Period Pain like Cramps while Running
ExRelaySprinter
Posts: 874 Member
I've just started getting these period pain like cramps while i've been out running.
It feels like i'm about to start my period, but it's not even anywhere near around that time of the month.
I'm not exactly doubled up in pain or anything, but it is pretty uncomfortable.
Have any of you Ladies experienced this?
It feels like i'm about to start my period, but it's not even anywhere near around that time of the month.
I'm not exactly doubled up in pain or anything, but it is pretty uncomfortable.
Have any of you Ladies experienced this?
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Replies
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How's your breathing? Fully hydrated? OVER hydrated? Do you have a BM before you run? Coffee before you run?
I'm not an expert, those are just some things that have caused me cramps (in my case probably intestinal and not actually in my lady parts, though they can feel the same sometimes to me) while doing cardio.0 -
I get what I would say is the same thing. Awful tearing cramps/stitches. I don't get it from any other forms of exercise (including steep incline very fast walking). I've just accepted that I can't run (at least yet, I have seen a slight improvement as my fitness has improved).
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I've just started working on my breathing actually, i would say i'm pretty hydrated (i always carry a bottle of water with me), BM.... sometimes, sometimes not and no i don't drink Coffee at all.
I've only been running for about 3 weeks and it's only happened twice.
Just seems strange that it feels so much like period pain!0 -
I'd guess breathing, then. Adrenaline and endorphins can do funny things if you're not used to them. Make sure you're breathing (but not hyperventilating) and not pushing yourself to go too fast or too hard. If you just started, building a foundation of endurance (and basic injury prevention) is more important than speed. Just in general, maybe make sure you're doing some stretching, too, and some core strength training (could be something like a hernia, too) and see if the pain occurs at other times.
But like I said, I'm not an expert. Maybe some others will chime in with more ideas.0 -
I'd guess breathing, then. Adrenaline and endorphins can do funny things if you're not used to them. Make sure you're breathing (but not hyperventilating) and not pushing yourself to go too fast or too hard. If you just started, building a foundation of endurance (and basic injury prevention) is more important than speed. Just in general, maybe make sure you're doing some stretching, too, and some core strength training (could be something like a hernia, too) and see if the pain occurs at other times.
But like I said, I'm not an expert. Maybe some others will chime in with more ideas.
Yes, it could be i'm going too fast too soon.
I'll take it slower and see if that helps.
Thanks!
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Perhaps it's something up with your waterworks. I got something similar once. Though obviously not exactly the same. Turned out to be a mild urinary tract infection. A prescription cleared it right up.0
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Have you been checked for ovarian cysts? I was getting pains like this 1.5 week before my period, so bad one day that I ended up at the ER, and it turns out it was ovarian cysts, pretty big ones... Not much can be done about it but it might be worth checking out, if they are too big they can be removed.0
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Sometimes ovarian cysts are aggravated during intense exercise or exercise where pressure is placed on your hips and stomach. They're fairly common and not generally an issue (often, people have them and never have any problems), but if it persists after trying what others suggest you can mention it to your doctor. Many women describe the pain to be similar to menstrual cramps.0
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The stitches folks often get on their sides while running can be caused by your liver. The liver is basically just hung from a few pieces of connective tissue and can move around quite a bit. Think of running while holding a water balloon by the stem. This is the kind of action your liver takes when running. The stitches are the connection points to the connective tissue stretching and yanking while running.
Keep your core engaged while you run, especially if, like me, you have a fair amount of interabdominal (visceral) fat yet to lose. This will keep your guts from moving around so much.0 -
If it is exactly like menstual cramps in terms of location and type of pain, I suggest getting an ultrasound to check for cysts.
Stitches, in my experience, tend to be higher and only on one side. Intestinal cramping is generally very localized and doesn't radiate.0 -
I have to breath out on a left foot strike or I get side stitches. If you do so on a right foot strike apparently the diaphragm can put extra pressure on the liver or something. If you've only been running 3 weeks that not even a full mebstraul cycle so probably not related to that unless it keeps up for longer. Play with your breathing pattern and find one that works for you.0
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I get this too. I feel like my uterus is jumping up and down and I get light cramps. I also feel like I have to pee constantly during a run. Not fast walking or anything, just running. I was checked for cysts (and endometriosis) last year, so I don't know what it is. It did cross my mind that it might be a UTI but it doesn't happen any other time.
Let me know how you solve it. It really kills my style.
Oh and unless it's up near your lowest rib it's not a stitch. I know the poster that suggested it was trying to be helpful but I don't think some guys realize that women can tell the difference between uterine pain, bladder discomfort, and intestinal problems normally. At least all the men I know don't realize it. They all feel completely different to me.0 -
SimoneBee12 wrote: »I get this too. I feel like my uterus is jumping up and down and I get light cramps. I also feel like I have to pee constantly during a run. Not fast walking or anything, just running. I was checked for cysts (and endometriosis) last year, so I don't know what it is. It did cross my mind that it might be a UTI but it doesn't happen any other time.
