Menstrual cramping during or after exercise (Question for th

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  • poorlittlerichgirl
    poorlittlerichgirl Posts: 1
    I have been exercising and running for many years, and only in the last 6 months (I am 34) have I experienced this horrible episode, only 4 times and only at the beginning of my period, like before the run I am not on my period and then that day it will start, not during my period. I can barely make it home and when I do I must use the bathroom and sometimes even vomit. I am covered in cold sweat and it continues for at least 40 minutes in contraction waves I call them. I am so relieved when I can feel them getting weaker. I am inconsolable and can't really speak or care where I am laying. I am relieved to see other women experiencing this and to hear that even one woman who had experienced child birth said she thought this was worse. I have not experienced child birth but this feeling I would not wish on anyone.
    It happens after my run in the middle if me walking home. I feel it coming and think, "o no I better start running just to get home" but I can barely walk. I live in Orlando and always run throughout the summer months the heat is no problem, I knew I wasn't dehydrated and its not the heat, so yesterday when this happened to me for the third 4th time these nice lawn guys were worried about me and gave me Gatorade and they said, "its this heat", I said (barely), "its not the heat". But I just didn't want to say, "its this period thing and I just need to make it to my house to go to the bathroom and then fall on my bed and moan in pain for 20 minutes and then I'll be fine" They just don't deserve to hear all that. I do notice my stomach is a little loose the rest of that day and I am a little drowsy, probably just from the shock to my body. I don't want to take drugs or birth control but I will try the magnesium listed in your posts.
    I so appreciated ready all you guys posts so I felt I had to contribute. Thanks ladies for speaking out!!
  • soloshirisque
    soloshirisque Posts: 2
    This is exactly what happens to me, and it's happened ever since I started running when I was 19. If I go running in the few days before my period, I'll start to experience menstrual cramps about a mile in, without fail. I thought first that I could just run through them- WRONG. This resulted in excruciating pain that left me doubled over. What works for me is the moment I feel them coming on, I just walk until they subside, usually less than 5 minutes, and then I can finish my run with no problems. The rest of my cycle, I can run with no issues. Can't help you with the conception issue though- have no idea if there may be a connection there, I just attributed it to heavy exercise inducing cramps right before menstruation..
  • soloshirisque
    soloshirisque Posts: 2
    I started to experience this exact pain when I got off BC about 2 years ago. It always happens when I am about 2 miles into my run and I have to stop for about 5-10 mins while I have extreme craps. Then it pretty much goes away and I can finish my run no problem. My husband and I have been trying to conceive during all this time, so going back on BC is not an option. I have noticed though the cramping only occurs the 2 weeks right after I should have ovulated up to when I actually start my period. Is anyone experiencing this problem and also having trouble getting pregnant?

    This is exactly what happens to me, and it's happened ever since I started running when I was 19. If I go running in the few days before my period, I'll start to experience menstrual cramps about a mile in, without fail. I thought first that I could just run through them- WRONG. This resulted in excruciating pain that left me doubled over. What works for me is the moment I feel them coming on, I just walk until they subside, usually less than 5 minutes, and then I can finish my run with no problems. The rest of my cycle, I can run with no issues. Can't help you with the conception issue though- have no idea if there may be a connection there, I just attributed it to heavy exercise inducing cramps right before menstruation..
  • cgreen728
    cgreen728 Posts: 2 Member
    I didn't read all of the replies so someone might have already said this but I've found that it helps me to walk until it goes away. I can get pretty intense pain that feels like menstrual cramps when I'm running. I used to stop and wait out the pain but in my experience, the pain doesn't last as long at such a high intensity if I walk. I don't know if this helps but I thought it might be worth mentioning. Like others have said, it sounds like something your doctor should be a lo of help with. Good luck!
  • bespatter
    bespatter Posts: 73 Member
    I have PCOS, and sometimes when I workout I get intense cramps in my ovaries. It sounds crazy, but I it does happen (even when I'm not currently on my period). I've talked to other women with PCOS and they've mentioned they get cramps there too.
  • sydwalker76
    sydwalker76 Posts: 2 Member
    The same exact thing started happening to me around the time I turned 40. I'll put my experiences down here in case it helps someone figure it out. I've exercised regularly for the past 20+ years. I've never had the cramping until recently (the past few months). I'm not a runner, but any exercise I do...about 15 minutes in I get very bad cramping that feels just like the menstrual type. Usually it will stop on its own after about 10 minutes. Most of the time I exercise through it because I exercise with a group and find it easier to keep going then to explain to people why I'm doubled over or curled up on the ground wimpering...though that's EXACTLY what I feel like doing. There usually isn't any nausea - only on occasion. I haven't taken birth control for about 10 years so an IUD is not what's causing it (at least on my end). I also drink a lot of water every day (80oz or more) so it shouldn't be dehydration. The cramping is not all the time...it's usually about 10-12 days after my period and lasts about a week. I also find that if I take an aspirin or Tylenol 30-60 minutes before I work out then it's not an issue. I hate to take meds though, so I'd like to find a more permanent solution. I'm kind of wondering if it might be a polyp or maybe ovarian cyst...as that can be one of the symptoms, I believe. I haven't gone to the doctor yet, but if she figures anything out, or I have any success on my own, I'll post it here.
  • sydwalker76
    sydwalker76 Posts: 2 Member
    I finally saw my gynocologist and she said it is most likely mittelschmerz pain...which is pain during ovulation (in the middle of your cycle). One in five women apparently experience this. I found this Australian website which explains it well: https://betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/ovulation-pain Also, I did have a cervical polyp, but the doctor doesn't think that was the reason for the pain....however...the timing of when the pain started is about the time the polyp likely developed...so it will be interesting to see if it continues now that the polyp has been removed.
  • jennydelgado09
    jennydelgado09 Posts: 119 Member
    I had my iud removed because of exercise causing cramps. I was perfectly fine until my period. Had really bad cramping when i tried to do abs. Tom finished, went back and pushed myself. Cramped for an entire week. On the floor withering in pain kind of cramping.

    Had it removed immediately.
  • miathebee2010
    miathebee2010 Posts: 1 Member
    I wanted to cry reading these comments because I have had this issue for 6 years now and thought I was going crazy after the doctors kept telling me everything was fine. After the excruciating pain-after a quick mile- caused me to curl up on the floor I knew something was wrong. It is so frustrating knowing something is going on in your body and doctors not believing you. I appreciate all the recommendations on this thread. Currently in the process of getting colposcopy, biopsied, and ultrasound to find answers. *fingers crossed*
    I will definitely be adopting some of these recommendations to seek remediation and will post if I get any definite answers.
  • nataliepittenger
    nataliepittenger Posts: 1 Member
    I’m so thankful I’m not alone with with this problem! I’ve struggled with this off and on for years and haven’t been able to find a pattern. I’ve tried different work out routines, weights only, cardio only, ect and that hasn’t changed it. I was diagnosed with PCOS and now knowing that it is likely tied to hormones makes me feel like I’m not going crazy and there is a cause to this. THANK YOU!!

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