Do you work out during your period?

13

Replies

  • crista_b
    crista_b Posts: 1,192 Member
    I usually do. It depends on how I'm feeling on the first day or 2, but usually I'll do something. I get severe cramps at the very beginning to the point where I'm curled in a ball screaming with tears rolling down my face so it's hard to really do anything at all. My doctor actually had to prescribe hydrocodone because standard OTC painkillers weren't cutting it. Usually if I can get the pain cut down low enough and am not feeling dizzy/loopy from the drugs, I'll work out.

    Actually I just had to deal with day 1 and severe cramps yesterday. After taking my drugs and laying on the couch most of the afternoon, I was feeling better and really wanted to go run so I did. It's really just a mood thing. If I'm in the mood, I'll do it; if I'm not, I won't*.



    *TWSS :wink:
  • Thaaaaanks people! You're all inspiring!
    Merci :smile:
  • TinaRoberts67
    TinaRoberts67 Posts: 35 Member
    Yes on most days...of course there are usually one or two days during that time, (and I'm one of those "lucky" girls whose lasts for 7+ days) when its just too heavy to work out even if I double up on protection so I don't feel guilty about taking that time if I need to.

    I am too, really sucks. Dang the doctor for taking me off birth control due to my age...ugh
  • fannyfrost
    fannyfrost Posts: 756 Member
    If my bleeding is excessive, like go through in one hour (which yes really happens) then NO because ICK. If I have cramps, I find that exercise helps. Although sometimes my workouts aren't as full out during as they would be on a normal day.
  • sweetpea03b
    sweetpea03b Posts: 1,123 Member
    Yep... usually not as often and not as high intensity... but I try to get my butt to the gym anyway.
  • JuliaLee67
    JuliaLee67 Posts: 149
    Personally, excercise helps relieve my cramps and general sh*tty mood at that TOM, but sometimes I'm too crampy/irritated and just don't feel like doing it, so I take a day off. On those off days I try to do yoga with breathing excercises for 30 minutes or so, I find that I feel better with a little stretching. And some days I can channel that irritability into my workouts, esp. if it's a weight-lifting day, makes me feel like Wonder Woman, lol.
  • Normally, I workout with it. I find that it slows it down and makes me feel better. It's when I stop working out that I feel crappy again :-( But if you don't feel well and really sick, I wouldn't go.
  • conniemaxwell5
    conniemaxwell5 Posts: 943 Member
    Yes, I work out every day of my TOM. Lots of water the week prior and working out the week of seems to help me with bloating and other symptoms but honestly I rarely ever have pain so I don't know if they would help with pain or not. You might try taking some ibuprofin or other pain reliever before working out to minimize your discomfort.
  • Saucy_lil_Minx
    Saucy_lil_Minx Posts: 3,302 Member
    I do, it helps the cramping, and fight the sluggish feeling you get.
  • 43932452
    43932452 Posts: 7,246 Member
    Mine is taking a break (menopausal, idk) but I have pcos
    and pain and shedding can be pretty bad. I usually go
    by how bad they are and look for lower impact routines
    or just sit it out, like the good old days in girls P.E. lol
  • garber6th
    garber6th Posts: 1,890 Member
    Yes.
    So I don't hurt people.

    Exactly.
  • Sindakhelekwen
    Sindakhelekwen Posts: 19 Member
    I do exercise during my shark week. It actually helps with the cramps if they're really bad.
  • summertime_girl
    summertime_girl Posts: 3,945 Member
    I really don't know how anyone can ask this question seriously. OF COURSE WORK OUT! And do everything else that you do at all times of the month. You are not dying. It's a freaking period.

    (Unless there's some kind of medical issue, or whatever).
  • Mjhnbgff
    Mjhnbgff Posts: 112
    I don't really get any cramping or pain during my period, just lots of bloating and I get really really hungry. So yes, I work out during my period.

    OP, are debilitating periods like yours normal? Sorry, I have no idea. My TOM has always been uneventful and I've never had kids.
  • Lift_This_
    Lift_This_ Posts: 2,756 Member
    i work out during my period...being active helps me alleviate the pain, and i feel i have more super powers during that time...lol
  • DeeDiddyGee
    DeeDiddyGee Posts: 601 Member
    Have you not seen the adverts? Apparantly during our periods we can ski, handglide, moutain climb, wrestle with cougars, which is amazing because I cant do any of that s**t when Im not on my period. Power Periods!

    Period. Because I dont think I said period enough above.

