Is it normal to get sharp pain in your butt during periods?

During my periods, I sometimes experience sharp pain in my butt (or buttocks). The sharp pain feels like a mini-shock, and I am getting worried. Is it normal? Should I be worried?

A friend of mine once said that our bodies should send us a message alerting us that we are not pregnant instead of making us go through periods. I understand her point because in addition to the stress that comes with having to be conscious about soiling your clothes or someone smelling your menstrual product, the stomach bloats, and you may experience acne, fatigue, and abdominal pain (cramps). In addition to this, some women will experience cramps in their butt. It is a lot.

So, are these butt cramps normal?

Yes.

In most cases it is normal to get the sharp pain in your butt during your periods.

The butt cramps are a real medical condition known as “proctalgia fugax” which means pain in your butt. This condition causes brief and often severe pain to the rectal area. This condition can be caused by several factors:

What causes butt cramps?

The butt cramps happen because hormonal changes during your periods can lead to contractions in the rectum and pelvic floor muscles.
The second possible cause is the involuntary and sometimes painful contractions of the pelvic area, also known as muscle spasms. These are caused by activities or changes happening in your uterus which put pressure on anal nerves causing pain.
The third possible cause is the changes in bowel movement during your periods –you may notice that you poop a lot more during your period, experience diarrhea, or constipation and this may trigger this pain and discomfort.

But that’s not all…

It is important to be aware of other possible causes of such pain. Some conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and irritable bowel syndrome, can also cause similar pain in the pelvic area and may require medical attention.