Running and your cycle (men.. proceed with caution)

Valtishia · May 2013

I am curious if being on your period causes changes in your body that would make it harder to run?

I had my baby almost 7 months ago and started getting my period about 2 months after she was born. I have been getting it multiple times per month and I find it a little harder to run but since it normally only lasts 4-5 days... I often only have 2 runs in there and just push through it. This month however, I have had my period longer (a lot longer) than normal. I had it from the 1-11, off the 12-21, then have been on it again since the 22 and we are the 30... and it hasn't slowed. I have found it increasingly harder to push through my runs most of this month.

I have called my doctor and was advised he can't see me for another month or so since it isn't something urgent. We'll see what happens there though.

bumblebums · May 2013

...

I don't think this is a running problem. I thought this was going to be a question about exercising while you are having your period. What you're talking about is a medical problem, and your doctor sounds kind of irresponsible. I would change your primary care provider (I assume you're in the US; this kind of bullsh*t only happens here). Good luck.

Correction: I see you're NOT in the US. Color me surprised. Can you get to another doctor? And to answer your question, no, I don't think running causes this. But having had a baby might, and it still doesn't sound completely normal to me. Don't ask for help on the internet, you need to see a doctor.

JenMc14 · May 2013

I haven't seemed to have a problem with it, but my periods are nice and regular, and not too heavy. I am pretty peeved, though, that, if all stays regular, I'll be starting on the day of my first 5K (could be before during or after the race, who knows!?!) AND the day of my first 10K. Srsly, life?

It's likely that you're body is still adjusting from pregnancy and childbirth. Are you nursing? Are you on any birth control? Hormonal birth control, if you're not adverse to it, could help regulate things for you. It sucks your doc can't get you in, especially if they're painful. What is it about being on your period that affects your running? Cramps, fatigue?

Valtishia · May 2013

Thanks you for the response but my question wasn't whether running caused my period to be like this... but whether the changes your body goes through while having one makes it harder to run or not. I was just providing background.

To answer your question... I could go see another doctor... but I will tell you the walk in clinics here suck horribly. I even had one tell me I had Bells Palsy before. Its unfortunate, but I would rather wait and have good care, then a fly by night doctor at one of those clinics. No worries though... I am well aware when something isn't right with my body which is why I called to make an appt. If I feel it becomes an emergency, I am not scared to take my butt to the hospital.

...

I don't think this is a running problem. I thought this was going to be a question about exercising while you are having your period. What you're talking about is a medical problem, and your doctor sounds kind of irresponsible. I would change your primary care provider (I assume you're in the US; this kind of bullsh*t only happens here). Good luck.

Correction: I see you're NOT in the US. Color me surprised. Can you get to another doctor? And to answer your question, no, I don't think running causes this. But having had a baby might, and it still doesn't sound completely normal to me. Don't ask for help on the internet, you need to see a doctor.

Valtishia · May 2013

Oh no!! That is a major FML moment lol. I hope your run goes well

No, I only nursed for 4 1/2 months unfortunately, but my period came back long before I stopped nursing. Birth control is a no (especially hormonal) because I have Factor V Leiden (a blood clotting disorder). The periods themselves are not painful.... its just that it almost like my legs can't take it. No issues breathing but my legs are feeling overworked so much quicker. I find myself having to sometimes even walk for 10 seconds to make it stop. I thought maybe the excessive period was the problem since it is the only thing that is different this month.

I haven't seemed to have a problem with it, but my periods are nice and regular, and not too heavy. I am pretty peeved, though, that, if all stays regular, I'll be starting on the day of my first 5K (could be before during or after the race, who knows!?!) AND the day of my first 10K. Srsly, life?

It's likely that you're body is still adjusting from pregnancy and childbirth. Are you nursing? Are you on any birth control? Hormonal birth control, if you're not adverse to it, could help regulate things for you. It sucks your doc can't get you in, especially if they're painful. What is it about being on your period that affects your running? Cramps, fatigue?

mnstrpc · May 2013

Time of the month / my cycles don't seem to impact my running performance significantly. If anything, and this is sort of odd, but I almost feel I've noticed I'm faster the day right before my period starts. I should note that my cycles are not particularly regular; I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and am very slightly hypothyroid, which causes my cycles to vary pretty widely.

