Exercise during period w/ heavy cramps

charliejmeyers

What do you all do during this time? Looking for fun ideas to keep motivated and not give myself excuses. Don't have a lot of $ or a gym pass, so looking for at home ideas. I own a foam roller & some feet haha. Thanks

kimkimcoleman

I don't usually feel like doing anything for a day or two. I'll do some yoga poses to help with cramps.

sexymamadraeger

I have awful cramps and really heavy bleeding these days. Taking a walk actually makes them much better. Heavy exercise does not. But walking my dog does. Sometimes it makes me bleed heavier afterwards. I can't take Advil so I only have Tylenol. But I've found ice packs really help slow the bleeding and the cramping. On my heaviest nights I sleep with an ice pack on my tummy.

LivingtheLeanDream

Keeping moving really helps with TOM cramps I find. I might not feel like doing a workout but I just get on with it and voila the cramps disappear and I feel fine.
Walking/jogging/ cycling are my go to exercise.
And if none of those appeal try a YouTube workout, Jessica Smith / Fitness Blender/ Lesley Sansone to name a few.

Heather4448

There are some BC meds that stop or lessen monthly periods. Maybe you should look into that as an alternative.

SafioraLinnea

Look into using the Diva Cup. It saves me so much of the pain and discomfort and associated crabbiness (my jerk attitude is directly correlated with the amount of pain I'm in) of my period. The cup brought my pain from a 2-3 day rampage to a few days of twinge-like irritations.

That said, I'm a fan of lots of stretching/yoga and whatever exercise distracts from the pain.

everher

I take pain medicine, wait for it to kick in, and then I do some mild exercise. (i.e. walking) If it's really bad I just take a day or two off. I figure resting a day or two isn't going to affect my overall fitness level.

MsMaeFlowers

I used to flip off my uterus and do my normal work out while internally telling it that nothing it does will stop me from doing what I want to do. Then I switched birth controls to one that stopped my period and the cramps.

PaulaWallaDingDong

My high school gym teacher always told me to work through the cramps. Anyway, I flunked two years of gym and had to make them up in summer school. Whoda thunk it?

slaite1

PaulaWallaDingDong wrote: »

My high school gym teacher always told me to work through the cramps. Anyway, I flunked two years of gym and had to make them up in summer school. Whoda thunk it?

Hey... me too! I flunked for attendance, though. But I never did anything when I was there anyway.

WendyLeigh1119

Do you live near a "5Below" store? That's where I get all of my exercise equipment including the yoga mat I take to the gym. It's the same one that's $16.99 at TJMaxx.

They sell dumbbells in dollar amounts up to 5 lbs (because that's $5....their max price), medicine balls (6 and 8 lb), Swiss Balls, weighted jump ropes, resistance band sets, even ab-rollers. All $5 or less. The Bone & Joint Institute I go to for my Physical Therapy gets most of their stuff there and clued me in. Saved me tons of $$$ on basics that you can do a lot with.

WendyLeigh1119

Also...IUDs are still free at Planned Parenthood (get em' while you can!), good for 6 years, and will either dramatically lighten or stop your periods entirely. It's pure heaven. Plus less hormones than BC because it's localized and barely enters your bloodstream like BC pills and the Depo Shot do.

jemhh

Assuming that the cramping is only for 2-3 days, I'd say that if you are totally miserable, staying home and resting is a good option. Sleeping is great. A couple of days off from exercising is not going to wreck you.

tomteboda

Walking really helps me. It increases blood flow, which is a big deal there.

Luna3386

Heavy workouts usually actually help me once I get going.

Sheisinlove109

I drink something with a little caffeine, do a lighter cardio for my two heaviest days and focus a little more on weight lifting.

lauracups

Mind over matter always helped me. A scenic walk, stretching and meditation, I distract myself with music and just press on.

rjan91

First of all, get your cramps under control. Personally, I use Aleve (naproxen sodium) and ibuprofen. Take something at the first sign of cramps - as this blocks those receptors that get stimulated by hormones that are released and keep taking them for as long as you have cramps. If you wait too long, those receptors are already stimulated and then it is worse. You can also try some over the counter Magnesium as this helps too. Then I would do whatever you feel like doing. For me it might only be walking, or nothing at all.

Francl27

Tylenol and Advil for me too. I needed a bigger dose when I was bigger though. Unfortunately the pill didn't do anything to alleviate them.

jenilla1

SafioraLinnea wrote: »

Look into using the Diva Cup. It saves me so much of the pain and discomfort and associated crabbiness (my jerk attitude is directly correlated with the amount of pain I'm in) of my period. The cup brought my pain from a 2-3 day rampage to a few days of twinge-like irritations.

