Cohort study, 2019
Why do some women's legs feel heavy and swollen before their period?
The study found that women with premenstrual leg heaviness have enlarged leg veins during the later part of their menstrual cycle. Vein swelling and backward flow occur during this time, which explains the heaviness and swelling.
What they did
Researchers examined 39 women with premenstrual leg heaviness using ultrasound to measure leg vein diameter on days 1-4 (menstrual phase) and days 25-28 (secretory phase, just before menstruation). They measured veins in the morning and evening.
What they found
Great saphenous vein diameter increased on average 26.2% from morning during menstrual phase to evening during secretory phase. 43.6% of women had vein reflux (backward flow) during the secretory phase. In women with reflux, vein diameter increased by an average of 40.6% throughout the cycle. Largest vein diameters were in the evening during the secretory phase.
What it means for you
Women with premenstrual leg heaviness have veins that expand more later in their cycle, some with backward flow. This swelling likely explains the heaviness. The small study identifies a physical mechanism for a common symptom. However, it lacks a control group, so we cannot confirm the vein changes are unique to women with leg heaviness.
39
women with premenstrual leg heaviness studied
26.2%
increase in vein diameter from menstrual to secretory phase
43.6%
of women had vein reflux during secretory phase
About the study
- Original title
- Changes in trunk veins of the lower limbs in women with premenstrual leg heaviness and swelling
- Authors
- Tsukanov YТ, Nicolaichuk A, Nicolaichuk T
- Journal
- International angiology : a journal of the International Union of Angiology
- Year
- 2019
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 39
- What was tested
- None. Observational study using ultrasound to measure vein changes.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.23736/s0392-9590.19.04084-7
Topics
Related studies
Randomised trial, 2020
What is the best dose of Vitex for treating PMS?
Randomised trial, 2014
Does the combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium reduce menstrual symptoms and migraine?
Randomised trial, 2012
Does Vitex agnus castus work for PMS, and what dose is best?
Survey study, 2011
What premenstrual symptoms do women experience around the world and how much do they affect daily life?
Survey study, 1994
How many different ways do researchers measure PMS in clinical trials?
Study, 2026
What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?