LADIES ONLY: Embarrassing Questions

xaMErica

My embarrassing question is: How do you 'control' your period on heavy flow days/ bad cramp days. I tried today.. but I just was too uncomfortable.. I mean, when working out. I really want to stay on track and not have to 'sit out' because of my period.

So please ladies, help me feel less awkward by asking some of your embarrassing questions and hopefully we will get some answers

Thanks!!

Also, feel free to add me

labrennan

Honestly, if I am feeling that bad, I listen to my body and just take the day or two of rest...or I take some ibuprofen and just do a light workout like walking

hinurd

I have this bear that has aroma therapy beads inside it and you put it in the microwave and it soothes the cramping pain! I'll take it to bed at night and lie it where the cramps are or even at the bottom of my back when its sore... that along with some ibuprofen really helps me! I don't think they are expensive at all

stephaniemejia1671

I hobble to the gym and wear my bf's sweats and shirt to workout, since I get so bloated it's crazy. I feel the need to sweat it out, and then I try my best to crunch it out as well. It also keeps my mind off the pain of my cramps and focuses on another type of good pain, the burn of the ab work.

greypilgrimess

On that first day, it's load up with Ibuprofen and curl up with a hot water bottle. No working out for me on those days. I like to do a bigger workout the following day though when the pains have gone.

avababy05

I have more endurance the first day but less strength.I usually just go for a long walk.I find it helps the cramps.

On,the other hand there are days I just want to lie down with a hot water bottle.

pastryari

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/891710-ladies-wokring-out-at-your-tom?hl=tom&page=3#posts-13502772

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/900748-that-tom-women-only?hl=tom#posts-13636624

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/896925-pms-tom-help-what-works-for-you?hl=tom#posts-13560454


http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/842310-when-tom-visits?hl=tom#posts-12673566

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/824833-ladies-help-with-tom?hl=tom#posts-12390772

SleepyBunny17

If your cycle is regular try to time your exercise around it. If it's regular most of us can somewhat sense when it's coming. Try and get exercise in before it happens that way if you miss a few days it's not a big deal. When it starts to lighten up start up again. Maybe even try something like yoga to ease back into it. Oh and I second Motrin lol

brendadale1

I reduce my sodium, take an ALEVE and do some light walking:) I love my heating pad, very soothing plus it relieves the pain:)

Crazibaker

I usually stay home on the worst day also - it feels better just to rest

cjh022

On the most horrible days I still force myself to the gym but usually end up slowing it down a lot. I usually can't run more than a minute or two because of the cramps/bloating/ etc, so I just crank up the incline and walk on the treadmill to get the burn instead. I know if I didn't go workout than I would only set myself up for failure when the cravings come and I end up over my calories... I bring my banana and fight thru the pain so I can have my chocolate later! Also, for some reason exercise almost always makes my cramps worse (wayyy worse) but I have found that the banana really helps.

pudadough

I don't workout on my bad days (usually only day 1.) Hell, I work out 6 days a week otherwise. I just give myself a break!


People who say exercise calms bad cramps have honestly never had real, bad, barfing cramps. I 100% believe that.

Ibuprofen and rest, ma dear!

ddeleonm09

This may sound wierd, but on my heavy day I take an ibuprofen, I work out extra hard, and I try to lift heavy. Yes, I'll be tired, but It shortens my period big time! Less miserable days lol.

Rcasas08

They say that excercise eases the pain and bloating that comes with periods. I personally still work out during my period because it helps my cramps but I wait until the 2nd to do so. But everybody is different, do what is more comfortable for you. Do not force yourself to work out, just during those days be very cautious of what you eat since you wont be burning any calories.

xaMErica

Thanks for the feedback!

More embarrassing: What products do you use? I'm the oldest girl in my family.. and my Mom only showed me how to use one product when I first started.. I've stuck with that forever. What brand of tampons do you use? Do they work well.. I'm thinking about making my time of the month my 'rest' week.

Thanks again.. you are all awesome I appreciate the answers!

xaMErica

On the most horrible days I still force myself to the gym but usually end up slowing it down a lot. I usually can't run more than a minute or two because of the cramps/bloating/ etc, so I just crank up the incline and walk on the treadmill to get the burn instead. I know if I didn't go workout than I would only set myself up for failure when the cravings come and I end up over my calories... I bring my banana and fight thru the pain so I can have my chocolate later! Also, for some reason exercise almost always makes my cramps worse (wayyy worse) but I have found that the banana really helps.

That is what I did today.. I walked at a 6% incline for a little while.. I honestly thought I was the only one too, exercise makes mine worse!! o.O I've had people say 'stop being a baby! Exercise will make it stop!'.. So I try... and OW ='( They get worse..

tiffanyheth

Thanks for the feedback!

More embarrassing: What products do you use? I'm the oldest girl in my family.. and my Mom only showed me how to use one product when I first started.. I've stuck with that forever. What brand of tampons do you use? Do they work well.. I'm thinking about making my time of the month my 'rest' week.

Thanks again.. you are all awesome I appreciate the answers!

I've been a long time tampon + pad user because it has been so heavy! However, I recently discovered the Soft Cup, which I pair with a very thin winged pad (Always is the best brand). You can get the Soft Cup at Walmart, typically. I feel so much better using that than tampons. I have an allergy to materials in feminie products and get irritated by pads and tampons.

The Soft Cup is comfy even when working out!