That said, I'm a fan of lots of stretching/yoga and whatever exercise distracts from the pain.

I'm lucky in that I've rarely had significant pain that interfered with exercising or any other activity. Most months I would barely even notice my cycle, except of course for the inconvenience of the blood. I can kind of tell it's coming on, though, because I experience physical symptoms of anxiety in the day or two before it starts. It's not like I'm worrying or having anxious thoughts, but just suddenly having sensations of anxiety in my chest (palpitations, tightness etc.) that go away a day or two after my period starts. I guess that's my version of PMS.

But anyway, enough about that weirdness. I'm curious as to how/why the Diva Cup eases pain. I'm familiar with the product but have never used it.

Francl27

jenilla1 wrote: »

SafioraLinnea wrote: »

Look into using the Diva Cup. It saves me so much of the pain and discomfort and associated crabbiness (my jerk attitude is directly correlated with the amount of pain I'm in) of my period. The cup brought my pain from a 2-3 day rampage to a few days of twinge-like irritations.

That said, I'm a fan of lots of stretching/yoga and whatever exercise distracts from the pain.

I'm lucky in that I've rarely had significant pain that interfered with exercising or any other activity. Most months I would barely even notice my cycle, except of course for the inconvenience of the blood. I can kind of tell it's coming on, though, because I experience physical symptoms of anxiety in the day or two before it starts. It's not like I'm worrying or having anxious thoughts, but just suddenly having sensations of anxiety in my chest (palpitations, tightness etc.) that go away a day or two after my period starts. I guess that's my version of PMS.

But anyway, enough about that weirdness. I'm curious as to how/why the Diva Cup eases pain. I'm familiar with the product but have never used it.

Yeah I can't see how the cup would make a difference vs pads at least. I've tried it but never managed to put it in properly, after trying for HOURS.. which was painful to say the least... never again... (my period has always been too heavy to trust tampons).

misskarne

Honestly? I used to curl up in a ball on the couch around a hot water bottle, take Ponstan, and cry.

It wasn't a case of mind over matter for me. I couldn't just "not think about them" and they'd be gone. And exercise? Exercise made it worse. I tried lots of things. I tried swimming (nearly drowned because I was in so much pain), tried walking (nope, death cramps ahoy!), even tried going to the rink skating (that REALLY didn't work). I tried fish oil (nope), I tried regular panadol (and promptly fainted from the pain). I tried doing small movements in my house (nope, death cramps again!). I tried tampons or pads and neither mattered. I was in agony whatever I did.

Birth control pill helped significantly, reducing the cramps from DEATH to "that hurts but I can deal". When I couldn't take that any more (migraine with aura!), I got on the depo shot, and that's been fabulous. No period at all, and no cramps.

slaite1

rjan91 wrote: »

First of all, get your cramps under control. Personally, I use Aleve (naproxen sodium) and ibuprofen. Take something at the first sign of cramps - as this blocks those receptors that get stimulated by hormones that are released and keep taking them for as long as you have cramps. If you wait too long, those receptors are already stimulated and then it is worse. You can also try some over the counter Magnesium as this helps too. Then I would do whatever you feel like doing. For me it might only be walking, or nothing at all.

Yes! I'm not smart enough to explain why, but ibruprofen specifically is supposed to be used for this. There's a protocol where you start taking it about 24 hours before your period (I'm not super consistent so I start taking it when I get mild cramps and a migraine, sure sign I'll get my period the next day) and take it regularly for the first couple of days. I have been doing this for the past 6 months or so and it is incredibly helpful. Your body releases something that ibruprofen actually attaches to or neutralizes and this helps prevent the cramps related to your period (obvious science major, I know).

I still change my exercise for a few days if needed, but I feel a lot better. Also, horrid cramps and a super heavy flow are not normal. I never got this treated until a few years ago. I still have issues, but it's a lot better. A good doctor should have ideas to help you. Your life doesn't have to suck as badly as it does during this time.

Lounmoun

Do what you feel up to doing. I can always walk if nothing else.
If you are not going to exercise that week adjust your calorie intake accordingly.

I did pilates once during my period. My flow and cramping were much worse so I don't do that sort of exercise during my period.

gerla_k

I take Advil and workout as usual.

amyinthetardis1231

I usually have 1-2 days where mine is super heavy and I have intense backaches and cramps. I usually don't go to the gym on those days, because I can't handle heavy squats with heavy flow (yuuuuck), or if I feel super motivated I'll do a lower intensity upper body day. If I can't, I'll switch my workout days around and make it up within the week when my uterus calms its tits and I can resume normal activities. I've regularly had periods so bad I was throwing up the first 2 days, so I have no regrets about taking a day off if I need it.

