...*ladies question only!*...

parisianskies002
parisianskies002 Posts: 88
edited September 26 in Motivation and Support
This probably going to sound like an excuse but it's really not! l am on my period and the problem is with them is that they are quite heavy and l get very cranky and it does get a bit painful at times, l have been to see a doc and they said it is normal and l'm just unlucky.

l have tried exercising, but that makes the problem a lot worse and l have tried eating a light meal before working out. l end up getting dull aches in my stomach and back at the end of it, l've tried yoga but stretching just makes it uncomfortable. Therefore l cannot really exercise to ease anything & l will need to cut down on a lot of calories because of it but is there any other way to kind of *ease* the pain a bit? l really don't want to stop exercising for a week or else l will get discouraged.

Thank you!
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Replies

  • crystal10584
    crystal10584 Posts: 334
    just walk on a treadmill? it's better than nothing.
  • tammyquinnlmt
    tammyquinnlmt Posts: 680 Member
    try soaking in a hot tub then excercising. Works for me.
  • dragonbug300
    dragonbug300 Posts: 760 Member
    Take long walks. I would bring lots of water and plan a route that takes you past several possible bathrooms.
  • beqy12
    beqy12 Posts: 569
    Midol helps me survive... was also told I'm just unlucky.
  • skittybang
    skittybang Posts: 1,525 Member
    I have the same issue! As of a few months ago instead of buying the midol or pamprin what i do is have 2 aspirin and an ibuprofen with some caffeine.... its definitly lessened the pain
  • azlady7
    azlady7 Posts: 471 Member
    i have always had seriously heavy flow and bad cramps. walking or light aerobics always help and actually it eventually lessons the flow. good luck!
  • littlelol
    littlelol Posts: 539
    i am in the same boat hun x
  • savvystephy
    savvystephy Posts: 4,151 Member
    Well, this may not be of interest to you (as it isn't for everyone), but I find that using a menstrual cup really has helped my cramps (they are a lot less using it). I don't know why, but it works (and I have heard the same comment from others). Now I can't use tampons anymore though, because they itch, but the DivaCup is a great thing. :smile:
  • anolan807
    anolan807 Posts: 273 Member
    Lots of water and I take Aleve or something like that about a half hour before I work out. Helps with the pain. Plus if you can do a heating pad or one of those sticky heating pads it could help as well.
  • ashleyh3156
    ashleyh3156 Posts: 177 Member
    Down some mydol and take it easy, I wouldn't over do it! But I find that when the monthly strikes, I get cravings like crazy too, but when I workout I feel a 150% better, and my cramps tend to go away. Have u tried it for a period of time? I know when I first start exercising I have mild cramps but then they go away.
  • AmyW4225
    AmyW4225 Posts: 302 Member
    Try drinking a ton of water the week before your period. Mine are debilitating, almost, too! And have you ever tried Midol? It has stuff for pain in it and a diuretic to help with the bloat. Also, for me, ab exercises seem to help a bit.
  • CassieLEO
    CassieLEO Posts: 757 Member
    Thermacare heat wraps. And yes, it is a excuse...Throw A heatwrap on you and go take a walk, as someone else said, its better than nothing!!!
  • marthamae813
    marthamae813 Posts: 70 Member
    Keep with it exercise usually helps.
  • AllyS7
    AllyS7 Posts: 480 Member
    try soaking in a hot tub then excercising. Works for me.

    You shouldn't take baths - this can lead to internal bleeding.

    Um..what?
  • Charli666
    Charli666 Posts: 407
    this is gonna sound awful, but if you've had it checked out by a doctor then sometimes you just have to work through the pain, you could try heat patches to ease it during exercise though
  • BECav0602
    BECav0602 Posts: 200 Member
    I know you said exercise makes it worse but have you tried just walking for 30 minutes a day? I have some of the same issues and found that even taking my dog for a walk 30 minutes on a regular basis makes me feel somewhat better. I also tend to take midol or pamprin every 6 hours on the bad days and that helps me feel good enough to get myself out to walk.

    Also, I don't know your beliefs on birth control but if you are ok with it and are not trying to get pregnant I would talk to your doctor about possibly getting on it. I have been on it for years and it definitely helps to make my TOM lighter, although not much shorter. I also don't have nearly as many cramps. Hope this helps.
  • luvmy2babies
    luvmy2babies Posts: 94 Member
    I know how you feel. My periods are aweful and I normally DO NOT work out when I am on it. It just hurts too bad. Now that I am fully commited to working out, I will try to do something. Even if its just walking on the treadmill. A little something is better than nothing.
  • skittybang
    skittybang Posts: 1,525 Member
    try soaking in a hot tub then excercising. Works for me.

    You shouldn't take baths - this can lead to internal bleeding.

    Um..what?

