Why do I get achy muscles when I'm on my period?

A few things could be lurking behind achy muscles during or around the time of your period.

Slight niggles and pains that you might not usually notice can become exacerbated thanks to hormone fluctuations and the presence of inflammatory chemicals such as prostaglandins. So, you may be extra sensitive to aches and pains during your period, which means you might notice issues that you could usually ignore and would not bother you.

On the other hand, prostaglandins could actually be causing your achy muscles. These chemicals stimulate your abdominal muscles to contract which can give rise to pelvic period pains. However, the inflammation caused by these pesky prostaglandins can also spread to other places and can be the cause of back, joint and muscle pain elsewhere.

There's also the risk that we become slightly more vulnerable to cold and flu infections during this time due to the effect of the drop offf of hormones on our immune system, read my blog on this topic to find out more.

Finally, fluctuating oestrogen levels can actually affect how well we absorb and use magnesium. This mineral is crucial for healthy muscles and low levels of magnesium can result in aches, pains and cramps.

If you are suffering from achy muscles thanks to your period, you might like to try using heat to ease sore muscle cramps. Placing a hot water bottle over your back or stomach can be soothing. You can also try massaging A.Vogel Atrogel onto your achy muscles for some relief. Remember, if your symptoms are likely to be linked to hormonal fluctuations and symptoms of monthly PMS, then targetting the underlying problem with the help of Agnus castus, could also be a useful tactic.