SafioraLinnea

I'm not supremely savvy in the science behind the diva cup and mechanics of how it reduced pain but it works for me. I've heard mention of counter pressure or some such thing helping to relieve pain. It could be entirely psychosomatic or it could be malarky but if your cramps are so awful you can't function, try it out for several cycles and see if there's a difference. If not - you're out about 40 dollars and you tried something for yourself. If it works, cool.

It does have a bit of a learning curve and took me about three cycles before I could easily and confidently use the cup. If you are grossed out by your body it might not be for you, but the point in trying to make is that it's an option to try.

Tampons not working because your flow is too heavy doesn't even hit the radar for this product. It's a completely different mechanic - the diva cup seals gently against the inside of the vagina and collects the flow. There is nowhere for flow to escape around, and thus "heavy periods" just means you have to empty the cup slightly more often.

Francl27

SafioraLinnea wrote: »

I'm not supremely savvy in the science behind the diva cup and mechanics of how it reduced pain but it works for me. I've heard mention of counter pressure or some such thing helping to relieve pain. It could be entirely psychosomatic or it could be malarky but if your cramps are so awful you can't function, try it out for several cycles and see if there's a difference. If not - you're out about 40 dollars and you tried something for yourself. If it works, cool.

It does have a bit of a learning curve and took me about three cycles before I could easily and confidently use the cup. If you are grossed out by your body it might not be for you, but the point in trying to make is that it's an option to try.

Tampons not working because your flow is too heavy doesn't even hit the radar for this product. It's a completely different mechanic - the diva cup seals gently against the inside of the vagina and collects the flow. There is nowhere for flow to escape around, and thus "heavy periods" just means you have to empty the cup slightly more often.

I never said that, just that the diva cup didn't work for me because I just couldn't put it in properly (I'm too narrow I guess?). It never opened up.

WendyLeigh1119

Francl27 wrote: »

SafioraLinnea wrote: »

I'm not supremely savvy in the science behind the diva cup and mechanics of how it reduced pain but it works for me. I've heard mention of counter pressure or some such thing helping to relieve pain. It could be entirely psychosomatic or it could be malarky but if your cramps are so awful you can't function, try it out for several cycles and see if there's a difference. If not - you're out about 40 dollars and you tried something for yourself. If it works, cool.

It does have a bit of a learning curve and took me about three cycles before I could easily and confidently use the cup. If you are grossed out by your body it might not be for you, but the point in trying to make is that it's an option to try.

Tampons not working because your flow is too heavy doesn't even hit the radar for this product. It's a completely different mechanic - the diva cup seals gently against the inside of the vagina and collects the flow. There is nowhere for flow to escape around, and thus "heavy periods" just means you have to empty the cup slightly more often.

I never said that, just that the diva cup didn't work for me because I just couldn't put it in properly (I'm too narrow I guess?). It never opened up.

Try a different brand. I use cups daily (because I don't get periods anymore but I spot randomly) and I've never gone back. The Diva cup is one of the "hardest" (as in flexibility) and it didn't maneuver for me, either. Also ignore the size suggestions.

I use the Blossom Cup (available on Amazon for about $20) and love them. I have small and large, but small works best for me. They're softer and more springy and I find them easier to use. When you fold and insert, you want to get a finger around the outer diameter and spin it slowly. Then pull down just a light tug. You'll feel it pop open. The size Large is what they always recommend for women who have had kids and women over 30, but you may need a small and that's it. If you have a high cervix, push it higher and use the smaller ones (that's me), if you're low...they go more where those weird diagrams show them ending up.

I wear my Small daily and it's quite comfortable. The Large, I use as back up. I'd say try the Blossom Cup because the price is reasonable, but there are great articles on the various cups and who they may be best for, so maybe google other brands, too. But god....the convenience is awesome. Don't give up just yet.

TheJourneyToFabulous

PaulaWallaDingDong wrote: »

My high school gym teacher always told me to work through the cramps. Anyway, I flunked two years of gym and had to make them up in summer school. Whoda thunk it?

Mines told me this as well but when I was at school I used to faint along with the cramps

philyflyazz

I don't experience cramps but my periods are heavy and lasts 3weeks my advice is if your not in pain throw on an overnight maxi pad and Hit that trail!