Stressed about Relaxin

NeonNoon

A couple of days ago, I was helping DH lift a big but not heavy box and I seemed to have pulled something in my back.  I had bent my knees and everything.  Luckily, I've mostly recovered already.

It seems that us women are particularly prone to injury in the luteal phase from seemingly innocuous movements.  The estrogen drop weakens muscles and ligaments, and relaxin kicks in before AF, loosening the ligaments.  Female athletes get more injuries in this phase too.

Does this affect you?  What's your strategy for prevention/coping?

For those who've been pregnant before, how have you been affected by relaxin?

tlc35

I have read this and heard that ACL injuries are more common in the luteal phase but I haven't noticed feeling different myself or changed anything I do.

jchickiem

I've heard about this, too. I tore my ACL right towards the end of my luteal phase.

KirstenAlecia

When i was 7 months along with my D i threw out my back pretty bad……doing something that was fairly normal for me. 

MelissaMiso

As a klutz, I hurt myself equally no matter where I am hormonally. When pregnant, I just was more conscious about yoga poses and stretching but I didn't injure myself. I do notice I drop things more when I'm menstruating and I have heard women get more clumsy during that week.

NeonNoon

Ouch @jchickiem did you recover fully?

I'm a total premenstrual klutz @MelissaMiso - it's embarrassing (think stumbling on platforms)

that's exactly what I'm not looking forward to! @KirstenAlecia

I envy you @tlc35

jchickiem

I recovered okay after I had the torn ACL replaced with a cadaver tendon. Most days my knee does not bother me, but I too would describe myself as a premenstrual klutz!

Pintobean39

When I was pregnant with my youngest I kept twisting my ankle. One day at about 7 months I was standing there talking to someone and just fell over because both my ankles gave out. I was so embarrassed.

NeonNoon

that's awful! @Pintobean39

Davie813

Ugh.  My hips, knees, ankles, and feet will NEVER BE THE SAME.  Totally worth it, though!

kelley72

NeonNoon maybe you won't have further issues- and I am a klutz...

gabbagal

Funny you should mention it, about 4 days before AF was due (about a week ago) I fell in front of my house. Luckily I didn't hurt myself too badly, but it was so random. I don't remember twisting my ankle or anything, i think it was more of a balance issue as I was leaning over the half step in front of the sidewalk to look down the street then just kind of went down in what felt like slow motion. DH was sure it meant I was pg, but alas no. I'm also clumsy by nature, so that's definitely a bad combination

URMySunshine77

Hmm. I've never noticed relaxin in my LP. I tend to run into the sides of doorways, but I think that I have poor peripheral vision. Does anyone else do that?

NeonNoon

I do.  I bang my elbows and knees into things, including sides of doorways, typically before my period.  I'm blaming the estrogen dip.  It's not me! It's my hormones!

Pintobean39

URMySunshine77 said:

Hmm. I've never noticed relaxin in my LP. I tend to run into the sides of doorways, but I think that I have poor peripheral vision. Does anyone else do that?

Have you had your eyes checked in a while? That sounds scary.


I run into everything all the time but I have Ménière's and I'm off now more than I'm on. Having to do all these treatments I've noticed changes up or down in estrogen set off my spells.

URMySunshine77

Pintobean39 said:

Hmm. I've never noticed relaxin in my LP. I tend to run into the sides of doorways, but I think that I have poor peripheral vision. Does anyone else do that?

Have you had your eyes checked in a while? That sounds scary. I run into everything all the time but I have Ménière's and I'm off now more than I'm on. Having to do all these treatments I've noticed changes up or down in estrogen set off my spells.

@Pintobean39: I think this happened twice in one or two days. Maybe I was rushed and it was just a fluke. If it becomes an every day occurrence, I will definitely get my eyes checked!