working out while on your period

[ebm1224]

i've always had a bit of an issue about this. usually 1-3 days of my period are pretty heavy and it's just sort of uncomfortable to work out. plus worrying about bending/stretching/etc and possible issues related to springing a leak and what not. but i also don't want to take more than 1 day off at a time because it's harder to jump back in. also, i've gotten a bit into bike riding lately and that is just really awkward during that time.

i'm curious what others do. do you plan to take certain days of the month off? are there certain activities you do on these days?

"i can't help it that i have a heavy flow and a wide-set vagina" -mean girls

[spezzy]

your perceived exertion will be higher a few days before you get your period and things will be harder. This lasts until about day 3 of your period. Then things start to get easier again. (Remember: everyone's different, so exact days will differ)

i don't take off days due to it (I actually dont get a period anymore due to my IUD) but I do still get a 'cycle' and plan my deload week (so I lift lighter weights, more reps) around it.

Also, I always used instead cups instead of tampons or pads. Never 'sprung a leak'

[chammy]

instead.. cups..? wat?

[ebm1224]

i think those are the things my sister uses. they literally are a cup that sits inside and collects...and then you take it out, wash and reuse. actually very eco-friendly.

[DustMite]

I use one as well, I haven't had any leakage issues since. I think they make a size for wide-set vaginas too, too bad they weren't as common when mean girls came out.

['Roos]

I use a deva cup as well (And love it!) and 'go easier' on myself a few days before and during. I tell myself I don't actually have to do MUCH, I just have to do SOMETHING, and that keeps me from the three days turning into two weeks pitfall.

[spezzy]

http://www.amazon.com/Instead-Softcups-Feminine-Protection-Count/dp/B000X29GY6

http://www.softcup.com/

There are video tutorials there

You do have to be extremely comfortable with your body to use them - there's no being shy with yourself here.

But I love them. LOVE.

[AJ1025]

My sister uses a Deva cup as well and thinks it's totally rad, highly recommends. I'm actually wiped out from the red tide myself right now so missed my workout this morning. I sometimes have a super heavy period but I usually feel better if I work out during- I only end up taking my heaviest day off, usually (which, grrrr, is today).

[Hermione Gainser]

I've not heard of these cups... but they sound pretty awesome. Might have to switch. I hate buying and throwing away all the pads and tampons.. ugh..

Anyhow.. the topic... I find I'm usually fatigued right around the start day for a couple days. I still work out and just take it a little easy (like the rest of the ladies here). The only restriction I make relates to yoga inversions. I've found my body does not appreciate being upside down when menstruating.

Like I said, I've never used the cup before but I've never had an issue with leaks. Then again, i don't have a heavy flow so I'm sure that's a factor.

[catspaw]

+1 to Deva cups. They're awesome.

[Unda]

I also reccomend cups, soooo much cheaper than paying out each month. Good luck finding them in shops though, and I don't entirely blame them. I can't really see the conversation going well:

"Hey, I have this product that you can sell for about £20 that people will pretty much only have to buy once! Wanna sell it for me?"

"Hm, won't that mean that I won't get money from women for tampons and pads each month?"

"Well, yes. But it's better for them and the enviroment, yay!"

"Get outta my shop"

"Aw."

The only period related exercise problem I have ever found is that I'm SHITE at rock climbing that week, I'm weaker and I get tired so much more easily. I've not found it's affected my weightlifting yet but I'm still building up to real weights and I've only in the last month or two been using barbells at all so I'm probably not at the level yet where it really will affect my weightlifting.

[Hermione Gainser]

I'm fairly certain this awesome independent book shop in Atlanta sells them or something close (I vaguely recall seeing a lot of alternative feminine hygiene products-sea sponge, what?).

[faraxk]

http://www.amazon.com/Instead-Softcups-Feminine-Protection-Count/dp/B000X29GY6

http://www.softcup.com/

There are video tutorials there

You do have to be extremely comfortable with your body to use them - there's no being shy with yourself here.

But I love them. LOVE.

This is absolutely fascinating! I have never even heard of these things before. I think I'll have to try them out!

[ZenGwen]

Heh.... see, I was gonna stop in here and be like "mooncup will solve all your problems" but I've been beaten to it!