However, I tend to agree with the poster who suggested this is more of a wholesale medical issue. There are MANY reasons why your cycles could be thrown off - anything from just haywire hormones following pregnancy (even 7 months out) to something to do with your clotting disorder, to PCOS, to thyroid, to other endocrine issues, etc. And any one of those things could also impact your overall physical fitness and running performance (particularly thyroid issues). I think what you are experiencing here is another symptom, rather than a cause/effect relationship. I hope you can get in to see a doctor soon!

stealthq · May 2013

Since you're having it more frequently and for longer, my first thought would be that you might be anemic. That would affect your running performance. Try eating foods with more iron in them and see if that helps, while you're waiting for your appointment.

Quest529 · May 2013

Maybe try taking an iron supplement?

ChangingAmanda · May 2013

The longer, more frequent and heavier periods are going to affect your blood levels which will impact your endurance. I had very heavy periods due to a large uterine fibroid and was slightly anemic. I found myself more fatigued during my period before I had surgery to remove the fibroid.

Since this could be medically related, I urge against making any changes to your diet and suppliments until you see the doctor and have tests run.

Valtishia · May 2013

Thats one of things I was thinking. I figure at worst, even if its just my body working out the baby I had 7 months ago, I probably need a temporary supplement. I just called the doctors office again and pushed to talk with the doctor to see if I could get in earlier. She is going to have him call me in the morning when he is back in.

Since you're having it more frequently and for longer, my first thought would be that you might be anemic. That would affect your running performance. Try eating foods with more iron in them and see if that helps, while you're waiting for your appointment.

Valtishia · June 2013

Well.. I still never got to see my doctor. And despite several calls to his office, he doesn't return my calls... or it seems my husbands in the last couple weeks for his issues. Looks like time for a new doctor.

I am pretty sure I figured it out though. I just learned about my blood disorder approx a year ago while I was pregnant. Not once did any doctor, my GP, my OBGYN or the doctor from the thrombosis clinic, ever tell me I should be watching my vitamin K. It has to be on the lower side or at the very least controlled with this disorder. I had recently switched off of my prenatal vitamin since it had been a couple months since I stopped breastfeeding, and started taking a regular multivitamin. After reading up on it, I checked and there it was... a nice high dose of vitamin K. I immediately stopped taking it that day and found one without it. Its only been about a week, but the bleeding started to slow after the first day and slowly came to a stop days afterwards. My energy levels are slowly coming up as well now and even though I still can't run at the level I was, I am now able to run better than I have been this past month.

I know this may confuse some since vitamin K helps you clot... but this applies to people with normal genetics. My research found that those who have been diagnosed should try to reduce their intake of foods rich in vitamin K, since further blood coagulation could increase chances of developing blood clots.

Can you imagine.... all that from a multivitamin?

6spdeg · June 2013

OOOOh this is about physically running.. misunderstood the running and your cycle

bumblebums · June 2013

Well.. I still never got to see my doctor. And despite several calls to his office, he doesn't return my calls... or it seems my husbands in the last couple weeks for his issues. Looks like time for a new doctor.

I am pretty sure I figured it out though. I just learned about my blood disorder approx a year ago while I was pregnant. Not once did any doctor, my GP, my OBGYN or the doctor from the thrombosis clinic, ever tell me I should be watching my vitamin K. It has to be on the lower side or at the very least controlled with this disorder. I had recently switched off of my prenatal vitamin since it had been a couple months since I stopped breastfeeding, and started taking a regular multivitamin. After reading up on it, I checked and there it was... a nice high dose of vitamin K. I immediately stopped taking it that day and found one without it. Its only been about a week, but the bleeding started to slow after the first day and slowly came to a stop days afterwards. My energy levels are slowly coming up as well now and even though I still can't run at the level I was, I am now able to run better than I have been this past month.

I know this may confuse some since vitamin K helps you clot... but this applies to people with normal genetics. My research found that those who have been diagnosed should try to reduce their intake of foods rich in vitamin K, since further blood coagulation could increase chances of developing blood clots.

Can you imagine.... all that from a multivitamin?

Wow.

You'll want to check with your new, hopefully better doctor, but have you considered stopping multivitamins altogether? The evidence for their benefits is really quite mixed. Now that you are tracking your foods anyway, you can just monitor the levels of micronutrients that are of concern to you and try to get more of them from dietary sources.

