Real reason you get ‘shooty bum pain’ when you’re on your period

For many of us, being on our period comes with a whole host of aches and pains.

While a lot of us suffer from painful period cramps, many womenw also feel bloated, get sore breasts, go through a whole rollercoaster of emotions, and feel incredibly tired during their time of the month.

But have you ever experienced a sharp, stabbing pain in your bum while on your period?

Well, if you have, you're absolutely not alone and there's actually a reason why it happens.

Have you experienced the sharp bum pain during your period? (Getty Stock Photo)

It seems lots of us have experienced this unusual sensation.

One person wrote on X: "That sharp stabbing pain you getting in your bum during your period as well you’ll be walking normally then literally have to stop walking because it feels like a knife went up your a**."

While another said: "The sharp pain you get in your butt when on ur period," as a third added: "One day period pain is going to kill us. Also, that sharp pain in the bum?"

And a fourth said: "One thing I’ll never get is the fact most women have experienced proctalgia fugax (that sharp sudden pain up your bum, usually during your period) at some point and we don’t know what causes it and no one’s doing any research on it."

So what is it? And what causes it?

Why do some people get bum pain on their period?

Ashfaq Khan, who is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist on Harley Street, told Cosmopolitan that there are actually a number of reasons why this happens.

"There are several reasons why women may experience butt pain during their period," he said.

"Most commonly, a group of lipids [organic compounds] called prostaglandins are released during the period which can cause the anal muscle to contract."

Khan also explained that if the person already has haemorrhoids - which are swollen veins in the anus - these can become more painful during a period.

In addition, those with endometriosis can also experience bum pain during their period, due to 'internal inflammation'.

Many women have complained about the uncomfortable pain (Getty Stock Photo)

Khan added: "Sometimes, PMS is associated with premenstrual constipation which can give rectal/anal pain. The reason for PMS-related pain lies with the progesterone hormone.

"This hormone level is usually very high just before a period."

Can it be prevented?

Khan says the best way to try and reduce the pain is gentle, pelvic floor exercises, as well as avoiding certain foods that can worsen cramps, including dairy, caffeine and fried foods.

Otherwise, using paracetamol or ibuprofen can sometimes be necessary if the pain is severe.

• Why certain foods taste really weird when you’re on your period
• Little-known effects your period may be having on your hair and skin
• Everything that happens to your body when you have sex
• Doctors finally reveal why the second day of your period is so brutal