Exercises to help period pains?

ktsjourney

I get bad period pains and find when they happen, I do no exercise because I can't be bothered. I know exercise is meant to help, but if I do my usual running it somehow makes the pain worse. I don't want to go a week without exercising, so ladies what kind of exercises do you do?

z304

I've found that easing into exercise with an extended warmup usually helps. Sometimes all I can do is yoga after warming up, though- I figure at least that's stretching me out and hitting my muscles a fair amount.
Have you tried walking 5-10 minutes then doing yoga?

theawill519

Anything to work your abs, believe it or not. I used to dance when I was younger and if we had cramps, the teacher would make us do some crunches. It's uncomfortable at first, but the more you work your abdominal muscles, the more you force your muscles to expand instead of remain contracted and cramped. Also, walking helps if your upper legs are hurting, as well.

iLoveMyPitbull1225

take some advil and just do it. My period symptoms have decreased dramatically since I starting working out daily.

tomatoey

Just easy cardio to get oxygen to all my parts. I've noticed that I'm more likely to hurt myself around my period when I do anything challenging on the first couple of days. No idea if it's anything to do with the hormone relaxin, which relaxes ligaments (http://breakingmuscle.com/womens-fitness/relaxin-hormone-facts-female-athletes-need-to-know ) or if it's bc my focus just isn't there bc of pain and malaise, but I much prefer to take it easy or just have a day off.

tomatoey

But I think it does help to be at a good level of fitness ie do lots the rest of the month.