My HM is on 15th September, and just realised that is when my next period will be due. Pfffft! I definitely feel a lack of energy around this time, so I am a bit miffed. Though, I know many women have to race during their period, so am sure I’ll be fine. Roll on the menopause! Pfffft again.
Sadie-runs x
How exciting about the HM, Sadie. Wishing you luck. Of course we will be expecting a detailed report.
Thanks Stephen! I will write it up, if I make it, of course! 😂👍
Well... you can spare me some of the details.
🤣🤣
You will make it!
Don't be wishing for the menopause - nothing seems to work quite as well, move quite as smoothly, or heal quite as fast once you get there!!! And I don't think I noticed any increase in energy either 😀😀😀
That's not good... ( Mine.. was, (I realise now), almost unnoticeable..I was really lucky!
To be fair, I barely noticed either ... until joints started to stiffen etc. ...
I think I’ll be fine...If I am bleeding whilst running a HM, that makes me super bad ass, right?! 😂
🙁 Well that sucks, after a lifetime of monthly grumps and painful cramping! 😱
I felt amazing.... younger than ever...no horrid anything... and the plus side.. I cannot mention here 😉💕
Getting older sucks generally
I only really mind the ageing eyesight. Glasses are not the same as youthful vision
Agreed
Good luck Sadie, I can’t offer any advice in this area - I can cover blisters and that’s it! X
I do feel for you Sandie, but I wouldn’t wish an early menopause on you.
Thanks Dexy! But it wouldn’t be early; I am 48 in a couple of weeks time...
Why would anyone want to bring on the menopause? Honestly, enjoy menstruating while you still can! Lack of oestrogen is not a pleasant experience- I went on HRT and stayed on it.
Women have a surge of testosterone around their periods. If you can tap into that, you might be able to boost your energy and avoid the tiredness. Xxx
That was just a flip comment, Flick - I don’t want to menopause, but just don’t want my period to start mid-race! I always get a surge of energy a couple of days before, but once it starts I feel weak. 😱 My post was a guarded attempt to get some sympathy and perhaps some tips. 🙁 I mean, does anybody know if it’s okay to take ibruprofen on race day to deal with cramps? xxx
Looks like ibuprofen is a no: bit.ly/2Z5uwzd
Hopefully the running itself will help. I never really had bad period pains except when my body was adjusting back after two years of breast feeding (when I didn't have periods at all). My daughter does, and I think, after reading this, I need to warn her. Anyway, mega hugs and sympathy . Hopefully it won't be too bad on the day xxx
Thanks Flick. xxx It does ease off with running, that’s true. And I will definitely be avoiding the ibruprofen then! 😘
"Enjoy menstruating" ?! Sorry Flick, I know some women have an affinity with it all but I simply cannot wait for it all to stop forever.
I remember a dear friend who was upset in her 60s that she had to come off HRT and was worried that her periods would stop as it made her feel like a "real woman" I hugged her and recommended she put 1/2lb mince in her pants once a month as it smells the same (sorry!) and told her that what makes her a real woman is so much more than a monthly bleed!
Another GP, when I asked if it was OK to not have a break on the pill, said to me, "tell me why you need to bleed". When I couldn't find a reasonable response she said, "exactly", no reason whatsoever to have one if you don't want to.
I have too much oestrogen I think which causes bad mood swings etc so I take progesterone to even it out but I really, really, can't wait for it all to go away and also take with it all those, "but aren't you going to have children" questions! Then I can just say, nope, too late, instead of having to justify myself over and over. 😔
Menopause isnt just about stopping periods. If you are lucky you will come through it fairly unscathed. If not you can look forward to loss of libido ( this doesn’t just mean sex, it means not wanting to hug anyone or listen to music or be creative), joint pain and stiffness, hair loss, osteoporosis, heart disease and eventually dementia. You might be lucky and get none of these, or you might have just some or the lot.