Valtishia · June 2013

Well.. I still never got to see my doctor. And despite several calls to his office, he doesn't return my calls... or it seems my husbands in the last couple weeks for his issues. Looks like time for a new doctor.

I am pretty sure I figured it out though. I just learned about my blood disorder approx a year ago while I was pregnant. Not once did any doctor, my GP, my OBGYN or the doctor from the thrombosis clinic, ever tell me I should be watching my vitamin K. It has to be on the lower side or at the very least controlled with this disorder. I had recently switched off of my prenatal vitamin since it had been a couple months since I stopped breastfeeding, and started taking a regular multivitamin. After reading up on it, I checked and there it was... a nice high dose of vitamin K. I immediately stopped taking it that day and found one without it. Its only been about a week, but the bleeding started to slow after the first day and slowly came to a stop days afterwards. My energy levels are slowly coming up as well now and even though I still can't run at the level I was, I am now able to run better than I have been this past month.

I know this may confuse some since vitamin K helps you clot... but this applies to people with normal genetics. My research found that those who have been diagnosed should try to reduce their intake of foods rich in vitamin K, since further blood coagulation could increase chances of developing blood clots.

Can you imagine.... all that from a multivitamin?

Wow.

You'll want to check with your new, hopefully better doctor, but have you considered stopping multivitamins altogether? The evidence for their benefits is really quite mixed. Now that you are tracking your foods anyway, you can just monitor the levels of micronutrients that are of concern to you and try to get more of them from dietary sources.

I will inquire about that for sure. First I am going to attempt to get them to order a Panel to check for other issues with coaguability. It would likely be easier to discuss once the full picture is there.

sunglasses_and_ocean_waves · June 2013

Thanks you for the response but my question wasn't whether running caused my period to be like this... but whether the changes your body goes through while having one makes it harder to run or not. I was just providing background.

To answer your question... I could go see another doctor... but I will tell you the walk in clinics here suck horribly. I even had one tell me I had Bells Palsy before. Its unfortunate, but I would rather wait and have good care, then a fly by night doctor at one of those clinics. No worries though... I am well aware when something isn't right with my body which is why I called to make an appt. If I feel it becomes an emergency, I am not scared to take my butt to the hospital.

...

I don't think this is a running problem. I thought this was going to be a question about exercising while you are having your period. What you're talking about is a medical problem, and your doctor sounds kind of irresponsible. I would change your primary care provider (I assume you're in the US; this kind of bullsh*t only happens here). Good luck.

Correction: I see you're NOT in the US. Color me surprised. Can you get to another doctor? And to answer your question, no, I don't think running causes this. But having had a baby might, and it still doesn't sound completely normal to me. Don't ask for help on the internet, you need to see a doctor.

Just another fine example of govt run health care that we're headed for. Crap.

You need an ultra-sound. It could be that you have a cyst, or it could be hormonal. I can't believe a dr would let you bleed like that for another month. Free isn't always good.

rayvynn5374 · June 2013

I just finished reading a book for women and running, yes your period can affect your running. Hormones (Progesterone and Estrogen) change your body temp making it longer to reach the point of sweat, can raise your heart rate, and change the way your body uses glycogen. Made the whole running and wondering what the heck i was doing wrong some days make a ton more sense and gave me mental relief. Lots of information to take in . I started writing EVERYTHING down. What day am I in the cycle, how did I feel that day, how "hard" did I have to work to finish a run, etc. Good luck and get some iron!

Valtishia · June 2013

I just finished reading a book for women and running, yes your period can affect your running. Hormones (Progesterone and Estrogen) change your body temp making it longer to reach the point of sweat, can raise your heart rate, and change the way your body uses glycogen. Made the whole running and wondering what the heck i was doing wrong some days make a ton more sense and gave me mental relief. Lots of information to take in . I started writing EVERYTHING down. What day am I in the cycle, how did I feel that day, how "hard" did I have to work to finish a run, etc. Good luck and get some iron!

That is the kind of information I was looking for!! Thank you

nataschalouise · June 2013

I generally tend to be quite tired and lethargic on the first 2 days, so usually never exercise on the first day anyway, and light exercise on the second.

Running and your cycle (men.. proceed with caution)

Replies

Categories