I’m 50 and have experienced many of the menopausal issues discussed in earlier posts (I love this app by the way – it’s made me feel sane again, thank you!). I now have a question of my own and hope the community can help.
For the last year, I have suffered what I thought was a sciatica nerve issue with pain starting around my lower back and shooting down the right side and leg (often radiating out of what feels like my ovaries). However, I’ve noted that the pain seems to coincide with my irregular, but frequent ovulation/periods. I’m wondering if the back pain may be related to my cycle and if anyone else has experienced something similar?
– Ann, London
I have been having this as well. The pain got was so bad that I could barely walk, sit, or stand upright for more than a few minutes. It was really painful. I have food allergies/sensitivity and occasionally get similar pain from eating something my body doesn’t like which causes an autoimmune response resulting in pain, so I initially thought it was that, but when it didn’t go away I realized it might be related to perimenopause and my cycle. I haven’t had a period for a couple of months and then ? out of the blue this intense debilitating pain. The doctor prescribed muscle relaxers and 800 mg ibuprofen, the muscle relaxers worked for the first day then nothing. The thing that helped was the 800 mg ibuprofen, so I researched a little and have been supplementing my diet with anti-inflammatory foods at each meal and that helped, but the weird thing that brought me back to normal was cutting out coffee. I just found out today that coffee in some people can have an inflammatory effect and has been documented as a trigger to stronger menopause symptoms. I tested it and went 4 days without coffee and all symptoms went away, then drank coffee for 3 days and the pain returned. I have been 3 days now without coffee and the pain is subsiding again. Now remember I have severe food sensitivities so this may not work for you, but it might be worth a try. I also increased the amount of times I practice my kegels everyday and that also seems to help. I am also scheduled to see a rheumatologist and will update you when I have something solid from them. Good luck on your pain free journey. ❤️
I struggled with lower back pain during my menstrual years nonstop. Had a hysterectomy 5 years ago for my adenomyosis thinking this was the culprit. My hysterectomy resulted in my body going into early menopause (kept my ovaries) Sadly I am still having it and it’s now accompanied by sciatica and pirformis syndrome. I do notice that it gets aggravated when my other menopause symptoms go haywire or if my stress/anxiety levels go up. That’s how I found this app to see if there was a connection.
I now swear by an Epsom salt bath every night which helps quite a bit, mild stretches, a massage gun, icy hot etc. lots of self care. Wish I had a remedy
Not heard of Epsom salt bath as a relief but I’ll definitely try it now. Thank you
Me too. The only thing that helps me is the Epsom salt bath. Sometimes morning and night!
Oh my, this another thing that happens to me too. I am so glad I found this site as it really makes me feel that I’m not alone in all of this. During my period – day or so before and until a few days after – I get what feels like sciatica down my left leg. Can’t sleep on it for too long and contributes to the tossing and turning trying to get comfy in bed. is it a hormone thing ? Would love to know. Yet another box ticked in the peri menopause game of bingo. ?.
That’s really interesting to hear.. I’ve just had the same experience the last few months and thought it was lack of stretching but totally makes sense as I seem to have a cycle every 2-3 weeks… it’s quite painful
Hi Fiona. Thank you for responding. Sorry to hear you suffer from the same – it really is rather painful. I’m hoping to find something that will bring relief and doesn’t require a vast dose of painkillers. I’ve tried yoga, magnesium and other herbal remedies without any impact.. maybe someone out there have some good recommendations for us
I’m 47 and experiencing exactly the same. I actually called the doctor about it as I was worried. I am now awaiting a scan and blood test.
I too considered going to the doctor, but I then had a couple of ovarian cysts that needed to be removed. When the surgeon removed them I mentioned the pain in my ovaries/lower back and asked him to check it. He told me that there wasn’t anything out of the ordinary and nothing in the ultrasound.
I hope your tests go well and they’re able to help you.
I find that stress causes my lower back pain to flare up and my other joint pain as well. Stress is definitely a trigger for me as I know when I am getting too stressed as everything starts to itch too, especially my head.