People on HRT who have a womb need to bleed because they need some progesterone to protect from uterine cancer, and it’s progesterone that causes a drop in oestrogen levels that in turn causes the menstrual bleed.
Why do you need to justify not having children? It’s nobody’s business than your own and your partner’s. You don’t owe anyone else an explanation. If you answer and the person wants to discuss it, close the conversation down.
Incidentally, I didn’t have the equivalent of half a pound of mince in my pants when I was menstruating as I used tampons, and later sponges then a moon cup. However, I’m not disgusted by natural bodily functions - just as well or pregnancy and childbirth would have been a bit of a problem.
It isn't anyone else's business yet many feel it's ok to pry.
It's not just the general disgust at having to deal with monthly bleeding, I really do think women need to see themselves as more than just a breeding machine. For anyone to think their life stops when their periods do is sad, just as for a fella to experience ED or full on impotence. Its only a small part of life.
Who knows what I'll get when it ends but I know I certainly won't miss it or the distress it has caused in the past.
Personally I’ve never seen myself as just a breeding machine. Actually I don’t know anyone else who does either.
Well anyone who thinks their usefulness is over once they can no longer bear children might...
It's not aimed at you Flick, there are a lot of women who do feel that they are not "real women" post menopause which is crazy.
I'm just saying i've never met one. I see creative, engaged women who do or don't have children but don't stop other areas of their lives. There can be a sadness when you realise you cant have more children, especially for people who wanted more, but it's a passing grief, like the loss you feel when your child leaves home - you adjust. However, loss of libido after menopause can indeed make people feel life is over. It can be grey and pain filled (in a physical sense).
Anyway, when i said enjoy periods while you can, it was said with irony as in what comes next can be worse - and it can!
Eeeeek. I wish I’d never glibly mentioned the menopause now! I didn’t mean for the discussion to go this way, sorry everyone. Just highlighting something that was a concern for me. Everyone is different, and who knows what my menopause will bring, but hearing horror stories about how bad it can be is not helpful! What will be will be. I will try and embrace it as the next stage of my life when it happens. But my periods are incredibly painful, and of course right now I say I will be glad to see the back of them!
Don't worry! In depth heated discussions are great! Plus who knows who it might help. It's one of those lesser discussed subjects.
I know a lot of women who breezed through menopause and of course I'm hoping it'll go that way for me but either way, that too shall pass! 👍🏻😁
You don’t have to put up with a bad menopause. That’s what HRT is for 😊
I agree with Jo, it’s one of those little discussed subjects and I think women’s voices have a right to be heard. Also I think women have a right to be better informed about menopause: there is a kind of universal assumption that menopause is the end of your reproductive tackle woes, where for many it’s only the beginning. Male medical people and younger medical Professional women are very against HRT because of the slight increase in risk for breast cancer, but every post menopausal medical woman I’ve spoken to is in favour of HRT, and many many female GPS are on it. Women have a right to know these things and not be dictated to by male doctors and consultants.
Anyway Sadie, to get back to running! I hope you solve the issue on the day xxx
HRT saved my mum from debilitating panic attacks. I will be right on it the minute I feel I need it. 😊 xxx
Oh yes, I have suffered the prying, and it is awful. Nobody questions my partner on it, interestingly...
Definitely! No one questions a blokes decision not to, only a womans! Or you get the sideways look and the "oh I'm sure you'll change your mind later!" 🤣🤣🤣 aye, right then.
Hi Sadie - I know what you mean. I’m worse a couple of days before - very low energy. On the day cramping then boom back to normal! I’ve heard the dr can prescribe a pill to skip a period if it’s really bad. But I think you may be too late to rake that.
Mine is due before so hopefully will be ok. 🤞 Xx
Thanks for the sympathy, dear Alka. 😘 Well, there’s nothing I can do so will just have to get on with it! xxx
You can still get the tablets. Northisterone or something to stop bleeding but you do get a bit of cramping with it but nothing much.
