running and endo

[LB2712]

Hi all,

I was diagnosed earlier this year and enjoy running when not in pain. Annoyingly sometimes when I run (for only 25/35 mins) a severe shooting pain starts in my legs and an intense contracting pain in my womb, I feel like I’m going to faint. I stop running and need to sit on the loo while the pain lasts about 10/15 minutes. The pain then subsides in intensity but remains for the rest of the day. This happens on days when I’m not in pain so feels quite directly triggered by aerobic exercise - it doesn’t happen when doing non cardio things like Pilates for example. I have been researching and there seems to be a link between prostaglandins and endo and running - does anyone know anything about this? I wonder if it depends on the time in my cycle etc. any ideas or experience would be so appreciated.

thank you!

[chickaloo]

Sorry to hear that running is causing you so much pain. Before I had the Mirena IUD fitted, I used to get similar sharp abdominal cramps and an almost-fainting sensation when I ran right before my period was due (sometimes on day 1 when I didn't realise my period had pretty much started before going out for a run). If I tried to power through it would just get worse. It usually subsided in intensity after a little while and became more like my usual period pain (which still wasn't great!). I learned to avoid running at that point in my cycle, but it was so frustrating because running is my favourite form of exercise! Have you been making a note of when the pain happens - can you see any patterns linked to your cycle (period/ovulation)? If it's more random than that, it may be worth speaking to a GP, just in case.

[BloomingMarvellous]

As well as the prostaglandin issue I would highly recommend you look at the effect on the pelvic floor. If you go to Leah Bruegs insta feed @leahbrueg she does an interview about an hour long with specialist pelvic physio Dr Angie Muller . I think it’s number 52 on her podcast list. Standard core and physio can aggrevate endo and it’s worth grasping the nettle on a different approach to help yourself.