Site navigation and social media links
Is That Time of The Month Cramping Your Style?
Health | November 12, 2014
Let’s face it ladies, sometimes our menstrual cycles can be more exhausting than cycling the Tour de France! Between the bloating and the cramping and even the mood swings our periods can definitely throw us out of sync. In fact, the pain and cramping can be the most difficult aspect to manage during our periods.
Especially for younger women, dysmenorrhea – the fancy term for menstrual pain – is the most common cause for missing days of work or skipping out on class. Though the severity of pain and symptoms gradually lessens as we get older or have children, it can be a downright nuisance.
Often our first instinct may be to reach for the medicine cabinet. Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen may help in the short-term, but these are not the best long-term solutions nor should they be treated as such. Some of us may opt for hormonal birth control to alleviate symptoms. This is also considered an effective remedy for some, though some women suffer side effects.
For us warriors there may be an even better, more long-term solution to alleviate the symptoms of menstrual pain and stress. Some of you may have already experienced this if you’ve been with me long enough, but consistent exercise has been shown to reduce the severity of menstrual pain.
According to Dr. Gustavo Rossi at Virginia Hospital in Arlington, exercise alleviates cramps by releasing beta-endorphins. These endorphins have an analgesic effect on pain including menstrual pain. Think of these endorphins as a kind of ice pack on your cramps – they dull the severity. Endorphins released during exercise also burn up prostaglandins – the biochemical responsible for cramps – at a much faster rate than when we remain sedentary according to Dr. Rossi.
As always, consistency is key. Noticeable effects are only felt when women exercise at least three times a week. That’s nothing for us warriors! Ladies, share your experiences with working out and how it affected your monthly cycle.
Private Member |
Great post!
Private Member |
florida, usa
My dance teacher would always ignore my whining and tell me that moving your body during your cycle helps cramps. I have definitely noticed this is true, and even though my cramps are pretty mild, they still affect me because they are constant unless I take medicine, which I try not to do most of the time. Other natural remedies I’ve heard about and love are ~1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses (I usually put it in my oatmeal), caffeine, heating pad (amazing!), and ginger. Love this post as it’s hardly ever discussed in female trainers but it’s an issue that affects so many women! Thanks for talking about this Zuzka 🙂
Private Member |
I am a nurse and I want to let you all know the birth control only masks the problem. It will never solve what’s really going on. Also, research is showing that the pill causes breast and cervical cancer. There is a method that can diagnose the symptoms of menstral pain, PMS, abnormal bleeding, infertility or avoiding pregnancy, any women’s health issues, and much more….it’s NaPro Technology. The system works with your body, diagnosing the problem, and solving it by nautual means. You don’t have to suffer anymore or take medications that will increase you risk for blood clots, cancer, stroke, heart attack, etc. I encourage all of you to read about it. Health care professionals have to though special training in order to practice this technology. I hope you found this helpful.
Private Member |
I have experienced a different sort of issue with working out- amenorrhea. After years of having a normal period, I began exercising more intensely and my periods disappeared completeley for over a year. Though this (i have heard many times) is common among female athletes- I have found highly variable advice from doctors and forums. Some say to stop exercising, others say to continue. Does anyone else have experience with this aspect of exercise? Or advice? Thanks!
Private Member |
Try eating more fat; you need it to make hormones and absorb vitamins.
Private Member |
Another thing that helps is B-6 and B-12. I used to take the supplements, but I do way better if I get it through delicious butternut squash, which I could easily eat 3 cups of in a day. AND vitamin B6 also helps with mood/depression so it will calm the mood swings!
Private Member |
I love working on my period! Is that weird? I actually feel relief when I start, and so much better during and after 🙂 Thanks Z!
~Jess
Private Member |
Zuzka, I miss your coffee talks too, you are the part of my life. You are conquering the world Zuzka!!
Private Member |
maroubra, nsw, australia
Just wanted to add that MAGNESIUM is an amazing and natural relief for Menstrual cramps (muscle cramps), & anxiety and is something women are usually missing enough of in their diet, try taking a dose of this next time before reaching for the NSAIDS.
Private Member |
I second that. I’ve used Natural Calm for emergencies.
Private Member |
It’s true! I have great issues with menstrual cramps and I’ve been on the ZGYM for 2 and a half months now and i only had cramps 1 day and it wasn’t the whole day as it usually does. Another thing, I’ve been reading about the menstrual cup, how it helps to ease the cramps and infections because you no longer use pads or tampons that contain chemicals, does any of you warriors know more about the subject? or use a menstrual cup? I’ve read that they are a great option for working out, although our ZGYM workouts are no common workouts 🙂
Private Member |
maroubra, nsw, australia
Hi Danie, thank you for your comment. absolutely using cups is better and reduces symptoms etc, and is just better! For the environment, for the body.
Using HIIT exercise as well, this cuts down the cramps so much!
Private Member |
Thank you Z and everyone for this post and comments!
My periods have become far worse and more painful since having my 3rd child (and 2nd c-section). I don’t like taking ibuprofen but it is the only medication that alleviates pain and actually helps to lessen the flow enough so I can leave the house if I need to.
I will most assuredly be trying the remedies everyone has recommended here as I absolutely do not want to continue with cycles like this!