Running and endometriosis

[ellieflannels]

Hello

I’ve recently been diagnosed with suspected endometriosis, and waiting for a coil to be fitted at the end of April. I’ve also recently taken up running (couch to 5k) and I absolutely love it, but I’m finding that I’m having period like pains while running which this evening became really severe after I finished my run for about 10 mins. I’m not on my period, and not due for another few weeks.

I can only assume it’s related, and wondering if anyone else has experienced the same? I really don’t want to give up the running, as it’s done wonders for both my mental and physical health so looking for suggestions if anything can help, and I suppose whether I can expect this to get better after my coil.

Thanks in advance

[Lily1986]

Hello.

I have stage 4 endo and sadly I used to get the same with running, it seemed to really aggravate it and leave me in a lot of pain for a long while after.

When I was able to, I preferred going for countryside walks instead just because it was more gentle and now I’m unable to and miss it a lot. Xx

[Jac915]

I have pain near navel and on the side long before got diagnosed endo. The other friends I ran with also sometimes got those pain

I am also a long term beginner runner >_< so not the serious type

My doctor wasn’t worried saying it might be muscle or whatever , just run more slowly .

I don’t have a coil though , I am on pills

[Adeno2020]

Hi!

I’m also suspected endo awaiting on my lap but I started running beginning of the very first lockdown with severe cramping and even light bleeds from the impact of running

[PoeLaBaer]

I started having endo symptoms 6/7 years ago and started running 5.5 years ago and I’ve kept running ever since because like you I found it helped my mental and physical health. When I have a bad flare up I find it physically impossible to run so I have to walk for about a week but walks really help, I think it’s helpful to keep moving somehow. I have found sometimes if I’ve gone too hard on a run I feel sick and can be a bit crampy so I think slowing down a bit is good advice. Don’t worry too much about your speed, anything quicker than a walk where you pick your feet up is classed as a run in my book. C25K is about time on your feet, not the distance (the name is misleading really). I rarely get to 5K in sub-30 min which is what the programme seems to expect. Slow down a bit and concentrate on time instead because you won’t keep doing something if you don’t enjoy it.

[ellieflannels]

Thanks for all your replies, it’s comforting that I’m not the only one who has experienced this! I am doing my next run tomorrow AM and will try and slow down a little to see if it helps!