Exercise when you have your period

rubygarcia86

im on it this week and better believe i worked out. I heard it actually helps with cramps and pain. i tend to have lower back pain and i find that if i do work out a bit that its going to help me.

dad106

Perhaps you should speak with your healthcare provider about the symptoms you are having.

While I agree it's always worth getting things checked out, I don't think her symptoms are in any way out of the ordinary. Most people feel pretty grotty on their period, I know people who faint, throw up, all sorts of things. Period pains can be very severe if that's the way you are.

It may be "Just the way you are" but it doesn't have to be.

I found that out the hard way after starting B/C. I didn't have to suffer through debilitating cramps, nausea and extreme fatigue, when there was a pill I could pop and be fixed.

For the people saying push through:
Until you've been there, there is no way I was ever pushing through. When cramps are starting in my stomach, wrapping around to my lower back and down into my tailbone, the last thing I want to do is exercise... let alone move.

pixiexxgirl

Swim!
Swimming is great, burns calories and HELPS with the pain of cramps!

ajb108

This may have already been said, but for me it helps to exercise just before the cramps come, if you can anticipate their arrival. This was always hard for me, as my periods have always been irregular, but when I was lucky enough to have done some sort of physical activity before it started, the cramps weren't nearly as bad. This really only works if cramps are your problem though; it doesn't help with bloating or crabbiness.

pdworkman

See whether hot baths work for you or not. For me, heating pad or hot bath would cause the inflamed tissues to swell even more, making me very sore to the touch, with a huge belly and so much swelling that I could hardly breathe, and anything I ate caused reflux. I had to stay away from any heat. Cold pack worked better.

Pam

If you get it as bad as I do (I think I'm an extreme case) then take plenty of hot baths, vitamins, eat well, try stretching instead of working out and just relax. It also helps to see a doctor if you can't function at all like me.

jakki_brown

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 don't think this in neccessary. I know the variance in discomfort during a woman's menstural cycle. I, myself, have experencied different levels of pain. Some months I can hardly stand to be awake, while others are nothing more than one day of cramping.

You shouldn't call people lazy if you have no clue what they are going through. Your experience might just be "a little annoyance", but some other women's are a lot more than that.

If you speak to a doctor, yes they will say that exercise has the potential to make you feel better because the extra blood flow can soothe the tightened muscles (as can hot water). But if you are in an excessive amount of pain it will only reduce (if that) the discomfort. Some women may find it impossible to get to moving due to how tense their musles are.

pdworkman

BTW, for folks with really bad depression during TOM, consider any over-the-counter meds you are using. The few times that I used Midol or that type of product, it made my depression ten times worse. It was awful. I absolutely cannot take Midol, it affects my mood too much. I can only take plain ibuprofen or naproxen. If you are someone with bad cramps, take a dose immediately at the first sign of your period, and keep taking it every 4-6 hours, whether you have cramps yet or not. If you wait until you are writhing in pain, the meds will not help a bit. Take them before. And of course not on an empty stomach.

Pam

jakki_brown

This may have already been said, but for me it helps to exercise just before the cramps come, if you can anticipate their arrival. This was always hard for me, as my periods have always been irregular, but when I was lucky enough to have done some sort of physical activity before it started, the cramps weren't nearly as bad. This really only works if cramps are your problem though; it doesn't help with bloating or crabbiness.

I'm going to have to try this! I, too, suffer from irregular periods from time to time due to the stress of a job and school.

sillygoose1977

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 don't think this in neccessary. I know the variance in discomfort during a woman's menstural cycle. I, myself, have experencied different levels of pain. Some months I can hardly stand to be awake, while others are nothing more than one day of cramping.

You shouldn't call people lazy if you have no clue what they are going through. Your experience might just be "a little annoyance", but some other women's are a lot more than that.

If you speak to a doctor, yes they will say that exercise has the potential to make you feel better because the extra blood flow can soothe the tightened muscles (as can hot water). But if you are in an excessive amount of pain it will only reduce (if that) the discomfort. Some women may find it impossible to get to moving due to how tense their musles are.

I'm trying to find where I even implied that anyone was lazy...

I do apologize if my post came off as harsh but tough love works for me. Not so much for others. If I truly couldn't function in my daily life, I would be consulting my doctor, not a website forum. This is why I rarely ever post advice.

gtwin

I sooooooooooooooooo wish I could have an easy period like some of you ladies. When advil, pain killers, morphine, BC pills, and a heating pad don't help....I'm sure going to the gym and pounding out 20 squats and running 4 miles won't either.


I've been to the Dr. for my symptoms and they've all said I just have to deal with it, nothing is wrong and that it's normal. Yeah ok.....

And working out on my period only aggravates my symptoms, leaving me walking out of the gym in terrible pain that I can hardly walk. So no, never again.

mariodispenza

I'm a man, so I'll assume that I'll have daggers thrown at me and just deal with it. But, as an objective observer, it seems to me that there has to be a significant portion of attitude and environment involved. If not, women's college sports teams all across the country would never get anywhere. A significant portion of the military would be indisposed a good part of the time, too.