DoriGaga

I get horrible cramps, sometimes so bad I can't even stand up and I just want to cry. I read something a while back that I swear by now, take ibuprofen at the first slight twinge of a cramp, so it kicks in before the cramps get bad... I do that now and I take them every 4 hours for the first day, and then the second day as needed. I never take any painkillers for anything else, so I figure taking them one day a month like that won't do too much damage.

Sometimes I can still feel the cramps when I do that, and I can't even imagine how bad they would be if I didn't pre-emptively take the Advil!

Also I tried these things from the drugstore, they are these self-heating strips that adhere to the inside of the front of your underwear, and stay warm for 8 hours, and sit against your abdomin and they are amazing. The heat dulls the cramps, and also no one can see heating pad through your clothes so no one knows it's there.

tinaferguson40

I useto have the heaviest flow ever. I mean I would seriously soak through a tampon or pad in 30 min: than one day I had blood test for a bunch of stuff and found out it was a vitamin D deficientcy . I started taking 4000 ii and the next period and since have been a lot better even normal The massive cramps I use to get have almost gone away . I wished I had known years ago.

xaMErica

I get horrible cramps, sometimes so bad I can't even stand up and I just want to cry. I read something a while back that I swear by now, take ibuprofen at the first slight twinge of a cramp, so it kicks in before the cramps get bad... I do that now and I take them every 4 hours for the first day, and then the second day as needed. I never take any painkillers for anything else, so I figure taking them one day a month like that won't do too much damage.

Sometimes I can still feel the cramps when I do that, and I can't even imagine how bad they would be if I didn't pre-emptively take the Advil!

Also I tried these things from the drugstore, they are these self-heating strips that adhere to the inside of the front of your underwear, and stay warm for 8 hours, and sit against your abdomin and they are amazing. The heat dulls the cramps, and also no one can see heating pad through your clothes so no one knows it's there.

That seriously sounds like the GREATEST invention ever. I might just have to go find me some!! Thanks!

xaMErica

Thanks for the feedback!

More embarrassing: What products do you use? I'm the oldest girl in my family.. and my Mom only showed me how to use one product when I first started.. I've stuck with that forever. What brand of tampons do you use? Do they work well.. I'm thinking about making my time of the month my 'rest' week.

Thanks again.. you are all awesome I appreciate the answers!

I've been a long time tampon + pad user because it has been so heavy! However, I recently discovered the Soft Cup, which I pair with a very thin winged pad (Always is the best brand). You can get the Soft Cup at Walmart, typically. I feel so much better using that than tampons. I have an allergy to materials in feminie products and get irritated by pads and tampons.

The Soft Cup is comfy even when working out!

I've seen those.. I've always been terrified to try them. Are they messy.. or difficult to switch? The idea sounds perfect for working out though

DonnaNCgirl

deleted...don't have any good advice

NaomiJFoster

The last few years I've discovered that Aleve works much better for me than Advil. I'm not sure why. I don't like it at all for headaches. But for cramps, it really does the job.

I also make sure to increase my fiber intake. The uterus is sandwiched in between the bladder and bowel. Any pressure in either of thsoe organs, will be felt in the uterus too. So, I just try to make sure I'm going to working as well as possible.

The last few years also (it's a menopause thing) I've found that I have to really raise my iron intake on my first two days. I'm now so very heavy on days one and two, that I actually feel weak and dizzy. Iron makes a world of difference.

Products? I used to be Playtex Regular Tampons all the way through. After I hit age 38/39-ish, I had to start using Ultras on the first two days. Now, that just makes the cramps worse. Clots that are not allowed to exit the body HURT! So I have gone back to using pads like a teenager. It's weird. But it feels so much better.

Heating pads are amazing. So is the vibrating chair cushion that my husband has for his bad back. I lay on top of that and turn on the vibration and the heat. It's so good!

Turn the shower on very hot. But lay down in the tub as if you were taking a bath. Aim the shower spray right at your abdomen. It's wonderful.

As for exercise, I usually just walk when I feel like garbage. Or do yoga.

NanaWubbie

Ibuprofen and lots of walking!

Fittreelol

I prefer O.B. tampons. For me they have the best protection because they have individual chambers that expand outward instead of just length wise.

Trechechus

Just do it. The exercise makes it better.

rde8jr

Ice Blue, I don't have this problem anymore but I used to have it for about 2-3 weeks at a time before surgery so I had no choice but to find ways to work with it. I use to buy Ice blue it is sort of like icy hot but not as intense. It relaxes the muscles I would rub it on my lower abs and around the bottom of my back and it worked great. Then not only did you not have as many cramps but the exercise makes you feel better and gives you more energy later in the day. Well worth the couple of bucks and you shower usually after exercise so boom there goes the scent which the Ice blue is no where near as strong as icy hot or any of those ben gay type stuff.

bcattoes

I workout, but just less intensely. Do arms instead of legs (just say no to squats/lunges). Skip jumping, HIIT and ab exercises and instead go for a walk or do some low impact aerbics.

majope

I prefer o.b. tampons. Have used them since I was a teenager and hate it when the store is out and I have to use another brand that doesn't work as well. That said, I know I can't run on my heavy day because I'll still need a pad back up, and I can't run with those. So my heavy day is either a rest day, a gym day, or a very short run day (under 30 minutes). And black tights are essential...

Which reminds me: someday I'd like to track down Nike headquarters, go in, and slap somebody. I have some great tights and capris from them, except they all have WHITE crotch liners. Do they not have a SINGLE woman on staff to tell them this is a bad idea????