I think I’ll just woman up and run through it! I am blowing it out of proportion, knowing me. 😂
I have said to GPs for years if blokes had to deal with this crap there would be a "cure"!! 🤣 I've never had one disagree either 👍🏻
If you're on the pill just start the next pack and don't take the break.
I use the minipill specifically so I never have to have a period, I just can't cope with them on many levels 😔
It's been scientifically proven that it's an actual miracle that women can function at all especially those first few days! 🤣
Well, that’s what makes us totally baddass in my book, Jo! I am not on the mini pill, so sadly that’s not an option. Hopefully the pain in my legs during the HM will distract from the cramps! 😂 xx
Ach you'll be grand Sadie. I've got some of my best 5k times at annoying cyclical times! Doesn't make much difference at all for half distances, just take a paracetamol if you need to (never ibuprofen, I learnt that the hard way 🤮) and enjoy your day. 😎
Thanks Sqkr, this is just what I needed to hear! 😊 Actually, just come in from an 8k run on day 2 of my cycle, and it was fine. Relieved the pain a bit too. Just experiencing a bit of maranoia and worrying about the wrong things! 😂😂😂
I was very fortunate in that I had no issues with either. I started running after the menopause though, so I know no different energy-wise. 😀
I’m sure you’ll be fine with your race Sadie. How about extra jelly babies/gels/whatever your boost fuel of choice is? Or wouldn’t they be enough? 🤔
Sorry, pretty unhelpful. Can’t wait for your race report to see if you found something to help! 🏃♀️🏃♀️
No, you have been helpful by being reassuring! Thanks Cheeky. 😘
Oh good! I’m sure you’ll gazelle through your HM, no problem. 🏃♀️👊🎉👍
You'll smash it ..! You will have adrenaline to get you through, plus you have been training and are prepared xxx
Argh the menopause...or as I like to call it the moanapause. After 6 different doctors I finally got HRT patches. I didn't want to use them but I was having a hard time with the symptoms particularly joint pain, muscle weakness, fatigue, dizziness, acid reflux, panic attacks, and
feeling faint which made it really difficult to exercise. If I don't exercise I get depressed. Pleanty of women don't have an issue with the menopause others do. You just don't know until it happens how your body will react. Also the final straw was reading that the symptoms can last for years...literally 10 years. B*****ks too that. Patches please!
I hope so, Snuffy! Thanks for being so positive. 😊 Yep, the menopause does sound like a doozie...I will not hesitate to medicate my way out of that! xxx
Whaaaaaaat??? Bring on the menopause???? Omg, I'm dreading that!! I know it's bad timing and I often feel sluggish at that time of the month but I just run at an easy pace and you'll have to do the same...dont let those gremlins into your head at this stage, you've worked so hard to get here and they are NOT going to spoil it for you...enjoy the experience Sadie-runs , you've got quite an audience and we cant wait to hear you bursting with excitement when you finish xxxxxx
I was kidding! I don’t want it yet! And thanks dear MC. 😘 The thing is, I am pretty pig headed when it comes to me running, so no matter the period pain, I won’t give in; I’ll find the energy from somewhere... 😁👍 xxx
We all know you will lovely Sadie, the adrenaline will see to that xx
Ohhh interesting post and comments!
Hopefully u will be OK and have plenty of energy 😊
The menopause is bit of a nightmare really... Cooler runs can still be hot.
Sadie you are one determined girl, so paracetamol up & I know you’ll be your super self. 😄
.. and menopause can be fine ( yes even without HRT), there’s nothing like having a hot flush at a bus stop on a freezing cold day!! 😂😂
Ha ha! Thanks lovely Elfe! 😁 x
my reading on the subject suggests that you are more physically resistant during your period as your body knows you aren't pregnant and so holds nothing in reserve "just in case"
it may be annoying and frustrating, but your body is apparently prepared to give you a bit more of everything than it does during the rest of the month
hope than helps (mentally if nothing else)
Oh that is SO interesting - and gives me hope! Thank you so much. 😘
Too quick to discount PR result.
Groundhog days running 🥴