Over here in the UK they're called mooncups and are available at all the big drug stores... they're really comfy, cheap and safe. Way better for working out than anything I tried before, including tampons. I was a bit nervous, but I've gone for long runs and done heavy squats with my mooncup and had absolutely no problems. Between that, hormonal birth control, and ibuprofen, I don't work around my period at all, just do what I normally would. Sometimes even more, as being really active seems to help with cramps and getting the period over with more quickly. (And this is coming from someone who had dysmenorrhea so bad I used to throw up/faint/be laid up in bed with cramps during my period.)

The only thing I'd say if you're trying out a mooncup or similar product for the first time is... be careful when trimming down the "stalk". It's for retrieval, and has some notches in it to indicate where you can cut it down with scissors to the length that's comfy for you. (Cos you don't want a bit of silicone sticking out far like a tampon string would.) It's easy to cut it down just a notch or two and think "oh this still isn't comfortable" and cut it down tons... but the thing you learn is that they kind of settle in and move farther up after you've been wearing them and moving around for like ten or fifteen minutes. And if you've cut the stalk down too much this may result in panic!

[Leimanu]

I listen to my body and take it easier when it asks for it,even if not on my period. I try to eat more leafy greens around that time to help with fatigue. And if at the gym and worrying about spotting - black pants don't show as much

We were given DivaCups in Peace Corps. Since they're reusable, it's much easier to use in a place where trash is harder to get rid of. (nothing's more embarassing than seeing a random dog or kid playing with a used pad...why oh why do they route thru my trash and love stink??) I wanted to use them, but uh, I won't get into it. I tried, and it just didn't work out. But I wanted to! It's such a great idea and they seemed so easy to use.

['Roos]

I just read back through the thread and realized something:

DEVA CUPS SHOULD BE REPLACED ONCE A YEAR.

Something about their plastic degrading over the year. Probably a good idea and still cheaper/easier than other 'feminine products'.

[BachataGoddess]

A few things I've observed for my period =)

- Since starting eating Paleo, going to sleep with a mask (so full-darkness), and exercising daily, my period has aligned with the new moon each month. At first I was nervous when I was 2+ weeks late, but a quick Google search calmed my nerves.

- I take extra time to warm-up before exercising, since I find that I feel more 'tender' during my monthlies.

- When I exercise, my cramps and bloating are less noticeable, and my overall periods are shorter.

- My main yardstick is how my body feels: If I'm feeling pretty perky, I'll go for the full workout circuit. If not, I don't feel guilty for being nice to my stressed-out body =)

[bananandrea]

I just want to comment off topic and say this thread is another reason I LOVE NF. I would never be able to ask any of my friends about this cause A)They don't work out. And B)It's kind of awkward but here is an entire thread about something I have always wondered and could never talk to anyone about. Thank you ladies of Nerd Fitness.

[BachataGoddess]

Oh, a quick note on dizziness/lightheadedness: Eating 'iron-y' foods like spinach, red meat, etc. (even iron supplements), might help you there. Iron in your system is used A) For carrying oxygen in the blood, and for regulating thyroid function. I have a bit of an iron deficiency even before my period, so once it hits, I start feeling cold, sluggish, and a bit frail until I amp up my iron intake.

[Moxie Hart]

Another "I love my divacup" girl. I absolutely do take it easy on period days, but begrudgingly I still get my bum to the gym.

As someone said above the diva cup should be replaced yearly. There is an alternative (The Keeper) which has been around longer and doesn't have to be replaced yearly because its made of different materials. I just prefer the silicone tho... *shrugs*

[mgrif99]

I had no idea menstrual cups existed. I think you ladies just changed my life. Online shopping right now...

[Moxie Hart]

I had no idea menstrual cups existed. I think you ladies just changed my life. Online shopping right now...

*nods* Finding them absolutely changed my life. I went from a period that lasted 4-5 days and made me miserable to one that lasts 2-3 days at most and is mostly pain free other than some minor pressure. I don't know why or if it is in my head, but... it happened for me.

[bananandrea]

As soon as I get my next paycheck I am investing in one of these. This sounds like a life changing experience.

[nightlight]

i love my tampon! (just had to get that out.)

i usually have to watch my lower back around my period -- it tends to feel much weaker. i also am one of those people that feel pain at a heightened level around my cycle. i tend to be mindful of it while in the gym, but really don't do anything other than that.

[bigm141414]

I find this appropriate

Annnnnd, I'm out...