Medically reviewed by Saina Attaran, MD, MRCS, FRCS, DABVLM, on May 19, 2025
If you experience leg pain during your period, you're not alone. Many women experience aches, cramps, and discomfort in their legs as part of their menstrual symptoms. But did you know that leg pain during menstruation might not just be hormonal?
In some cases, vein problems like varicose veins or venous insufficiency could be the cause of leg pain.
We consulted with Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) vein specialist Dr. Saina Attaran to explore what causes leg pain, especially around your period, and when it might be time to talk to a vein expert for relief. She is the lead vein physician at CVR vein clinics in Gilbert, Arizona, and Mesa, Arizona.
📅To schedule a consultation with Dr. Attaran in Gilbert, Arizona, CLICK HERE.
📅To schedule a consultation with Dr. Attaran in Mesa, Arizona, CLICK HERE.
📍Don’t live near Gilbert or Mesa? Call 240-965-3915 to speak to a helpful Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at one of 110+ CVR vein clinics near you.
If leg pain is disrupting your life, especially if it doesn’t go away after your period, it’s time to get answers. The board-certified vein specialists at Center for Vein Restoration are here to help. We’ll evaluate your symptoms, check for signs of vein disease, and recommend personalized, minimally invasive outpatient treatments to help you feel (and look!) better fast. Don’t let vein problems slow you down—schedule your consultation today.
It’s normal to feel some discomfort in your legs during your period, but how can you tell if it’s just part of your menstrual cycle or something else, perhaps vein disease?
Menstrual Leg Pain Usually Feels Like:
Vein-Related Leg Pain May Feel Like:
Key Tip:
If your leg pain always shows up with your period and goes away soon thereafter, it’s probably hormonal. It could also be the beginning of venous insufficiency or an undiagnosed venous insufficiency. Having said that, if the pain persists or disturbs your daily activity, is getting worse, or you notice visible leg vein changes, it’s time to consult a board-certified Center for Vein Restoration vein doctor. They can help determine if venous insufficiency or another vein disease is the cause of your aching or painful legs.
📞 Call CVR at 240-965-3915
📅 Or book online HERE
Leg pain is a common symptom for many women during menstruation. Hormonal changes, especially a drop in estrogen, can lead to water retention, which causes swelling and discomfort in the legs. Per Healthline, prostaglandins, fat-based compounds in the body that act like hormones, play a key role in processes like inflammation, blood flow, and uterine contractions. They can cause menstrual cramps by triggering uterine muscle contractions and increasing sensitivity to pain.
While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help block prostaglandins and ease period pain, excessive or persistent pain may signal an underlying issue. If NSAIDs don’t provide relief, or if your leg pain is sharp, persistent, or comes with visible signs like spider veins, varicose veins, or leg heaviness, it’s important to see a doctor to explore other causes, such as endometriosis, fibroids, or venous insufficiency (vein disease).
Your veins work hard to carry blood from your legs back to your heart. When your vein valves don’t work properly, blood can pool in your legs, leading to venous insufficiency. This vein condition often causes varicose veins, spider veins, leg pain, swelling, and a heavy feeling in the legs. For many women, these symptoms can get worse during menstruation due to hormonal changes.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, varicose veins and venous insufficiency are quite common. Approximately 1 in 3 adults have varicose veins, and 1 in 50 people develop chronic venous insufficiency.
Wondering if your leg pain is more than just a part of your cycle? You don’t have to guess. The trusted experts at Center for Vein Restoration can uncover the cause of your discomfort and offer real solutions. With advanced vein care options and a compassionate team, we’re ready to help you get back to feeling your best.
Call us now to book an appointment at 240-965-3915, or take the first step toward pain-free living by using the link below:
Hormones like estrogen and progesterone influence your veins. During your menstrual cycle, changes in these hormones can cause vein walls to relax, leading to more blood pooling. If you already have weak vein valves, this extra stress can worsen symptoms like leg pain, swelling, and visible veins.
The Mayo Clinic explains that varicose veins are more common in women, especially those with hormone fluctuations due to menstruation, pregnancy, or birth control.
If your leg pain lingers after your period ends, is getting worse, or comes with visible signs like swelling or bulging veins, it’s a good idea to talk to a vein specialist. You don’t have to live with ongoing pain—there are simple, effective treatments that can help you feel better and keep your veins healthy.
📞 Call CVR at 240-965-3915
📅 Or book online HERE
The good news? Modern vein treatment options offered at Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) are effective and minimally invasive. A consultation with a CVR vein expert can offer personalized outpatient solutions to help you feel better, including:
These treatments require little to no downtime and can significantly reduce your symptoms quickly. Patients return to their normal routine the same day with few restrictions.
While some factors like hormones and genetics are out of your control, there are steps you can take to support healthy veins:
Don’t let persistent leg pain steal your comfort or peace of mind, especially if it worsens around your period or lingers beyond it. Leg pain could be more than just a hormonal symptom; it might be a sign of an underlying vein condition that needs attention.
The board-certified physicians at Center for Vein Restoration specialize in diagnosing and treating vein problems with advanced, minimally invasive solutions tailored to your needs. Take the first step toward relief and clarity—schedule your consultation today and let us help you reclaim healthy, pain-free legs.
Don't wait—your legs deserve to feel light and pain-free all month long.
1. How can I tell if my leg pain during my period is hormonal or related to vein problems?
Hormonal leg pain usually feels like a dull, heavy ache or muscle cramps that come and go with your period and improve with over-the-counter pain relievers, stretching, or heat. Vein-related pain often feels like a constant ache or heaviness that worsens after standing or sitting, may include throbbing or burning, and is sometimes accompanied by swelling, varicose veins, or spider veins. If your pain lingers beyond your period or gets worse over time, it could be vein-related.
2. Can varicose veins or venous insufficiency cause leg pain that gets worse during menstruation?
Yes. Hormonal changes during menstruation, especially fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, can cause vein walls to relax, leading to more blood pooling in the legs. If you have varicose veins or venous insufficiency, this extra stress can worsen symptoms like leg pain, heaviness, swelling, and visible veins during your period.
3. When should I see a vein specialist for leg pain that doesn’t go away after my period?
You should see a vein specialist if your leg pain persists beyond your menstrual cycle, worsens over time, or is accompanied by visible vein changes like swelling, bulging veins, or spider veins. This is especially true if there is a family history of venous insufficiency and your work requires sitting or standing for a long period of time. A board-certified vein expert can help determine if vein disease is the cause and offer effective treatment options to relieve your discomfort.
4. What treatments are available if my leg pain is caused by a vein condition?
Center for Vein Restoration offers several minimally invasive treatments, including sclerotherapy for spider veins, endovenous laser treatment (EVLT), radiofrequency ablation (RFA)for varicose veins, and Varithena microfoam therapy. These outpatient procedures have little to no downtime and can significantly improve symptoms like pain, swelling, and heaviness.
5. How do hormonal changes during my cycle make vein-related leg pain worse?
Hormones like estrogen and progesterone influence vein health by affecting vein wall tone. During your period, hormonal shifts can cause veins to relax, allowing more blood to pool in the legs, which increases pressure and pain, especially if you have underlying vein issues like venous insufficiency. This can lead to increased symptoms such as leg heaviness, swelling, and discomfort.
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