FOR THE LADIES ONLY!! TMI
RunConquerCelebrate
Posts: 956 Member
Hello running friends, once again this question is for the Ladies only!!!!
I wanted to know if this happens to anyone else or if it only happens to me, a week before TOM comes to visit I tend to be low on energy. I have a really hard time doing anything, that means getting the energy to go out for a run, or doing any type of workout. I feel more tired and only want to sleep.
I will bring this up to my Dr on next appointment but just wanted to know if this happens to anyone else.
Also what tips do you have about running a race during TOM. Looking at my calendar I may be on it during my Half Marathon race and that really concerns me. I tend to be on the heavy flow side, and I really do not want to stop and use the potty during my race.
Any tips will be helpful thank you ladies.
I wanted to know if this happens to anyone else or if it only happens to me, a week before TOM comes to visit I tend to be low on energy. I have a really hard time doing anything, that means getting the energy to go out for a run, or doing any type of workout. I feel more tired and only want to sleep.
I will bring this up to my Dr on next appointment but just wanted to know if this happens to anyone else.
Also what tips do you have about running a race during TOM. Looking at my calendar I may be on it during my Half Marathon race and that really concerns me. I tend to be on the heavy flow side, and I really do not want to stop and use the potty during my race.
Any tips will be helpful thank you ladies.
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Replies
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It is up to you and how you feel, but you could go on continuous birth control pills, eliminate the period altogether. Talk to your doc about it.0
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FWIW, I tend to run really well when it's my TOM. Like, most of my personal records are from that week. I think mainly it's because I tend to get nauseous during the week before, so I eat really clean when I have PMS... which means I come into the race well-fueled.
Have you tried the DivaCup? That works well for a lot of women and can be worn all day. Other than that, black bottoms in case you leak.0 -
I totally agree with Silly. I call it "rag power." I've actually looked it up on the internet & there's some science behind it. We are slower the week or even 2 before. But then get a burst of energy, hormones, when we finally do have our period. I always wear a tampon during a run or race. I hope it all works in your favor.0
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Fleetzz brings up an option - I have been on continuous BC pills since having my son 9 years ago - I never liked that TOM, I choose not to have periods at all. I bring it up every time I go for my repeat perscription - I always ask if its unhealthy, or whether I should have a break, (I think its the mini pill that I'm on - you take it for all 28 days) but the doctors say its not an issue.
I understand that many women prefer to have the reassurance of their monthly cycle, but I really don't miss it at all. Every time women around me in the office are struggling, I think how lucky I am.0 -
I don't notice any difference in my monthly cycle in terms of energy levels, but I've been on the BCP forever. I woudl also second the Diva Cup suggestion. Installed correctly, it'll never leak, you won't know it's there and it can be kept inside for quite a while :-)0
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I don't notice any difference in my monthly cycle in terms of energy levels, but I've been on the BCP forever. I woudl also second the Diva Cup suggestion. Installed correctly, it'll never leak, you won't know it's there and it can be kept inside for quite a while :-)
Mine still leaks a bit - I have some damage due to childbirth. But it's well within what a pair of black bottoms can handle.
No hormones for me - so glad that part of my life is over! It turned me into a zombie with no interest in sex whatsoever.0 -
Running really messed with my cycle - it became irregular, and then it stayed for 21 days after one of my halfs (ugh). I went on birth control, and now I just skip it when I have a race or a backpacking trip. Backpacking on your period is the worst! I was especially glad for this when we hiked Kilimanjaro.0
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It is up to you and how you feel, but you could go on continuous birth control pills, eliminate the period altogether. Talk to your doc about it.
That is interesting I have never thought about it, did not know there was that option. I have never been a birth control pill kind of girl. But I will talk to my Dr about it.
I thought that birth control pills made you gain weight?0 -
FWIW, I tend to run really well when it's my TOM. Like, most of my personal records are from that week. I think mainly it's because I tend to get nauseous during the week before, so I eat really clean when I have PMS... which means I come into the race well-fueled.
Have you tried the DivaCup? That works well for a lot of women and can be worn all day. Other than that, black bottoms in case you leak.
I have never had a race while on TOM so I honestly have no idea how I would perform. I also tend to get nauseous the week before and two days into TOM, by the third day I am feeling back to normal. I have not heard and or tried the DivaCup I will have to look into it.
Thanks0 -
I totally agree with Silly. I call it "rag power." I've actually looked it up on the internet & there's some science behind it. We are slower the week or even 2 before. But then get a burst of energy, hormones, when we finally do have our period. I always wear a tampon during a run or race. I hope it all works in your favor.
