Working out when on the rag (obviously, TMI)

[Anonymous]

Class not call

[Anonymous]

I went to the gym today with my older, male boss. I get to the gym and oh, hello!, I've started my period. I had no tampons or pads so I stuck a wad of TP in my undies. And off I went. If I was alone, I'd have run back up to my desk but clearly wasn't about to have that convo with my boss.

The point is that you'll get to place where *nothing* will stop you from wanting to work out (and yes, by the end of my workout, I was a mess. Thank God for black workout pants and showers.)

[Anonymous]

Not OP, but I have been jogging 5-6 days a week for several years. However, when I'm on my period all bets are off. I had IUE to address heavy periods that left me anemic and even though it's much better now, I still have gross clotting and cramping. If I were to put tissues in my underwear on the first day of my period I would bleed through it in minutes. I have to use a super tampon AND a pad for the first 2 days. I have friends who bleed for 3 days and never have to use more than a regular tampon and I can't even imagine that. So it's not always just excuses - it can be a major inconvenient PITA.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think the solution is to make sure you go to the gym every day (or every week day, whatever). If you're having a heavy day, just walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes. At least you'll be up and moving and keep the gym habit.

[Anonymous]

Talk to your dr about pills for the heavy bleeding. I have that issue too and take lysterda (sp?). You take these pills only during your cycle and I haven't noticed any side effects and my flow is drastically less.

Good luck. I'm overweight and try to keep a workout schedule. It's hard because I hate it too

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP to talk to your doctor about possible solutions.

[Anonymous]

Okay, I'm going to go there. Please don't resurrect the crocheted tampon thread.
I use a menstrual cup. The first 1-2 days are super, super heavy so instead of emptying the cup 2x/day I'm emptying more like every 2 hours.

The cup is good b/c it's hidden. Pads shift. Yuck. Also, I hate worrying about that kind of thing bc it's so distracting. Cup + pantyliner.

Empty at the gym, right before working out. Empty right after workout, before shower. Problem solved. Cramps can generally be solved with a few pills, if not you really ought to see your doctor.

FWIW I do spin, bodypump, and an advanced conditioning class and have never, ever had an issue with leakage due to the movements, etc.

[Anonymous]

Hey OP, can we have an update? I'm a po that told you to just go. Have you been going?

[Anonymous]

It seems to me this would only be an issue if you're at the gym 7 days a week. There are plenty of workouts you can do at home on heavy bleed days if you don't feel like being in public. There are a million DVDs on Amazon and if you have cable, there is free stuff on Exercise of FitTV onDemand. Most of these require no equipment or just some dumbbells from Target.

You don't have to be in a gym to get in a workout.

[Anonymous]

I'll be the lone dissenter here and say just skip the first day of your period. Mine are very heavy and I get bad cramps and feel pretty weak all over. I give my body a break for just a couple days and then restart. I have a full 7 day heavy period, I don't skip the entire week just the one or two days that I need.

I'm a firm believer in listening to your body and if you need rest then definitely rest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stick a tampon up there and stick on a pad too. You do not have to do a heavy work out, but not sure why you would opt out of it. You are not working out with your vagina. Unless you are in pain while on your period, major cramps, back aches, headache, etc just go and use the bathroom often. Working out actually helps with the cramps.

You must be a man. I too am PP almost 2 years but the amount of blood now is more than I ever have had and then changing and showering at the gym and I knwo I smelll it really is holding me back from working out.