Exercise when you have your period

Carrie95128

I actually agree with the post about sucking it up and going to the gym anyway. It sounds harsh, but we're usually the only ones really holding ourselves back from anything. I have large, uterine fibroids that make my life miserable for a full week every month. And, I'm not gonna lie, while I don't binge eat by any means, I do allow myself a few feel good snacks during that week.

BUT, I still get up and go to the gym. And it really does help me feel better. This morning, I felt terrible, but after 10 minutes on the eliptical, I started feeling better and was in a great mood by the time I left the gym. I was able to keep my pace and do 45 minutes on the eliptical.

There's usually one day when the pain is so bad I feel lightheadeded and sometimes I'll take a break on that day. However, I've found I can deal with the pain using over the counter ibuprofen and you have to stay hydrated! Drink lots of water during that week. I also double up and take extra Vitamin D and Super B complex to help with energy and mood swings. It really does work wonders!

This way you won't torture yourself by having to get back into the swing of working out. You can keep your momentum. And the exercise really will help your pain, keep you upbeat and help you get to your goals faster.

Pocket_Pixi

I am really not trying to be mean but suck it up and go to the gym. We are women in the 21st century and we aren't sent to the red tent. It's just a little annoyance once a month. It will actually help you feel better.

I actually agree with this. I get intense cramps during my period and quite honestly getting out of bed and going to work is an aboslute chore, but I do it. If it is HORRIBLE, take something for the cramps and get moving.

Honestly if you get out of bed to go to work... or school or what ever you have to do there is no reason you cannot go for a 30 minute walk. I find the cramps are less when I do work out than they are if I sit on my *kitten*.

AZKristi

I have found that high intensity exercise has pretty much eliminated most of the unwanted symptoms that I used to experience (cramps was the biggest problem for me and they hardly bother me at all). If I stop exercising my cramps are worse.

jjblogs

Try a tablespoon or two of black strap molasses for a month. Seriously helps with the energy level due to the iron content. You may just be lacking iron.

rml_16

If you're having that tough of a time, see your doctor about it. I know a lot of women don't like to take anything with hormones, but I wouldn't be without it! I never got terrible cramps, but I would spend two days feeling like my uterus was falling out and my flow was so heavy I couldn't stand it.

The pill and now Mirena are the best things that ever happened to me!

mkwongh

It sucks, but its a part of life. i am on the pill and I have Endometriosis, so the doctors gave me pills to help ease the pain.. mind you it still sucks, but you have to push yourself to workout, you will feel better after the workout, PLUS since working out my pains have gotten a bit better. ..... good luck ladies.

ps. just remind yourself....HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT... if you really want it, you'll find a way. If you dont, you'll find an excuse!!

candykay0605

I find that I feel much better when I exercise during my period. I hate it before I actually begin - I'm achy, cramping, and have a headache. But once I start, it makes me feel so much better.

I would say that unless you have massive medical issues during your period, you should try to exercise. It won't hurt you, and will probably help.

I agree with this I start hurting every where a week before my period but after i work out that hurt is all but gone!!!!!!!!!!

KeegansMomma

I force myself to do some kind of exercise while on my period. Most of the time it's just walking around the neighborhood or mall. I find that doing so makes me feel better and less crampy. And then I don't feel as guilty when I eat badly all week cause I've given into my cravings. :P

BellydanceBliss

It was so funny to see this post as I have been talking about my agony all day. LOL I have never ever in all my life exercised during my period. This time I just made the decision to do it. After I might be in the fetal position sucking my thumb after under my trust electric blanket but in 30 min im better and I feel better for doing it. I can so relate to this, but even if you are walking to keep your body moving walk.

retm

No. I do know the feeling, but I was a little worst I coldn't even walk without being pain. Cramps started 2 days before the first and lasted 2 days after it stop. Tell your doctor how bad your pain is I know that there is a test your doctor can do because I have had it done just as I was going into menopause

sk2775

Before I started exercising, I used to get very painful periods. Getting out of bed on certain days were hard, but I gradually started losing weight and kept exercising during and it very much helped. Now, my cramps are gone, my period is very regular and I don't get too much issues of blotting that people talk about during this time. I know it is painful, but start slowly. Start by taking small walks...listen to your body...and if you are up to it, then increase the intensity and duration of your workouts during these times. Good luck.