    Serious note, I do yoga during that week for cramps, ease back on the cardio but up the lifting xx

    OMG! I am laughing my *kitten* off!
  • wcso911mn
    wcso911mn Posts: 68 Member
    I dont get my period anymore..woot woot

    Me neither. But, then again, not having a uterus is probably why. :smile:
  • fhargis0002
    fhargis0002 Posts: 113 Member
    Yes, it really helps actually. I have bad ones, with horrible mood swings, cravings, etc, working out has helped me curb that stuff a lot.
  • Velum_cado
    Velum_cado Posts: 1,608 Member
    I do, but my periods don't tend to be very bad. If you're having trouble, but still want to be active, you could just ease up a bit. Go for a walk or something.
  • DeeDiddyGee
    DeeDiddyGee Posts: 601 Member
    If I am in my creative period, then no because I need to focus all of my energies on my creation. If I am in a reflective period, than possibly, but I have to listen to gentle music. . . sorry ladies. Not trying to make light of what y'all go through. Just thought that maybe I could make someone smile!!=) Have a great day!!

    The bigger question is why are you even reading posts about menstrual pain/working out?!?
  • chelstakencharge
    chelstakencharge Posts: 1,021 Member
    YES, having my period is not excuse for me not to work out. With that being said, after my surgery in July I have an 80% chance of never having a period again and if I do it will be so light it would not even be an issue
  • Tropical_Turtle
    Tropical_Turtle Posts: 2,236 Member
    Of course then again these days I have no choice... My cycle is so messed up I get it three times a month. Makes me feel better though. If I dont I feel like a sloth, and get depressed.
  • bert16
    bert16 Posts: 726 Member
    Ladies, I've got a question for you... Do you exercise during your bad week of the month? I've got usually so much pain that I slow down in all the activities I do but I'm affraid that if I stop exercising four or five days, I won't be able to catch up... :angry:

    Always... never occurred to me not to...
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    Pain is a deciding factor.

    I read that during your period, your progesterone & estrogen levels are lowered which may make it easier to push through a workout. That was just in a magazine, so don't quote me as a research study. I like to think of that whenever I feel like a period allows me to skip workouts. I find some of my best workouts are when I'm on my period, I just feel tougher & able to lift more weight or run a bit longer.

    http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/period-workout

    It is true that your progesterone and estrogen levels are lower when you're menstruating. And it's possible that it could result in getting a better workout, but I'd imagine the effect would be small, as the amount of testosterone in your system will still be the same as always. I'm not aware of any scientific studies in this, but given the known effects of the hormones in question it's a reasonable suggestion.

    Personally I always carry on exercising regardless of the time of the month, and i do like to think that I really would gain just that tiny bit extra muscle during that time lol (I'm currently training and eating for strength/muscle gains) but I don't really know how much difference it makes in terms of actual, real world results. But I do think that women should exercise during their period unless you're in so much pain or otherwise so ill that you can't (and also I think severe period pains should be discussed with an ob/gyn, as many women are taught that it's just something that you have to put up with, but severe period pains can be a sign of a medical problem like endometriosis)
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    Have you not seen the adverts? Apparantly during our periods we can ski, handglide, moutain climb, wrestle with cougars, which is amazing because I cant do any of that s**t when Im not on my period. Power Periods!

    Period. Because I dont think I said period enough above.

    Serious note, I do yoga during that week for cramps, ease back on the cardio but up the lifting xx

    OMG! I am laughing my *kitten* off!

    It's not the period that gives you super powers.... you have to use the advertised brand of sanitary protection to get the desired effects. Other forms of sanitary protection sit in your knickers like bricks and stop you from doing anything because of chafed legs or fear that they'll leak and destroy your favourite underwear and trousers. But their brand of sanitary protection not only plugs everything up effectively, it also gives you super powers so you can run through fire hydrants and do other feats of extreme athleticism.
  • JellyButter
    JellyButter Posts: 160 Member
    Feels better when you do. But sometimes I'm just extremely lazy. I just take some pills and I'm on my way.
    Tampons become your best friend.
  • laurenmanderson1
    laurenmanderson1 Posts: 113 Member
    Exercising usually relieves the majority of the bad side effects TOM tends to bring around for me! I always feel better afterward!
  • shar140
    shar140 Posts: 1,158 Member
    Yes, I always work out during the bad week - it actually HELPS with the pain. It takes a little more motivation and discipline to "force" yourself to do it, but once you've done it, you feel much better after the workout and a lovely shower (:

    This...although I'm not sure if it actually *helps* with the pain, as much as it distracts me from the pain, lol.
  • majica8
    majica8 Posts: 210 Member
    I usually just try to go for walks. Cycling is pretty much a no no and those are the only 2 forms of exercise I do really. Just depends how I'm feeling. If you don't feel up to it then don't.
  • tolae2006
    tolae2006 Posts: 54 Member
    No excuse for me all I do is listen to my body