I have never ran a race while on it, but if it turns out that I am on it for my half it will be very interesting to see what happens.0 -
Fleetzz brings up an option - I have been on continuous BC pills since having my son 9 years ago - I never liked that TOM, I choose not to have periods at all. I bring it up every time I go for my repeat perscription - I always ask if its unhealthy, or whether I should have a break, (I think its the mini pill that I'm on - you take it for all 28 days) but the doctors say its not an issue.
I understand that many women prefer to have the reassurance of their monthly cycle, but I really don't miss it at all. Every time women around me in the office are struggling, I think how lucky I am.
I have never been a BC pills kind of person, I seriously thought that they made you gain weight LOL!!. I will talk to my Dr on my next appt and bring it up. not having a period would be nice.0 -
I don't notice any difference in my monthly cycle in terms of energy levels, but I've been on the BCP forever. I woudl also second the Diva Cup suggestion. Installed correctly, it'll never leak, you won't know it's there and it can be kept inside for quite a while :-)
I will look into these two options thanks0 -
Running really messed with my cycle - it became irregular, and then it stayed for 21 days after one of my halfs (ugh). I went on birth control, and now I just skip it when I have a race or a backpacking trip. Backpacking on your period is the worst! I was especially glad for this when we hiked Kilimanjaro.
I have to agree running has messed up with my cycle it has pushed out by a couple of weeks. I have an idea now when it will come but sometimes it just comes like two weeks later than it should.0 -
Diva Cup to the rescue! I have exclusively used one since I had my first child, and I love, love, love the Diva Cup. You just take it out and clean it twice a day and that's it. No stupid string hanging out, no gross pads close to your body, and you only have to empty it twice a day (so you really only have to do it at home). I would wear a Diva Cup in a race, for sure. I've worn one for many, many runs and never had an issue.
I notice that before I get my period, I am more irritable than anything. I am super-annoyed, don't feel like doing anything, etc. I find that I need to push myself to get to the gym, but after I workout, I feel much better.
Maybe speak to your doctor about your iron level? If it is low, you may feel more tired.0 -
I've just started training for my first marathon, and have found that the day I first start TOM I'm fine but then after that my energy decreases and after 30 minutes of running I feel faint! The month before my marathon I'm going to carry on with my pill so that I don't come on just before it or during!!!! That would be horrible and I can't even imagine contemplating running 26 miles with TOM in tow!!! :-( for the rest of my training, if I'm on I'm going to use those few days to do weight training and maybe some yoga and short runs if possible.0
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I totally agree with Silly. I call it "rag power." I've actually looked it up on the internet & there's some science behind it. We are slower the week or even 2 before. But then get a burst of energy, hormones, when we finally do have our period. I always wear a tampon during a run or race. I hope it all works in your favor.
I have never ran a race while on it, but if it turns out that I am on it for my half it will be very interesting to see what happens.
It's gonna be great! You're not on hormonal birth control, right? If you ARE, your TOM isn't technically a period - it's called "withdrawal bleeding", and the big difference is it does NOT come with the hormonal changes of a "real" menstrual period.
I've heard that pain tolerance goes up, which is great for racing! I used to worry about this, and now I'm sort of annoyed with having to take care of what I like to call "laundry issues" - but my body works awesome!0 -
Mirena IUD. Way better than the Diva Cup and BCP. Problem solved.0
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It is up to you and how you feel, but you could go on continuous birth control pills, eliminate the period altogether. Talk to your doc about it.
That is interesting I have never thought about it, did not know there was that option. I have never been a birth control pill kind of girl. But I will talk to my Dr about it.
I thought that birth control pills made you gain weight?
I use the BC pill but I still do the 1 week off, so I still get my monthly TOM. Even still, I find that the pill helps with my low energy and headaches because my flow is much lighter than when I wasn't on the pill (sorry TMI!) so I get less anemic. Also my TOM tends to be shorter on the pill (3 days ish) so less days of feeling icky = yay!
In regards to weight gain, I've heard of this but I personally never experienced it (I've gone on and off two different BC pills and neither had this effect). I've also heard that it can increase your breast cup size a bit, but unfortunately that didn't happen for me either ;-).
Definitely talk to your doc about contraceptive options though - it would definitely help with your TOM symptoms.0 -
Not everybody loses their period with the Mirena but it is a good option. Insertion is pretty painful for the nulliparous.Mirena IUD. Way better than the Diva Cup and BCP. Problem solved.0
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It happens to me too. A week before hand I get really lethargic and my runs feel like an all out effort. During a race it sucks because I feel heavier and bloated... Just try to drink even more water than usual.0
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It is up to you and how you feel, but you could go on continuous birth control pills, eliminate the period altogether. Talk to your doc about it.
