Anyone got any tips for running during heavy painful periods? Having completed c25k and now consolidating, I feel frustrated that I lose a week of running during periods. It helps the pain, but I just feel wiped out. Tried running at the end of the last one and it was ok but so much less energy and was useless for the next couple of days!
Any advice gratefully received!
I was getting so down, exhausted and moody with periods as I got older that I went on the mini pill. Now I don’t have any! It’s fantastic! Can thoroughly recommend it 🤣
Thanks Tasha!
Oh my, I feel for you. Best thing about menopause is end of periods - so liberating. But I remember going through massively heavy ones - they dont go on forever, think of it as the last flushing out of your system. But goodness it fairly mess with your mental health, energy, weight distribution, temperature control..... talk about it to anyone who will listen, get your doc on board to help - dont take no for an answer. Life after is wonderful and running is great for so much post menopause. You are not alone. Happy running 🤗
Thanks Grannyhugs! It does feel like it’s going on forever! They’re getting shorter and closer together so I’m wondering if there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. I like the idea of imagining the flushing out of the system and I think I will use that. I don’t talk about it, and hesitated to post here, but thought well I could do with the benefit of some thoughts from people who have been there! I’m loving running so much and it’s benefitting so many aspects of my life. Thanks for listening and thanks for your wise words!
Never be afraid to talk about it, there may be someone else beside you thinking the same thing - a problem shared and all that. I was lucky working with 3 other females of the same age, scared the wits out of the 45 year old mind you
Thankyou for your support and encouragement. I think posting here is a first step to actually speaking about it. I think the running is helping with that, building confidence.
Running is great for confidence building as we challenge ourselves to new routes and distances, carrying that confidence over into other aspects of life is brilliant 🤗
If the hot flushes get bad you might try herbal remedies. Boots do Menopace, which is mainly black cohosh and red clover, I think. It really helps. I ended up going on HRT after the herbs stopped working as things ramped up with the flushes. It stopped the flushes but I got other side effects so only took it for a short time. Its works brilliantly for a lot of women though. If you decide to go down that route, try to get a referral to a menopause clinic.
Thankyou Fiona. Hot flushes aren’t too bad. I’ve started menopace and seeing how it goes. Bit wary of hrt as had lumpectomy 5yrs ago, but will investigate menopause clinic.
Yes, I remember that very well. I got a Mirena & that dealt with them very quickly. I'm on my 2nd now.
Thanks PandaCory.
I guess be kind to yourself. I'm 47 and haven't had a period for 4 months now. I have the flushes, exhaustion, joint aches and just the frustration of not knowing when the next one is or if there is a next one. But less of the heavy flow thing. I started running 18 months ago and find it helps with everything (except maybe the joints!) I've found I wanted more plants to eat (those phyto- oestrogens in lentils!) I haven't gone for HRT or anything. The plus side is that there have only been a couple of occasions when I've had a period at the same time as both my daughters! You can imagine what that was like in our house...
Yes I imagine there was a little tension! Thankyou - I forgot about photo-oestrogens. I’m vegetarian but haven’t had lentils for ages! So will think about my diet too. Lots of things are better since running, so I think maybe I have to keep going and have some faith as it will come to an end at some point!
I wasn't running when I went through the menopause, so can't offer any practical advice, but I do remember it well from the mental health point of view. There were a few things going on in my life all at the same time, together they made me feel useless, invisible and redundant. I wish I had been running then; I'm convinced this feeling of empowerment would have helped.
On the plus side, I can assure you that 'this too shall pass'. I feel a darned sight happier and healthier at 60 than I did at 50! It's really important to keep working on your muscle mass once you don't have estrogen to help you along. Running and cross training does help to keep everything ticking over and tight - including your pelvic floor. 😳
Best wishes 👍
Thankyou Speedy60. It’s lovely to hear you say this and have encouragement from other women who are through it! Running is definitely helping me to feel more connected to my body. “This too shall pass” may be my new mantra! Thanks 🙏🏻
Accompanying a friend doing c25k
9k run with a friend 
🍏🐘My new friend Ellie
And then a friend on Facebook posts her run...