Let me know how you solve it. It really kills my style.
Oh and unless it's up near your lowest rib it's not a stitch. I know the poster that suggested it was trying to be helpful but I don't think some guys realize that women can tell the difference between uterine pain, bladder discomfort, and intestinal problems normally. At least all the men I know don't realize it. They all feel completely different to me.
Everyone's different. My wife has trouble identifying source and location of pain. Also, I don't get running stitches where you describe. They're lower. Near the middle of my oblique.0 -
Sean_TheITGuy wrote: »SimoneBee12 wrote: »I get this too. I feel like my uterus is jumping up and down and I get light cramps. I also feel like I have to pee constantly during a run. Not fast walking or anything, just running. I was checked for cysts (and endometriosis) last year, so I don't know what it is. It did cross my mind that it might be a UTI but it doesn't happen any other time.
Let me know how you solve it. It really kills my style.
Oh and unless it's up near your lowest rib it's not a stitch. I know the poster that suggested it was trying to be helpful but I don't think some guys realize that women can tell the difference between uterine pain, bladder discomfort, and intestinal problems normally. At least all the men I know don't realize it. They all feel completely different to me.
Everyone's different. My wife has trouble identifying source and location of pain. Also, I don't get running stitches where you describe. They're lower. Near the middle of my oblique.
That's understandable, but you were describing a side stitch caused by your liver moving around as you run, my liver is at least 6-8 inches higher than my uterus, and not in the centre of my body, so it's a different situation. Even the stitches you get in the middle of your oblique would be 2 inches higher and 5 inches to the side of where my period pain originates.
When it's described as period pain, it's safe to assume it's below the OPs belly button, not on her side, unless she has some kind of "wandering uterus".
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SimoneBee12 wrote: »Sean_TheITGuy wrote: »SimoneBee12 wrote: »I get this too. I feel like my uterus is jumping up and down and I get light cramps. I also feel like I have to pee constantly during a run. Not fast walking or anything, just running. I was checked for cysts (and endometriosis) last year, so I don't know what it is. It did cross my mind that it might be a UTI but it doesn't happen any other time.
Let me know how you solve it. It really kills my style.
Oh and unless it's up near your lowest rib it's not a stitch. I know the poster that suggested it was trying to be helpful but I don't think some guys realize that women can tell the difference between uterine pain, bladder discomfort, and intestinal problems normally. At least all the men I know don't realize it. They all feel completely different to me.
Everyone's different. My wife has trouble identifying source and location of pain. Also, I don't get running stitches where you describe. They're lower. Near the middle of my oblique.
That's understandable, but you were describing a side stitch caused by your liver moving around as you run, my liver is at least 6-8 inches higher than my uterus, and not in the centre of my body, so it's a different situation. Even the stitches you get in the middle of your oblique would be 2 inches higher and 5 inches to the side of where my period pain originates.
When it's described as period pain, it's safe to assume it's below the OPs belly button, not on her side, unless she has some kind of "wandering uterus".
True enough, however referred pain makes the perceived location of pain a complex method of diagnosis.0 -
I have, on occasion, gotten BRUTAL cramps while running, typically around week 3 of my cycle (and no, they aren't a stitch, my liver or anything else, I know where my uterus is located and what it feels like when it starts to spasm). The best thing I've found is to slow down to a walk and keep walking at least 30 minutes (if you can, anyway). It has only happened on my "long runs", not the HIIT (for me) and it isn't every month or even all that often (maybe a couple of times a year). It isn't likely to affect your running long term (though if it does start happening regularly, I would check with a doctor).0
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I wonder if in some women the uterus moves substantially, similar to the liver causing side stitches. It would be hard to keep your lower abdomen tensed enough to stabilize that area. Interesting.0
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Sean_TheITGuy wrote: »I wonder if in some women the uterus moves substantially, similar to the liver causing side stitches. It would be hard to keep your lower abdomen tensed enough to stabilize that area. Interesting.
Well for what it's worth side stitches for me can involve a pretty large
range on the ride side of my body down to my uterus which is why I suggested the same thing you did. You aren't totally off base just because you don't have a uterus.0 -
It's not a stitch, it's definitely much lower and feels exactly like period pain cramps and in the same area as period pain would normally occur.
I'm going for my next run on Sunday, so will just take it a bit slower, check my breathing and see if that makes a difference.
If it persists or gets worse, i'll go see my Doctor.
Thanks for the responses Guys. 0 -
and make sure you are properly hydrated0
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I had this. ..turned out to be chronic constipation! !0
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