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Painful hips affect everything don't they.  You can't get out of bed, you cant hardly get up and down from the toilet, and you can't hardly walk.  I too have an increase in pain and inflammation when I am PMSing and during my menstruation cycle.  My rheumy told me not too long ago that he believes that there is a connection with out hormones and oujr flares and that in fact they are doing studies the connection of hormomes during menstruation and after childbirth.  I think a lot of us can identify with you on this one!  Has your rheumy done any xrays to see if there has been any damage to your hips?  My old rheumatologist that I was having "sympathy pains" from the pain in other parts of my body.  Then when I started seeing my new rheumatologist he did xrays immediately and I got the news that I needed total hip replacement surgery.  The fact is that RA affects different people, well, differently.  And even if you just have pain in your hands it doesn't mean that it's not affecting your hips as well.  I try to remind people all the time that RA can do damage even when there is no pain present.  Take it easy, keep your head up, and I hope for relief for you soon!  Good luck and best wishes!