Women - exercising during that time of the month?

Francl27
Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Do you do it? How do you get comfortable?

I'm the painful cramps / 2 maxi pads and still leaks through kind of person. I cramp for 3 days around ovulation and 5 days around AF. Every single time around that time, I start cramping 20 minutes into my workout. Yesterday I stopped to take an ibuprofen and it wasn't too bad so I kept going, today is day 1 so I took some ibuprofen one hour beforehand, and still managed to start cramping (bad ones) after 20 minutes. I had to stop. Now after a shower it's slightly better.

It's so frustrating! I thought exercise was good for pain. I've been working out pretty much every day (minus 2) for 30-45 minutes for 5 weeks now. Surely my body would be used to it by now? Today was my day 'off' anyway so it wasn't a big deal, but I don't want to go through the same thing for the next 2 days again. Last month wasn't too bad but I had to stop early a couple times too because of cramps.

How does it work for you?
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Replies

  • TainaLeirmoe10
    TainaLeirmoe10 Posts: 41 Member
    I don't really have that problem, but you should try eating a banana. Potassium will go a lot further than ibuprofen. Eat it about half hour before you start, then you will be good to go!
  • TainaLeirmoe10
    TainaLeirmoe10 Posts: 41 Member
    Another thing you might want to consider is getting on birth control. Bc helps make that time of the month less painful
  • coffeecoco83
    coffeecoco83 Posts: 2
    That used to happen to me too, Francl27, and I always heard the same thing - that exercise was supposed to relieve some of the pain and tension associated with cramps! My cramps were too bad, and flow was too heavy that I had to ask my OB/GYN for a solution. He eventually put me on Depo-Provera; no more cramps, no more period... I know this isn't a solution for every woman, but maybe you can speak to your OB/GYN about solutions for making your TTOM more bearable. Good luck!
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I had bc years ago but I have cholesterol issues and it made it way worse... so trying to stay away from them. Sadly, lol.

    I'll keep the banana in mind though!
  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
    If you're getting cramps at regular intervals - you said monthly - you should look into what you are eating or what exercises you do before you get those cramps. I think the suggestion of birth control is a little inappropriate for an exercise-related issue and that's not withstanding the moral issues.
    With love,
    Burt
  • MeeshyBW
    MeeshyBW Posts: 382 Member
    *hugs* Honey I feel for you. I get cramps for a day or two that are debilitating so I just don't do anything if I don't feel up to it.

    Have you spoken to your GP about this. Sometimes the contraceptive pill can be helpful to those with painful periods. I do not use this as I am married and do not like the idea of tablets messing with my hormones but I can recommend some natural alternatives. Starflower Oil is very good for PMS and much better than Evening Primrose Oil, Also Magnesium Citrate with B6 if you can get it. Magnesium ielps muscles to relax and can also help you sleep.

    I found some information here about Magnesium if you would like to check out my recommendations:

    http://www.doctoryourself.com/pms.html

    :) xox
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    No problem for me. I still run. I still Zumba. I still do whatever workout I have planned. If I need a painkiller I take one & get on with it. No problem. I guess I'm built tough.
  • AllTehBeers
    AllTehBeers Posts: 5,030 Member
    I don't. Two or three days isn't making or breaking my goals. It's also nice to have a few rest days.
  • monicamaz
    monicamaz Posts: 33 Member
    My advice would be drink a lot of water and take advils (and eating a banana is a good idea too)! I also get those painful cramps, but I still do at least 30-45 minutes of workout and I feel better afterwards. Hope this helps! :)
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    If you're getting cramps at regular intervals - you said monthly - you should look into what you are eating or what exercises you do before you get those cramps. I think the suggestion of birth control is a little inappropriate for an exercise-related issue and that's not withstanding the moral issues.
    With love,
    Burt

    :noway: Really? :noway: :huh:
  • serenapitala
    serenapitala Posts: 441 Member
    Honesty, I just push through. I'm like you. I have major cramps to the point where I throw up sometimes. I couldn't really take a whole week off every month, so I take a midol and suffer through it. It can help the pain, but not always. Some of us are just unlucky with this.
    I feel your pain :cry:
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    I don't suffer too badly so I can exercise as usual and kick mother nature in the butt.