tistal

I have gave birth to a 10lb 5oz baby with NO drugs and let me tell you, that was the most excruciating thing I have ever done. But I was up and walking 10 mins later. I even walked to my room. After having him (5 years ago) my periods have been awful! My best friend during that time is a heating pad. Just like with sore muscles, work through the pain. I swear by Excedrin Menstrual. Has caffeine to help with the headaches!

ANeWcRe8N

Exercise actually helps the cramping so I work out during that time as well. It lightens mine up so thats a + :happy: I might not feel up to it but I do it anyways and feel better afterwards.

BellydanceBliss

Try a tablespoon or two of black strap molasses for a month. Seriously helps with the energy level due to the iron content. You may just be lacking iron.

OMG I feel like such a dumb *kitten*! lol I have done this before I have this in my cupboard works well!

Kirkajuice

I found that stretching really helps, I lay on my stomach and push up with my hands so my entire stomach is stretched. That only helps for stomach pain though, it doesn't help the back pain, vomiting or upset stomach that goes with it! :laugh: Doing the stretches helps me deal with the other horribleness though, so any reduction in pain is good.

One thing that has helped with the pain is using a mooncup, it hurts quite a bit less in my stomach, going from an 8 or 9 out of 10 to a 4 or 5 so that I can actually move. Also it shortened my period by a day so there's less pain time each cycle.

tinamina78

I worked out last week with mine and yes, it was not fun but I DID IT and I lost 4 lbs! I agree with the pp...suck it up and go to the gym. Take some extra calcium and some Advil and do it. Soak in a hot epsom salt bath after and go to bed. You will start to feel better the more you exercise. I'm addicted to it almost it makes me feel so good.

^^^
Precisely! Once you get used to pushing through it, the rewards are great. Best of luck! :flowerforyou:

Khadines

I go during my T.O.M. and I suffer with alot of cramps..... When u keep ur body active the pain goes away.

Kekibird

I'm on the pill to deal with PMDD and the possibility of endometriosis. Before the pill, I was lucky if I got one good week out of a month. Now I get maybe one bad day.

I still try to workout during, even if it's a small walk, just to keep myself in the routine of going.

I still allow myself little sweet treats since I think I deserve A LOT MORE just for dealing with this #*&$ every month.

Quasita

Studies are now showing that women burn more calories during the TOM anyway, so it could very well boost your plan to do it. I think we can all agree that if you are having symptoms that are destroying your life for a few days, you need to go to the doctor. Otherwise, try working out, the worst that can happen is you find out it's not going to work for you, but you won't know unless you try!

dicars79

I am really not trying to be mean but suck it up and go to the gym. We are women in the 21st century and we aren't sent to the red tent. It's just a little annoyance once a month. It will actually help you feel better.

Yep. I agree.

Kekibird

Oh and before, without the pill, working out wasn't an option because the cramps were so severe and I was so heavy (TMI). But that's lessened now.

I literally would jump or turn in zumba and then feel like passing out due to cramps and pain. It's not 100% yet, I still deal with horrible cramps, but I can now manage to make it through even on my period.

juliecarlile

When I first got my periods I was in so much pain and so down and depressed. My mom passed away when I was young and so it was just me and my dad. I didn't feel like I really had any one to talk to about it. Then one day my dad said, "Why don't you try exercising, maybe it will help." I thought he was CRAZY! But I tried it and sure enough it helped my cramps to subside. I don't know if it will be the same for you, but maybe worth a try. Good luck hope you can work through it. I had stomach flu earlier this week and have been way off the bandwagon. Time to get back on today

TourThePast

I just suck it up, take painkillers if I have to and just get on with it, I refuse to be ruled by something so irrelevant.

What I do is to I tell myself firmly that I'm not ill, I'm not injured, so the pain can and should be ignored - and that whether I exercise or not it's going to hurt anyway, so I may as well damn well get on with it.