I think that no matter who you are, if you've been in an environment where you learned to "suck it up" no matter what, it's what you learn to do. Conversely, if you've been in an environment where you can make excuses for yourself, it's what you do.

Watch "Making Marines." In week one, half those kids are crying because they've never been talked to, berated, stressed like that in their lives. By week 10, they'e shrugging it off and confident because they learn that when you think you've done all you can, you're almost always wrong. You can do anything.

dargytaylor

I know for me, I tend to use it as an excuse......Not saying others do this, but I know I do.

I feel like I am in labor my cramps are so bad.....and sorry, I know TMI, but a super plus, plus a pad and I may have to change both every hour for the first day......so gross.

But, like I said that is for only a day, usually the second day is bad too, but not quite that bad.....by day 3 it is definatley tolerable, but again, I use it as an excuse. LAME!! lame for me that is

KimmieBrie

I'm a man, so I'll assume that I'll have daggers thrown at me and just deal with it. But, as an objective observer, it seems to me that there has to be a significant portion of attitude and environment involved. If not, women's college sports teams all across the country would never get anywhere. A significant portion of the military would be indisposed a good part of the time, too.

I think that no matter who you are, if you've been in an environment where you learned to "suck it up" no matter what, it's what you learn to do. Conversely, if you've been in an environment where you can make excuses for yourself, it's what you do.

Watch "Making Marines." In week one, half those kids are crying because they've never been talked to, berated, stressed like that in their lives. By week 10, they'e shrugging it off and confident because they learn that when you think you've done all you can, you're almost always wrong. You can do anything.

Everyone is different. I get sick if I physically exert myself during this time - like vomit. Been that way since my preteens. Yes I could suck it up and vomit a few days once a month OR I could do lighter exercise like walk instead of run and lighter strength training during these days. I choose the latter. And there isn't anything wrong with me. That's just how my body responds and always has.

Kirkajuice

I'm a man, so I'll assume that I'll have daggers thrown at me and just deal with it. But, as an objective observer, it seems to me that there has to be a significant portion of attitude and environment involved. If not, women's college sports teams all across the country would never get anywhere. A significant portion of the military would be indisposed a good part of the time, too.

I think that no matter who you are, if you've been in an environment where you learned to "suck it up" no matter what, it's what you learn to do. Conversely, if you've been in an environment where you can make excuses for yourself, it's what you do.

Or could be that people who are that debilitated each month don't sign up for any of that. I have not signed up for any sports teams because I would not be able to compete. My home environment was a "suck it up" environment when my mum married a useless waste of oxygen (married to a lovely man now thankfully) and he constantly screamed that I was faking, dragged me out of bed, threw my hot water bottle away, hid the painkillers, etc. If anybody should have learnt to pretend there was nothing happening it was me, if only so I could take the painkillers since they were not hidden normally, I'd end up hunched over and almost crawling to the kitchen to get them. It just hurts so badly that there's nothing I can do, I can barely speak without grimacing when it gets bad, it's like I've been repeatedly kicked in my stomach and lower back and the pain is the immediate after effect of that only it doesn't lessen. The combination of cramps in both stomach and back combine to force my GI tract to get rid of everything from both sides and I spend a lot of time either in the bathroom or carrying a bucket around and brushing my teeth.

I've been to the doctor, like other people have said. I don't have anything wrong with me, hormones normal, no cysts, system looks normal on an ultrasound, not tilted. If they can't find anything wrong, there's nothing they can do for me really.

I'm not throwing daggers at you, I know that it's physically impossible for you to know what periods can be like and that's really lucky for you :laugh: Some people just have really sucky cycles while others are lucky and barely feel a thing.

TayaKrasikova

Just for general knowledge. a lot of the ladies out there who are practicing sports at a highly competitive levels ( Including myself at a point in my life) they dont have their period. When you have no body fat you dont really have your period( look at gymnasts)

LA723

Like someone else said, it's not just the cramping or headaches, it could be an issue with a very heavy flow. I do go to the gym during my TOM however if I feel the flow is heavy enough that it could result in leaking, I won't risk that embarrassment. No need for a repeat of an embarrassing high school memory! :bigsmile: :blushing:

jigglypuff

Mariodispenza, many of those sports players and women that get stuff done no matter what, have access to many medical solutions for their problems. My doctor and I are currently working together on figuring out a birth control that can help me. You have no idea what it's been like for me or women like me. So please, keep ignorant comments to yourself. Unless you've walked a mile in an other person's shoes, you have no clue. You can assume all you want but truth is, that is your reality, not ours. It would also help for some people such as yourself here to learn a little thing called Empathy. You wouldn't want to end up with something debilitating and have someone tell you to simply "Suck it up". People like that need to stfu.

FitLink

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.

In fairness, some women have what is considerably more than "a little annoyance" monthly and it's pretty obnoxious to suggest someone in severe pain "suck it up." Exercise may or may not help, it really depends, and women whose menstrual pain is severe should work with their gynecologists to ease that pain as much as possible. I always know when someone starts a comment with "I'm not trying to be mean" or "I don't mean to offend you" they're about to be mean and/or offensive.