    Joke sorry...
  • SailorMoon007
    SailorMoon007 Posts: 93 Member
    I take Magnesium Calcium supplements (AKA Mag Cal) 10 days before it starts and 2 days after. I was one of those girls that used to have to call into work because the cramps got so bad. Now I have no pain AT ALL. It's awesome! My naturopath recommended it to me. The only downside, is that my period lasts for one day more, but I will take it over the pain any day. Good luck to you!
  • westindya
    westindya Posts: 4
    drink HOT tea as your beverage instead of cold water. it will ease the cramping. also, considering doing weights instead of cardio to keep you active. walking on the treadmill at 2.5 with incline of 2.5/3 will burn calories while feeling leisurely.
  • sweetheart03622
    sweetheart03622 Posts: 928 Member
    Warm bath always helps me =) Also, have you thought about going on the pill? It's amazing for lighting it up!
  • precious71701
    precious71701 Posts: 105
    I have the same exact problem...You just have to try to work through it...I usually have to cut back on my exercise for at least 2 days...usually some walking, leg lifts, squats....try to keep it simple but do get in some type of exercise...good luck
  • AshleyLauren589
    AshleyLauren589 Posts: 139 Member
    I know you said exercise makes it worse but have you tried just walking for 30 minutes a day? I have some of the same issues and found that even taking my dog for a walk 30 minutes on a regular basis makes me feel somewhat better. I also tend to take midol or pamprin every 6 hours on the bad days and that helps me feel good enough to get myself out to walk.

    Also, I don't know your beliefs on birth control but if you are ok with it and are not trying to get pregnant I would talk to your doctor about possibly getting on it. I have been on it for years and it definitely helps to make my TOM lighter, although not much shorter. I also don't have nearly as many cramps. Hope this helps.

    I agree -- light exercise during TOM works for me. I bump the resistance down on the elliptical and just go a little slower. At first it's uncomfortable but I feel better at the end of it. And birth control is the most wonderful thing ever. Makes dealing with TOM so much easier and less annoying.
  • Shawna_831
    Shawna_831 Posts: 316
    I've had 2 kids and now I have pretty heavy periods (super plus tampons only last about an hour) I have a cyst on one of my ovaries that hurts like a *beep*. I just push through the pain and it will actually ease up some. I think a lot is we are also mentally drained during this TOM and it makes it harder to push through. Lots and lots of water for sure helps. Just think of it as flushing yourself out. :wink:
  • brneydgrlie
    brneydgrlie Posts: 464 Member
    Sounds like your doc is full of crap and you need to find a new one. Seriously, TOM is uncomfortable, but should not be excessively painful. If you are having major issues with bad bleeding, cramping, etc, have the doctor do bloodwork to check your vitamin D, iron, and magnesium levels.

    D helps with mood and body aches.
    Magnesium helps muscles relax and reduces things like stress headaches and cramping.
    Iron is necessary in alot of functions. But if you are low, it can make you fatigued, cranky and other symptoms associated with being anemic.
  • kimmerroze
    kimmerroze Posts: 1,330 Member
    I used to be that way until I got on birth control.. now my TOM is Really light and only about 4-5 days long! ITS AWESOME!

    If you aren't on birth control and aren't opposed to medication maybe try that,...


    Other than that good old ibuprophin works FANTASTIC! I mix it with tylenol (dont' worry my doctor said it is okay) and it is like a concauction from heaven!
  • FitNHappy0261
    FitNHappy0261 Posts: 78
    Tons of water, one or two pieces of pure dark chocolate and a thermacare heat pack (it does wonders for me) I have the same problem, bloating like crazy and cramps that can bring me to tears. I'd just take it easy for a few days until it starts to subside and then try to do some crunches (surprisingly those have helped me a lot with the pain) and walking to get in some cardio. Hope this helps.
  • TrainingWithTonya
    TrainingWithTonya Posts: 1,741 Member
    Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt! You're going to think I'm nuts, but workout more--more time, more intensity, more days, more weight! Yes, it will be uncomfortable the first couple of periods and you may think you can't get through it, but you can. After a couple of months, you will find that the intense exercise will decrease your period symptoms. Heavy exercise will mean lighter periods, less severe cramps, and even fewer days on your period. I took mine from 2 weeks of heavy bleeding and pain so bad they put me on painkillers and told me to stay in bed for that 2 weeks a month, down to 3 days of light spotting with just exercise. You can do the same thing. :wink:
  • wolsteem
    wolsteem Posts: 17
    Sorry you are suffering on those days... dont dispair, having a few days where less exercise is taken will not ruin the overall goal.

    On those sorts of days I generally take long gentle walks, getting out in the fresh air helps. I have also taken to having a starflower suppliment and that seems to have calmed down the monthly cycle of pain. I also listen to my body and dont eat anything before the exercise unless I am definately hungry. Then it is usually something that is quite easy to eat such as a banana.
  • gayleskorner
    gayleskorner Posts: 1
    How well I remember those days! I'm not a person who would suggestion using medication lightly but taking an Aleve would really help and so the few I took during the painful times were well worth it.
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