That is interesting I have never thought about it, did not know there was that option. I have never been a birth control pill kind of girl. But I will talk to my Dr about it.
I thought that birth control pills made you gain weight?
Eating makes you gain weight, not BC.
And the newer, low dose pills (continuous or not) don't have that effect, other than as a plcebo effect.
You can do the coninuous OCP, or simply start a pill pack and "move" your period if you'd still like to have one.
Also, make sure you're getting enough iron and especially magnesium (you might notice cramping when you exercise, that's commonly magnesium deficiency in women) throughout the month as both mestrual bleeding and distance running contibute to loss/destruction of RBCs and therefore, to anemia.
Have your doc run bloodwork and an iron/ferriting panel.0 -
I've only been on birth control pills (this time around) for almost 2 years. I had a tubal 11+ years ago when my twins were born. The only reason I'm on them is for help controlling the super heavy flow and extreme cramping I was experiencing. When the pain was so bad I had to call off work for a day a few months in a row it was time to see the doc. It's done wonders for a lighter flow, which in turn means less cramping. I only get 4 periods a year and if I need to move it forward or back by a week, doc said that's fine. Weight gain has not been an issue for me, the extra weight I carry was there long before I started the pill.0
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I agree with the people who said to check iron levels. Fatigue is a symptom of an iron deficiency... And having TOM amplifies it further (you'll need extra iron then).
It is easily fixed by adding iron rich foods to your diet (e.g., spinach, raisins, prunes, liver, red meats, eggs, lentils).0 -
Diva Cup to the rescue! I have exclusively used one since I had my first child, and I love, love, love the Diva Cup. You just take it out and clean it twice a day and that's it. No stupid string hanging out, no gross pads close to your body, and you only have to empty it twice a day (so you really only have to do it at home). I would wear a Diva Cup in a race, for sure. I've worn one for many, many runs and never had an issue.
I notice that before I get my period, I am more irritable than anything. I am super-annoyed, don't feel like doing anything, etc. I find that I need to push myself to get to the gym, but after I workout, I feel much better.
Maybe speak to your doctor about your iron level? If it is low, you may feel more tired.
Going to have to look into the Diva cup, I have an appointment next week with my Dr so will check it out0 -
I've just started training for my first marathon, and have found that the day I first start TOM I'm fine but then after that my energy decreases and after 30 minutes of running I feel faint! The month before my marathon I'm going to carry on with my pill so that I don't come on just before it or during!!!! That would be horrible and I can't even imagine contemplating running 26 miles with TOM in tow!!! :-( for the rest of my training, if I'm on I'm going to use those few days to do weight training and maybe some yoga and short runs if possible.
Yes that is me, all I want to do is sleep, I have no energy to go out and run.0 -
It is up to you and how you feel, but you could go on continuous birth control pills, eliminate the period altogether. Talk to your doc about it.
That is interesting I have never thought about it, did not know there was that option. I have never been a birth control pill kind of girl. But I will talk to my Dr about it.
I thought that birth control pills made you gain weight?
I use the BC pill but I still do the 1 week off, so I still get my monthly TOM. Even still, I find that the pill helps with my low energy and headaches because my flow is much lighter than when I wasn't on the pill (sorry TMI!) so I get less anemic. Also my TOM tends to be shorter on the pill (3 days ish) so less days of feeling icky = yay!
In regards to weight gain, I've heard of this but I personally never experienced it (I've gone on and off two different BC pills and neither had this effect). I've also heard that it can increase your breast cup size a bit, but unfortunately that didn't happen for me either ;-).
Definitely talk to your doc about contraceptive options though - it would definitely help with your TOM symptoms.
I have an appointment next week so will talk to my Dr.0 -
It happens to me too. A week before hand I get really lethargic and my runs feel like an all out effort. During a race it sucks because I feel heavier and bloated... Just try to drink even more water than usual.
So glad to hear I am not the only one this happens to0 -
I'm on the depo shot so I haven't had TOM in years. I had really heavy flow & horrible cramps for several days, so it was pretty debilitating. I wasn't running at the time, but honestly most of those days I just wanted to curl into the fetal position on the floor anyway.0
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Mirena IUD. Way better than the Diva Cup and BCP. Problem solved.
Amen. I am on my second one now and never had problems with it.0 -
Mirena IUD. Way better than the Diva Cup and BCP. Problem solved.
^^^^^^^THIS!!!!
I was miserable for years. Horrible cramping, nausea, heavy flow, exhaustion - curled up in a fetal position and trying to exercise only made it worse. I went on Mirena last spring. Initially I had a lot of spotting but it was very light. Now, my periods are pretty much gone. No more cramps, no more nausea, no more worrying about feeling like crap the day of the race. Saves money on all those tampons too.0
