Do you work out on your period?

Generally i'll still work out, or at least try. If i hurt then i'd call it quits and try again tomorrow. At the least yo can go for a brisk walk

WARNING: this reply contains references to rape which may be a trigger for some.

It varies. I have PCOS and moderate endometriosis, and before I was on birth control I could barely walk during my period. They lasted between 3 weeks and 3 months, which was a nightmare in my teens. Trying to explain I'm stuck in bed with period pain to a mother who always got light cramps at worst was near impossible. And I got something called PMDD - Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder - which is like PMS on steroids, except it wasn't only just before, but sometimes during. Depression, crazy rages (where normally I'm one of the mellowest people you'll meet), suicidal thoughts, complete irrationality. So no exercising then. If someone suggested it I'd probably have thrown a chair at their head.

Started on the pill when I was 17, and things were a lot better - still bad cramps, but only for a week, and I found some exercise helped. Not walking - it hurt to be upright - but occasional yoga, ballet exercises that I could do flat on my back (leg lifts and stuff, and weights), and swimming. Swimming was the single best thing I found for cramps and I'd recommend it to anyone who can use tampons or those instead cup things.

After 4 years on the pill I was violently raped and sustained a lot of scar tissue, and my periods went out of control, even with the pills, so I got a Mirena IUS, and miracle, no more periods. Slight spotting for two or three months, then nothing for five years. That ran out last year, and when I started getting ragey and sad this autumn (it's licensed for five years, but sometimes the hormones last a bit longer; I didn't get any periods till this summer) I got a new one put in. So far I'm not having a great reaction to it - cramps and heavy bleeding kept me in bed 21-22 hours a day for the first two weeks (so no exercise) and it's only this week that I've been able to buy groceries and stuff, but I have hope that it'll settle down like the last one.

To clarify, I am NOT suggesting Mirena to anyone - everyone's body reacts differently to stuff like that and I wouldn't try to push my reproductive choices on anyone.

In short I'd say if you CAN exercise, do. Particularly swimming. Light exercise seems to help a lot more people than it hurts. That said, everyone's different, particularly when it comes to menstrual cycles, and if it's too painful, stop.

After all, if exercise doesn't help, there's always hot water bottles and gin & tonic. *grins*


(Edited to remove my attempt at bold text.)

I'm sorta surprised a doctor would give you a mirena given your history. Glad it's working for you.
When you decide to remove it permanently, be ready for a huge hormone crash. I suspect you'll have one.
(yes, I know mirena's hormones are advertised to be "local" to the uterus, but know that's not true, and believe that given what we know about the body it's odd that doctors believe that).
Glad it's working for you. Your periods sound awful.

OP: APOLOGIES! I don't mean to hijack your thread.

WARNING: this reply contains references to rape which may be a trigger for some.

It varies. I have PCOS and moderate endometriosis, and before I was on birth control I could barely walk during my period. They lasted between 3 weeks and 3 months, which was a nightmare in my teens. Trying to explain I'm stuck in bed with period pain to a mother who always got light cramps at worst was near impossible. And I got something called PMDD - Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder - which is like PMS on steroids, except it wasn't only just before, but sometimes during. Depression, crazy rages (where normally I'm one of the mellowest people you'll meet), suicidal thoughts, complete irrationality. So no exercising then. If someone suggested it I'd probably have thrown a chair at their head.

Started on the pill when I was 17, and things were a lot better - still bad cramps, but only for a week, and I found some exercise helped. Not walking - it hurt to be upright - but occasional yoga, ballet exercises that I could do flat on my back (leg lifts and stuff, and weights), and swimming. Swimming was the single best thing I found for cramps and I'd recommend it to anyone who can use tampons or those instead cup things.

After 4 years on the pill I was violently raped and sustained a lot of scar tissue, and my periods went out of control, even with the pills, so I got a Mirena IUS, and miracle, no more periods. Slight spotting for two or three months, then nothing for five years. That ran out last year, and when I started getting ragey and sad this autumn (it's licensed for five years, but sometimes the hormones last a bit longer; I didn't get any periods till this summer) I got a new one put in. So far I'm not having a great reaction to it - cramps and heavy bleeding kept me in bed 21-22 hours a day for the first two weeks (so no exercise) and it's only this week that I've been able to buy groceries and stuff, but I have hope that it'll settle down like the last one.

To clarify, I am NOT suggesting Mirena to anyone - everyone's body reacts differently to stuff like that and I wouldn't try to push my reproductive choices on anyone.

In short I'd say if you CAN exercise, do. Particularly swimming. Light exercise seems to help a lot more people than it hurts. That said, everyone's different, particularly when it comes to menstrual cycles, and if it's too painful, stop.

After all, if exercise doesn't help, there's always hot water bottles and gin & tonic. *grins*


(Edited to remove my attempt at bold text.)

Yes I do! I ha e found that when I do work out the pain and cramps are so much less severe! If I don't I have horrendous cramps and pain, that I have to double up on midol! So I live by working out during that week

For me it really depends on the month. I mean that literally some months are very light and short with no issues while others I am in bed with a menstrual related migraine, cramps that won't let up and heavy bleeding. If you can do so there is no reason not to, however if you are not able or comfortable doing so then don't. Just make sure you get back into working out and eat well during your period. I have to watch my nutrition during that time because all I want is junk food.

For me, I can't workout when I'm in a lot of pain (which happens for a couple days during my period). You gotta try and see if it works for you.

Yes.... I'm not about to let Aunt Flo ruin my daily plans just because she's visiting. That B can do what she wants, I'm not entertaining her.

Ditto - and well said BTW It something that will be with me most of my life and I refuse to let the "visit" derail my program - I don't let it interfere with work or errands, why let it interfere in other areas of my life?

I ALWAYS workout on my period. Actually often harder because it relieves my cramps and helps suppress my appetite too. I find it helps me feel less cranky and helps with the bloating of the body as well, so YES, do workout!

Absolutely! Always makes me feel better, especially if crampy and grumpy. Bring on the good endorphins! :happy:

I still workout...but I might just do weights or a lighter routine...that is if I am not cramping like hell...in that case I rest...drink plenty of water and the heating pad...

I physically can't workout if my cramps are raging. Many will say light activity helps, but I'd rather lie in the bath popping pills. My cramps only last 2-3 days though, so the resr of my period is fair game!

Ditto. I get cramps so severe that I vomit from the pain. I literally can't do anything except lie down. If I get up to use the bathroom, I vomit on my way there. Over-the-counter painkillers have no effect, so I take a prescription drug to lessen the pain. But I still feel just blahhh when I have cramps. My cramps only last 1 day out of my period though. So on that one day, I just count it as a rest day and skip my workout. I workout on all the other days of my period though. Unless you're in pain, there's nothing wrong with working out on your period.

Ditto. altho mine last at least 3 days and i regularly overflow overnight pads, 2-3 a day the first couple days. So i dont go anywhere...ever... during that time.

On my period, yes. On a migraine, no. On Flood day I have considered Depends because of the potential for mess.

Only on light days. So I get 2 days of awesome cramping and lounging with a heat pad on, eating under my cal goals

I'll only do lighter activities like yoga or pilates until I feel up to snuff.

wow. women do not shut off 1 week out of the month. unless you have a specific medical condition that requires medication preventing you from exertion or physical activity, why would you stop working out or eating correctly? good lord.

copy/paste of my last reply:Did you know that women for generations were told to never work out during their periods?

your point being? you're using the past tense. most women of menstruating age are young enough at this point that they shouldn't have received incorrect/outdated/pick your term education along these lines.

again, what's your point?