    However I know some people that take Apple Cider Vinegar to help relieve menstrual symptoms. It can help relieve cramping, PMS and bloating, which may well all be due to it being a good source of potassium.

    http://naturalnutritionnews.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/problems-with-pms-and-menstrual-cramps-try-apple-cider-vinegar/
  • serenapitala
    serenapitala Posts: 441 Member
    If you're getting cramps at regular intervals - you said monthly - you should look into what you are eating or what exercises you do before you get those cramps. I think the suggestion of birth control is a little inappropriate for an exercise-related issue and that's not withstanding the moral issues.
    With love,
    Burt

    Epic troll
  • stephdeeable
    stephdeeable Posts: 1,407 Member
    My pic wouldn't work. Ignore this.
  • MeeshyBW
    MeeshyBW Posts: 382 Member
    I would also like to say that your diet can seriously affect your periods and how heavy they are. Refined sugars make my PMS a lot worse!
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    If you're getting cramps at regular intervals - you said monthly - you should look into what you are eating or what exercises you do before you get those cramps. I think the suggestion of birth control is a little inappropriate for an exercise-related issue and that's not withstanding the moral issues.
    With love,
    Burt

    :laugh: Don't mind him, he's just being silly.

    I do not exercise on my period. I can barely walk on my period. Take the rest and don't hurt yourself further, if that's what you need.
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    I think the suggestion of birth control is a little inappropriate for an exercise-related issue and that's not withstanding the moral issues.
    With love,
    Burt

    With all due respect, this is a medical issue, not just an exercise related issue. Birth control pills are used for treating a variety of painful conditions of the female reproductive system, including painful periods. Many women take the pill for hormonal regulation, not birth control.

    @OP Grand plies always worked for me, before my doctor prescribed something, because I suffer from a painful condition of the female reproductive system, of which painful periods were a symptom. But that's no guarantee that they'll work for you.
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    Just suck it up and do it!

    I found exercising before, during and after my period actually reduced cramping, even reduced the amount of days that I would have my period. Nothing better than going from 5 days to 3 days.
  • sblake204
    sblake204 Posts: 458 Member
    I work out during TOM all the time. I've read, and not on the internet, that crunches are actually good for cramps. I don't cramp much to say whether or not it works. I would definitely say continue your goals regardless. if it's too much, then stop. Maybe during your menstrual lift light and do cardio that isn't too strenuous. Remeber that lifting heavy will increase blood flow, so take it easy on those days.
  • junejadesky
    junejadesky Posts: 524 Member
    Walking is the best thing to relieve cramping. Maybe just walk more??

    I don't take days off for my time of the month... only from swimming during that week though.... :wink:
  • tinak33
    tinak33 Posts: 9,883 Member
    I actually went on birth control specifically because of very heavy and very painful periods....

    My first period on the pill was amazing. hahaha I swore it was the greatest invention of mankind. :laugh: I was so happy!
    My cramps used to be so bad that I would crumple to the floor in the middle of a hot shower (which usually helps) because I couldn't stand up any longer. I would be curled up in a ball for 10 minutes unable to move.
    Now they are light and practically pain free.

    Talk to your ob/gyn about it. Birth control isn't for everyone, but it definitely helped me!

    A friend of mine also had issues with periods but bc gave her migraines. She did some research for more healthy remedies. She takes a lot of different vitamins and is feeling better now.
  • toaster6
    toaster6 Posts: 703 Member
    I second the potassium suggestion. You can also take potassium supplements-- I use one called Stim O Stam whenever I get muscle cramps.
  • nikb1983
    nikb1983 Posts: 44 Member
    I was wondering about this too...haven't seen TOM since I started working out (of course its due to come this weekend, when I'll be on a trip to visit the in-laws...ugh) I'm really hoping that being more active will reduce my cramping... I never had bad cramps before having my baby, and it's been lasting a couple days longer.
  • jlapey
    jlapey Posts: 1,850 Member
    You should probably talk to your gynecologist. I suffered for years with horrible, debilitating cramps. Found out I had uterine fibroids. NOT FUN! It got so bad, I had to have a hysterectomy. I don't want to scare you, but your periods shouldn't be that uncomfortable. If you get it checked out NOW, it may be fixable without surgery. And yes, exercise should be helping you, not making it worse. Take care of your body.