Lucky for you your periods are merely " a little annoyance!" Be appropriately thankful, and understand it's not universally the case.

callherbeautyxo

Do situps and crunches help stop bloading?

jadedone

I used to have no problem periods. No pain. Nothing. They were a little long but nothing serious. In the past 2 years my periods have gradually turned evil. Ridiculously heavy. So much so, that it feels like I need to run to the restroom and change my protection every hour. At the beginning I'd have one day like that, but in recent months one day turned into 5-8 of them and a 2 week period in November. One of the impetuses for my weight loss was to get my period back on track, it was debilitating to not be able to be far from the bathroom all day.

I got on the pill, and I am 6 weeks in. The first period on was the heavy side, but much more tolerable. I only had 2 evil days, and the rest were do able. I was able to be fairly active.

My sister has horrible periods with nausea, cramping and exhaustion. The only thinkg that keeps her from being out of commission every month is going on the pill.

I know it seems horrible, but exercise, even light exercise helps. There are also some period friendly yoga poses, but I forgot which ones.

salevine12

Maybe try just scaling back your exercise plan that week. Instead of running, just walk. You'll be amazed how much better you'll feel if you make yourself get up and move around some. Also, 12-hour Aleve is my miracle drug.

MartaKwiatek

I, too, have very bad periods, but do my best to get to the gym. If I am in so much pain I actually would try Bikram Yoga (hot yoga) or something completely different to keep me moving to get my mind off of it and focus on something new.

Rhea30

For those who say to just 'suck it up" (I posted on here but don't see it so some of this might be a touch repetitive if it does pop up). When it comes to pain its based of from individuals more then just an excuses. One of my friends who was athletic and was in track and field would get pains so bad she did have to stay home and she had the 'suck it' attitude. Myself use to get them bad off and on until my D&C, the pain one time got so bad I was barely able to walk (no way could I had exercise even if I wanted too or tried to make myself, the pain was down my back and legs and I could barely move). While I have one friend who never had a cramp before. I understand that many people and even other women won't understand since many times all we got are our own experiences to go off so can only think "well, I get it and got through it, why can't she?" but the pain is different for everyone.

Okay, done ranting now on to advice! If its horrible pain stopping you then try to find something over the counter that'll help the pain or talk with your doc about managing it. If you have an idea how long the pain last (is it normally just one day or not, or at intervals) try to get your work out around that, like if you know the first day of your period wont be so bad then work out. If its just the awful tired bloaty feeling then try to push through a work out but a lower intensity one and take something like Midol that has a diuretic in it which will help relieve some of that.

Bombbombgo

I go to the gym anyway and just have an "easy on myself" attitude those days... Ie the plan is 20 minutes of easy cardio. Even if ALL I do is that, it's still 20 minutes more then the NOTHING I feel like doing. And it keeps your momentum up through the week. Inevtably thougj, I start feeling better about 15 mins into the workout and end up being able to actually do a normal workout. Hope this helps!

determinedbutlazy

I only have one day out of the four "on" that it's like the goddamn Shining, so I go to the gym on the other three days.
Yes it's painful, but drinking loads of water helps, as do the endorphins released during exercise.
Plus, if my legs/arms hurt, I forget about how much my womb hurts

courtneyrae427

When you exercise on your period, you release endorphin's, which help you feel good about yourself. And I don't know if you're anything like me, but I feel down and depressed when I'm on mine. I know it sucks, but you'll appreciate it a lot more, especially since you'll keep your rhythm going. Just try to keep yourself motivated, give yourself small incentives to make that week a little more bearable.

kbw414

I say talk to your doc about how you are feeling and see what she says.. Period's should be bad but not debilitating as I found out.

Yes, this is true. I used to be in terrible pain and then had laparascopy for endometriosis. I'm nearly pain-free now. This is how I know that periods shouldn't be hardly painful at all. If everything is right with you and you are endometriosis-free, you shouldn't be laid up in bed or skipping out on activities you'd ordinarily do.

Hungry_Tuna

Just got mine today, still went to the gym. Cramps and everything.

Mind
over
Matter.

stablesong

I take an extra rest day or two that week. I have really bad fatigue. With my last period, last week, I checked out of school and went to the gym hoping it would make me feel better (and I wanted to go home and sleep) and after just a few minutes, the fatigue hit me like a tidal wave and I thought I was going to pass out or fall off the elliptical. i managed to work out a few times, but I took it easy.

Next time, I'll try to do less beast moding and more light exercise and activity and just keep moving instead of trying to work out and then just sleeping forever.

kbw414

I sooooooooooooooooo wish I could have an easy period like some of you ladies. When advil, pain killers, morphine, BC pills, and a heating pad don't help....I'm sure going to the gym and pounding out 20 squats and running 4 miles won't either.


I've been to the Dr. for my symptoms and they've all said I just have to deal with it, nothing is wrong and that it's normal. Yeah ok.....

And working out on my period only aggravates my symptoms, leaving me walking out of the gym in terrible pain that I can hardly walk. So no, never again.

Isn't it maddening how doctors don't listen to their patients? I had endometriosis, and your symptoms sound like mine did. I would seek out a different doctor. Exploratory laparascopy was scary, but it worked for me!