Question for the women ONLY (slightly tmi)
 

You've been warned, guys.

Anyways, what do you ladies do when you get on your period? Do you take exercise breaks or keep going with it? I ask this because every time I get in the habit of exercising every day it always gets ruined once I 'start'. I absolutely can not exercise on it, but then not exercising all those days makes it super hard to start back up. Any advice?

Still do it. Even if I'm really crampy and think to myself, no way do I want to do this, after finishing I always find it's actually really helped with the cramps.

TMI BELOW!


If going to the gym, I wear a tampon, an ultra-thin pad, two pairs of undies and two pairs of pants (eg leggings + shorts, dark colours!) just for my own piece of mind just in case I leak. Never have though.

TMI:

Here lately cramps have not been the probably. Leaking has been. *blush* But, yeah, I probably should still keep at it. Thanks, GoldenLeaf.

When I was more consistent with exercising (just starting back up) I would just work through any cramps. Usually exercising helped me feel better when I was done, even if it was just walking on the treadmill.

if leaking is a problem.. I just double up.. tampon and pad. TMI!

I still exercise, it eases my cramps, makes me less grumpy, and mine is usually light so the leaking isn't an issue for me, but I'm sure a tampon paired with a pad would be enough protection to stop leaks.

For leaking, you might want to try different brands of tampons. I would bet tampons are one of those things where different brands work better for different people, due to anatomy, etc. I found I leak less with OB, and my first full day is very heavy. I also change right before I start exercising.

a lot of people have more success controlling leakage with products like the divacup or the softcup. I know a lot of marathon runners who swear by them.

Glad you started this thread...


What about for those that like to swim for exercise? I do lane swimming and aqua pilates. (and also not really comfortable with tampons)

Actually when im working out its the only time i dont feel symptoms of my period, but i will admit during that time of month i have to do a lot of extra motivating to get me to the gym, i tend to try to make excuses however one im done it was so worth it

I'm another one who uses a Diva Cup. It really is better at controlling leaks, and is especially good for swimming. There can be a bit of a learning curve for using it, but once you get the hang of it, it really does make having your period a much easier experience.

I absolutely keep it up & have found it to be miraculous in terms of both slowing up my flow and reducing those nasty period-related symptoms (joy).

Since I've had 2 kids & am enjoying my somewhat damaged postpartum body, I tend to stay away from too much high impact stuff the first couple of days to avoid several embarassing problems. But I do enjoy a good Pilates or low impact aerobics session (I use DVDs) or even just an serious power walk. I don't wait the full week, though, to boost up the cardio. You are right, it would be like constantly starting over again - which would be TOUGH!!

I second (or third) the "doubling up" method. And always wear something tight on the bottom to keep everything in place - even if you put baggier clothes on top. It will make you feel more secure (and seems to help with cramping for some reaon!).

I use those new Playtex Sport tampons and they work pretty well, I liked them alot..no leaks so far :)

Thank goodness for this thread, because I always imagine other women in spin class or Pilates or yoga having these dainty, scentless, ladylike, barely-there periods .... meanwhile I'm panicking in the stall in the ladies' locker room at the gym, just before class, handling the largest, most absorbent tampon in the world that I can find (I mean, I've thought about telling BP that maybe they should think about using this product to help stop the Gulf oil spill ....) and also doubling up a maxipad the size of a blackboard eraser in my underwear. I'm so glad to hear I'm not a freak & that others share my worries.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha, Saef!!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Your comment about the blackboard eraser was so hilarious!!! I know exactly what you mean...

Definitely going to buy a Diva Cup. I'm actually excited to get my period to see how this thing works. lol

I would highly recommend a diva cup. I have one and it is great. I have really heavy flow days but I can go a few hours before emptying my cup. I used to have leakage problems with tampons but not with the diva cup. Plus it is better for the environment.

I'm another one who LOVES my Divacup. Honestly, I will never use another tampon or pad in my life, if I can avoid it. I had a friend recommend it to me a couple years before I bucked up and bought one, and my first reaction was "why the **** didn't I listen to you sooner?"

I've never tried tampons or a Divacup. I've just been slapping on pads this whole time. Very uncomfortable doing jumping jacks or getting up and off the floor with a big pad on. lol. Thanks for the advice, ladies! Oh, and I think I'll look into that tea, though for some strange reason I haven't had a single cramp this time around. I think it's because I started exercising, and had done it on up until my period got heavy.

I don't have that time of month anymore but my DD swears by the Divacup... It's very flexible and would probably be more comfortable than a tampon... I wish I could try it LOL...

I do keep working out, even though I don't want to. I do have cramps, but usually they are not terrible and that's not what stops me...it's my flow. It is SO heavy and I just feel gross when I'm on my period. I don't want to exercise, but I do, and I'm always glad I did in the end.

Hey, ladies. I have another question. Did anyone's flow get worse and last longer once they started exercising? I don't really have a pattern, anyway, but every time I take exercise up again (after stopping) it always makes my period longer and sometimes heavier.

Saef - You crack me up! :cool:
Others - I recommend the doubling up method! Plus exercising does make me feel better during this dreadfulness but, of course, it is the getting going that is the obstacle! As with everything else in my life it is the damn inertia! :devil:

I use tampons, double up with a liner or pad if it's heavy flow time, and I like to wear well-fitting underwear or spandex, too. Birth control reduced the flow, but I find that running increases flow. I figured it just had to do with increased blood flow in general, and all the shaking around.

I feel worse if I let my period get in the way of activities I want to do.

When I was younger I used to get horrible 7-8 day periods that were insanely heavy and required going to the washroom every few hours. I don't know if it was because of the weight gain, but I only get light 3 day long ones now.

For me a tampon is just enough to keep me leak free on the treadmill, and I do wear black sweat pants (I keep the white ones in the closet this time of the week).

For working out, I once heard you lose more weight if you exercise on your period. I don't know if that's true, but I tell myself it is and it always pushes me to go. I think it has something to do with the fact that your more tired and sluggish but still pushing through it to work out.

Not sure if it's true though :P haha

Well, that would definitely motivate me. :)