lower back, hips, and legs. Nerve pathways that serve the pelvis also serve parts of the legs, so the brain may interpret pelvic pain as leg pain (referred pain).

Beyond cramps, other contributors can make leg aches more noticeable during a period:

Inflammation and fluid shifts that sensitize nerves and muscles
Muscle tension from guarding against pelvic pain
Iron-deficiency anemia from heavy bleeding, which can cause fatigue, weakness, and generalized achiness

How fibroids can contribute to leg pain

Uterine fibroids are common, noncancerous tumors that grow in or on the uterus. Many cause no symptoms, but when they do, heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pressure are typical. Depending on their size and location, fibroids can make leg pain more likely around a period in several ways:

Heavier, longer periods can increase prostaglandin activity and cramps, which may radiate to the legs.
Large or outward-facing (subserosal) fibroids can press on nearby structures. In some cases, pressure near the lower spine or pelvic sidewall can irritate nerves that travel to the hips and legs, contributing to aching or sciatic-like discomfort.
Pelvic congestion and pressure can alter posture or gait during painful days, leading to secondary leg muscle soreness.

Symptoms that make fibroid-related leg pain more likely include significant pelvic pressure, frequent urination, constipation, a visibly enlarged abdomen, or very heavy periods—especially if imaging has shown fibroids.

When it might be something else

Fibroids are just one possible reason for leg aches during menstruation. Other causes include:

Dysmenorrhea (primary period cramps) without fibroids
Endometriosis or adenomyosis, which can cause deep pelvic pain that radiates
Spine or hip conditions (e.g., sciatica from a herniated disc)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot in the leg—this is uncommon but serious. Seek urgent care for new one-sided leg swelling, warmth, redness, or sudden unexplained pain, especially with shortness of breath or chest pain.

When to see a clinician

Make an appointment if you have any of the following:

Heavy bleeding (soaking a pad or tampon every 1–2 hours, passing large clots, or periods lasting more than 7 days)
Pelvic pressure, urinary frequency, or new constipation
Pain that interferes with work, school, sleep, or daily activities
Difficulty conceiving or pregnancy loss history
Signs of anemia: fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin

Seek urgent or emergency care for severe, sudden pain; fainting; fever with pelvic pain; or symptoms concerning for DVT as noted above.

How fibroids and leg pain are diagnosed

Your clinician will review your symptoms and medical history, perform a pelvic exam, and may order tests such as:

Pelvic ultrasound (first-line imaging) to identify fibroids, their number, and location
Pelvic MRI when anatomy is unclear or to plan procedures
Blood tests to check for anemia or iron deficiency if bleeding is heavy

Risk factors for fibroids include being in your 30s and 40s, family history, and Black race/ethnicity (with higher prevalence and symptom burden). Many people with fibroids never need treatment; care is individualized to symptoms and goals (e.g., fertility preservation).

Evidence-based ways to feel better

Self-care strategies

NSAIDs: Over-the-counter ibuprofen or naproxen reduce prostaglandin production and can ease pelvic and leg pain. Typical adult dosing: ibuprofen 200–400 mg every 6–8 hours or naproxen 220 mg every 8–12 hours with food. Do not exceed over-the-counter daily limits and avoid if you have kidney disease, ulcers, certain heart conditions, or are on blood thinners unless advised by a clinician.
Heat therapy: A heating pad or warm bath relaxes uterine and leg muscles and can be as effective as some medications for cramps.
Gentle movement: Light walking or stretching improves blood flow and reduces stiffness.
Iron support if bleeding is heavy: Dietary iron (lean meats, beans, leafy greens) plus vitamin C for absorption. Talk with your clinician before starting iron supplements.
Magnesium: Some find 200–400 mg/day helpful for muscle tension. Check with a clinician first, especially if you have kidney issues.

Medical treatments for fibroids and heavy bleeding

Options depend on your symptoms, the size and location of fibroids, your preferences, and whether you want to preserve fertility. Discuss risks, benefits, and side effects with your clinician.

Hormonal contraception: Combined pills, patch, ring, or progestin-only methods (including the levonorgestrel-releasing IUD) can lighten periods and reduce cramps.
Tranexamic acid: A non-hormonal medication taken only during menses to reduce heavy bleeding.
GnRH agonists and antagonists: Short-term therapies that lower estrogen to shrink fibroids and reduce bleeding. FDA-approved oral combinations include elagolix with add-back therapy and relugolix with add-back therapy for heavy menstrual bleeding due to fibroids. These require monitoring and have time limits due to potential bone effects.
Uterine-sparing procedures: Uterine artery embolization (blocks blood flow to fibroids), radiofrequency ablation (Acessa/Sonata), and myomectomy (surgical removal of fibroids) can relieve pressure and heavy bleeding.
Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus is a definitive option for those who have completed childbearing and want a permanent solution.

Practical tips to track and talk with your clinician

Keep a symptom diary noting timing of leg aches, severity, and what helps; log bleeding (pads/tampons used, clots) and any missed activities.
Bring imaging reports to appointments and clarify your goals (pain relief, lighter periods, avoiding surgery, future fertility).
Ask how each option might affect leg pain, not just bleeding or pressure.

The bottom line

Leg aches during your period can come from typical menstrual cramps, but fibroids may amplify or contribute—especially when heavy bleeding and pelvic pressure are present. Effective treatments range from self-care and medications to minimally invasive procedures and surgery. If leg pain is new, severe, or accompanied by heavy bleeding or other red flags, get evaluated to pinpoint the cause and build a plan that fits your life.

Sources

This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician about your symptoms and treatment options.