Besides, exercise often relieves the pain.

sarah_ep

Get over it and go to the gym.

"Exercise and PMS

Regular aerobic exercise can help ease premenstrual symptoms. During the luteal phase of our cycles (i.e., the second half), endorphin levels in the blood and brain drop. Endorphins are opioid (painkilling), euphoria-producing chemicals produced naturally in our brains and released in high quantities during certain activities, such as orgasm. We can also increase our body’s production of endorphins and other natural analgesics by increasing our heart rate and oxygen exchange through regular aerobic exercise. Studies have shown that consistent exercise reduces symptoms of PMS, possibly by boosting levels of dopamine as well as endorphins, and — like natural progesterone — enhancing GABA activity.

Exercise likewise boosts our detoxification capabilities, pumping up the cleansing action of the lymph system and ridding our body of toxins and excess hormones through sweat. In addition, exercise increases our metabolic rate, encouraging the body to burn fat for energy, thereby assisting us to maintain a healthier hormonal balance.

These days, with so many women working sedentary jobs, driving everywhere, and too maxed-out to find time for exercise, it’s easy to overlook the fact that we’re biologically preprogrammed to move our bodies — not just a little, but a lot! Our biochemistry needs activity to stay fit, just like our muscles do."

http://www.womentowomen.com/menstruation/understandingpmsandpmdd.aspx

twogungal

I don't have any solutions, except maybe go and do as much as you're comfortable with. I also have endometriosis that presents as pleuritic pain so just breathing hurts like the ****ens when I'm on my period. I have a heavy flow too. Haven't seen that mentioned in this thread yet, but I have a heavy flow and tampons make my cramps worse. I totally agree that exercise is the best medicine, but its reallllly hard when you feel like you're gonna leak all over the machines at the gym. Best of luck to all my fellow perioders and endometrosis pain sufferers.

jesscaponigro

I usually do yoga if I am crampy or have a headache, otherwise I suck it up and get it done. They say exercising is supposed to help with cramping.

MB_Positif

I played sports in high school and you couldn't skip practice or an event because you had your period, so I just learned to push through it. I always have one day that is intensely awful so I don't usually exercise that day. That said, I always find that when I don't give in to the cravings during my period that I show a good loss after it's over! Good luck!

kayleen_longworth

I found that stretching really helps, I lay on my stomach and push up with my hands so my entire stomach is stretched. That only helps for stomach pain though, it doesn't help the back pain, vomiting or upset stomach that goes with it! :laugh: Doing the stretches helps me deal with the other horribleness though, so any reduction in pain is good.

One thing that has helped with the pain is using a mooncup, it hurts quite a bit less in my stomach, going from an 8 or 9 out of 10 to a 4 or 5 so that I can actually move. Also it shortened my period by a day so there's less pain time each cycle.

"Moon cup" - Yes - so worth it to try it. Anything nonchemical will most likely help to reduce pain and flow. I use cloth pads and don't have any issues. My cramps are half what they used to be, and my flow is so much lighter. Saves money too in the long run. I plan to invest in a Diva Cup soon, as summer is coming and I hope to spend some time in the water.

pdworkman

The only thing that has helped my periods is running. And yes, I have had horrible periods my whole life. The cramps, very heavy bleeding, swelling up so much it hurt to breathe, back and cramps. Could barely walk for three days, and the period would last up to 10. Even codeine didn't touch it the pain. But running has made my periods normal. I can actually go out and do things. I can actually forget that I even have my period. It is incredible!

Pam

TayaKrasikova

Thank you for the advice.
Just a thought like that: maybe not all of us but generally speaking you girls are so tough. How wonderful would be to see guys at the gym with their period working out through the pain and discomfort and sprinting to the bathroom making sure you didn’t stain you pants. hihi
And for the very tough ladies out there. For someone with a six pack not being able to exercise is pretty hard. and walking and jogging just doesn’t fill the empty depressing feeling. Although a big blanket and a hot chocolate does. perhaps ibuprofen sounds like a good Idea thanks for that one.