    In the meantime, ThermaCare heating pads are fabulous. Top that with about 3-4 Naproxen Sodium tablets (Alleve).
  • musycnlyrics
    musycnlyrics Posts: 323 Member
    Lots of women turn to BC for period relief. If you don't mind the hormones and are not actively trying to conceive, not a big issue. If you mind the hormones or dont like the idea of birth control, then dont do it. Simple. It's a personal decision, but it DOES help with the period hell that plagues us every month and I don't see any issue with women suggesting it as it does work for most...

    Not that we got that out of the way, I have those killer cramps too. I actually have them right now and it feels like Mike Tyson is having a training session in my pelvis! (blech) I usually do yoga-like exercises, stretches and light cardio on period days 1-2. Mine, thankfully, only last 3 days and the cramps only last the first 2.

    If I'm scheduled for a heavy cardio session, I take Aleve about 30 minutes before (gel tabs), stretch my pelvis area (hip rolls, deep squat) TMI ALERT pop in a tampon, layer my pads TMI OVER and work out. After the workout, I add banana to my protein shake and make sure to stretch again.

    Besides the physical pain, my period gives me the blues, so I will have cinnamon tea or cranberry-orange tea as a "pick me up"

    If all else fails, just plan for your days 1-2 to be days off of heavy workouts. Do armwork or easy walking or something like that...
    hope this helps!
  • Pixi_Rex
    Pixi_Rex Posts: 1,676 Member
    I get possibly the worst cramps ever. I carry a heating pad with me to work, I take NSAIDS, I cry and want to curl up into a ball and die. I have found that actually working out alleviates all or most of the pain - and it stays away for a few hours after I am done. I just do it. I suck it up, and go.

    The work outs are never as good as when I don't feel like crap but its still a work out and I still feel better when I am done. So I will say this not in a mean way but just pull up the big girl panties and go - If you have to do a tampon, and 2 pads, or take a break half way though to change it do so but honest just work out - even if its a brisk walk or something. you will feel better.
  • glovepuppet
    glovepuppet Posts: 1,710 Member
    birth control messes me up and doesn't make my periods that much better, so i get mefenamic acid & tranexamic prescribed.
    they seem to fix pretty much everything!

    there are lots of options to try if you have an understanding doc.
    and if your doc isn't understanding, get a new one!
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    I always exercise during TOM even if it's just something light. I find it helps. NOw that I am on BC the pain isn't nearly as bad.... there are tons of options out there so it's something for you and your doctor to look into. I know you mentioned medical issues however there are a lot of BC options out there that one may work for you.

    When I wasn't on BC I got terrible cramps and pain. It was brutal and was so bad I could barely move for a few days each month while crying in pain. What helped was at the first bit of pain I took Advil. I would have to take it daily for two to three days but it made things so much better! If I caught it early enough I barely noticed the pain as long as I kept up with the Advil. I don't take medication often so taking Advil for a few days a month was ok for me.

    Try taking Advil (or whatever meds work best for you.. I find the liquid Advil pills or the generic version worked really well!) when you first start to feel the pain. Than try just doing something light like going for a walk, using a stationary bike, etc. If the pain is bad and heat helps you can buy little things (kind of like huge stickers) that you place on the outside of your underwear and it heats up from the air. They last for 8 hours.... wonderful little things! They help with bad cramps. I had some made by Playtex... I'm sure there are other brands out there.

    Those who mentioned potassium are onto something as well. Eat a few bananas a day and that should help as well.
  • musycnlyrics
    musycnlyrics Posts: 323 Member
    If you're getting cramps at regular intervals - you said monthly - you should look into what you are eating or what exercises you do before you get those cramps. I think the suggestion of birth control is a little inappropriate for an exercise-related issue and that's not withstanding the moral issues.
    With love,
    Burt

    Epic troll

    THAT MADE ME LOL :laugh:
  • demorelli
    demorelli Posts: 508 Member
    Add a couple extra cups of water and lower your caffeine intake when you start (or a couple days before you start cramping if you're regular enough to predict that). I used to get major cramps and my boobs would swell for like a week and be unbearably sore. Since I started tracking my water intake both have been greatly reduced. Also, when cramps do happen, try a pinch of cayenne pepper under your tongue. the capsaicen in the pepper will slightly dialate your blood vessels and allow blood to travel more freely - menstrual cramps are caused by blood clots. That's also why heat pads work (or a bag of rice microwaved for 30 seconds).

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