I’m 52 & have been getting back pain for years with my periods. I thought I was going crazy ….trying to figure out what I did to injure myself. I finally made the connection.
Hi Ann, that sounds so troubling and uncomfortable. Ovarian cysts can cause that type of pain, but it appears from your comment above that you already had your cysts removed and received an ultrasound. Your pain may indeed be related to your frequent menstrual cycles. Women can develop moderate to severe dysmenorrhea (basically painful periods) during menopause that can include lower back pain radiating down the leg. This pain is due to prostaglandins, which cause cramping during your period. In general, women report experiencing different types of nerve pain during menopause, but the reason behind this change is not well understood.
Another cause of this pain could be sciatic endometriosis, which is where uterine tissue grows around nerves in the pelvis. However, I imagine your doctor would have ruled this out on ultrasound. If the pain is disconcerting, it is best to follow up with your gynecologist to explore various causes and solutions. Fingers crossed your pain resolves soon Ann!
Hi Julia, thank you so much for the very informative response – this is a great help! I’ll follow your advice and arrange an appointment with a gynaecologist to investigate as its taken its toll now. Like several ladies mentioned, you can’t sleep, can’t sit and walking some days becomes really uncomfortable. Many many thanks, Anne
I’ve suffered from lower back pain for years due to strenuous job. But in the last two years Ive had a reoccurring pain in the top of my pelvis which I can also feel in area around ovaries. I had quite a few osteopath sessions but the pain has not gone. Occasionally it will go for a week or two then return!? I have found that yoga breathing practices and cycling help
I am having the same issue and thought it might be a tore muscle etc… haven’t had a period in almost 5 years but I agree it’s hormonal, so glad I read you post not so panicked now as I like to keep fit. ??
I’m 53. My menopause pain expresses itself as almost non stop neck shoulder and upper back pain. On bonus days I also get hip and leg pain! However, after months, months, of trying different things. I found something that works for me. I m not sure why it works but it does.
Morning: glass of soya milk, 1 A.Vogel menopause tab. I nearly always have porridge with fruit for breakfast and a green smoothie. (I’m vegan)
Through the day, I try to get through at least 2 litres of water. I’ve discovered that caffeine is not my friend. Also, I try to fit in long walk.
After dinner, glass of soya milk with a Menopause tab. A hot bath or shower. And later I drink a a big mug of of Yogi Bedtime Tea – contains Valerian (Not the Nightime blend) Then I lie down and do deep breathing until I fall asleep.
I know this sounds ridiculous. It might be in my head, but this especially the soya milk & tea, seems to work for me. I almost feel ‘normal’ like I can manage this. I just thought I’d share it in case it helps someone.
I never suffered back pain before the menopause I was one of the lucky ones, I could move wardrobes doors anything really but since the menopause I have this terrible siatica back pain every day and if I do move something it feels like something is trapped in my back and I can’t move until I sit or lie down it’s so annoying x
I had an ablation about 10 years ago. I am having what I think is a period??? I have a little spotting evidence! The back ache!!!! Omg I can barely move!! It’s my whole lower back around to my torso
Oh man, you are speaking to me, except mine is anytime I aggravate the area. I have been diagnosed with sciatica, bursitis and periformis ! When it happens, I need to do 5-7 days of stretches, very short walks, alternating hot and cold treatment, sitting on a tennis ball to try to release the muscle, nerve, bursitis?, and over the counter ibuprofen with a muscle relaxant. I always wait too long to go to the doctor (because at this point, I know he thinks I am a hypochondriac with all my aches and pains) and start physio and massage, sometimes acupuncture too. It only started after perimenopause started.
I never had back pain with my period till I had my last child ( who is now 20 years old) but the last couple of years , my back and hip pain is extremely difficult ( the same shooting pain in the same place) I’ve tried ibuprofen, alive , rubs ( of all sorts ) the only thing that dulls the pain a little bit is actually midol ( not pamprin ) I literally just found out today after joining the group today, this a symptom of menopause ! I was completely shocked !
I feel your pain! I’ve been having that problem too. I have a bad back anyway but it never occurred to me that it could be related to the change. Growing older is no fun!