Question for the ladies!

Exercise is fine. Just don't try to put up preserves or bake bread. And stay away from the cow or her milk will go sour.

Good points.

Is it 1950 again???

THANK YOU. And considering I was born in the 80's I still know what you're talking about.

Yes workout. No one says you can't because you're bleeding. I do recommend tampons though.

I am an R.N. and there is really nothing wrong with exercising during that time. Im like the previous lady though. I sure never felt like it. Go ahead.. just take it easy.

Hi! I know it may feel strange in the beginning, but @ TOM, feel free to workout! In fact, it improves the way you'd feel, and it doesn't matter the rate of your flow. That being said, I think tampons work better b/c they're more likely to stay in place; pads, on the other hand, like to move around...a lot...even when I'm merely walking.

Right or wrong, I haven't worn a pad in probably 10 yrs... lol

I sent you a friend request...and anyone else can feel free to add me. I've been here 10 days and am enjoying the motivation and positive views of everyone I've encountered thus far! :-)

I don't know why you can't exercise when your flow is heavy...I had/have endometriosis. I've had periods for up to a full four weeks at a time with heavy flow for the majority of that time. I was told that exercise and relaxation techniques would help with my severe cramping. The only time I wasn't allowed to lift more than 10 pounds was the two weeks after my surgery; otherwise, as long as you're up for it, you don't need a doctor's note to work out during your time of the month.

That said, if you're willing to work out when you've got your period, then I'd recommend either extra-long maxi pad with wings or adult diapers. (Okay, the adult diapers was a joke...although it would probably be quite effective.) I mean, if you've got your period, you're probably not going to be comfortable no matter what you do, so you might as well opt for the most coverage. If you're a tampon person, do a tampon and a pantiliner, just in case. Otherwise, Stayfree makes a fantastic ginormous "overnight" pad that should work, and they're probably among the cheaper brands (find a coupon) since we keep them in my house. I don't actually know because my dad usually buys it, LOL.

Some people have experienced a super heavy flow that causes a drop in iron. Low iron combined with heavy exercise can cause more fatigue than normal. Normally though, I would say, push through it...it's a normal occurrence for at least half the population.

There are options out there that avoid these issues altogether (certain types of contraception) but that is such a personal choice (or a medical one) that you should speak directly to a doctor if you're that concerned. It's definitely not 1950 anymore, you don't have to live with anything you don't want to...we are woman, here us roar!!

I'm a big fan of tampons by the way...too much movement with pads if you're really going hardcore - even a walk sucks in my opinion with one of those on and I do find that my flow increases with exercise. I also will say that I feel fantastic after working out and would recommend you do something, even if it's less than what you would normally do. 10 minutes of walking is better than nothing.

Being a woman is a gift, enjoy it!

Holy cow, you are the complete opposite of me. I can't get a tampon to stay in, so they do nothing for me. I had a bad reaction to the pill and will never ever take those things again. And lastly, as a woman who has endometriosis (back after having surgery six months ago), and has spent the last eleven days bleeding and nauseous, being a woman does NOT SEEM LIKE A GIFT. :mad: :explode: :sad: :huh: :noway: *sigh* two more days of this misery and I should be done.

Injurys? what like your uterus falling out? No seriously what the hell?

I exercise on all days of my period and I have a goddamn civil war in there when I have my period.

LOL civil war, that's funny! I just meant like maybe pulling a muscle or exerting myself too hard during a time when I'm losing so much blood.

When you have your period, you're not "losing blood" like you would be if you had an actual injury (i.e. stab wound, etc.) Your body "stcoks up" on the blood and tissue all month long and then, once a month, releases it since you're not pregnant and don't need the reserves. It's not like once a month all of the blood vessels in your uterus open up and run free for a week straight! What I'm getting at is that, yes, you're "losing blood," but it's "extra" blood and tissue that your body doesn't need, not fresh blood that's circulating through your body all day, everyday. Because of this, you're not going to hurt yourself by exercising during your period. Unless you have a medical reason or have been told by a doctor that you shouldn't exercise during TOM, you'll be fine!!! Oh, and I typically use pads because tampons make my cramps worse (I have Endo), but I always use a tampon if I'm going to be working out. It's just more comfortable with my yoga pants! :laugh:

I wouldn't. I heard someone that your ovaries could fall out.

Oh snap! *puts away running shoes*

You won't injure yourself, unless you have a leave and then your pride is injured.

I usually get cramps prior to my period and I tend to take a rest day on the first, purely for heavy flow purposes.

I always work out during that time of the month. I use tampons. I don't even use pads anymore at all. Tampons stay in place, unless I guess if you're using weights and you squeeze your kegal muscles then it might push it out somewhat and that becomes uncomfortable, so I guess a pad will do.

I wouldn't. I heard someone that your ovaries could fall out.

Some of them? Or all of them?

I wouldn't. I heard somewhere that your ovaries could fall out.

Some of them? Or all of them?

Both. It's a scary thing.

Nah, when I get that time of the month I make my husband do my workouts for me.

Just like I make him do everything else for me on those days... reach for high things, cook his own foods, open tight jars, between my squeamishness and nausea at my own situation and the general aches and pains I just delegate everything during that time.

Weird too because just the other day my husband was noticing, "Hey ever since we got married you're monthly time used to be 2-3 days, but now its 5 days and sometimes up to 7 and that one time a few months ago it was like almost 10 days long!?"

During that time of the month, I have an extremely hard time. Due to other medical issues, my "monthly" tends to be anywhere from little cranky to I'm pretty sure I'm dying. I can't normally handle my normal intense workout, but I go nice and slow on my elliptical or I walk. Any movement is better than no movement and plus my doctor told me sometimes, exercise can actually help you through it a bit easier. Its up to you and your body what you can handle.

I always exercise during the Red Plague of Death. It actually helps with the cramps.

I looove your terminology! it is stolen!!!