Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Running and Menstruation

[Note- this is one topic I'm obviously not qualified to discuss.  Ladies, especially ladies with ultra experience: How do you handle this?  Feel free to comment about cramping, keeping clean, affects on performance, logistics, etc.  Leave your advice in the comments section.  I'll attribute the contribution to your name you leave.  ;-)]






10 comments:

  1. Well I'm not at ultra-runner, but love running and do long enough MBT things to have had to confront this issue. It's not so nice! But I recently discovered something that has totally rendered the problem obsolete for me, the menstrual cup. It only needs attention every 12 hours, is much more comfortable than the other options, fine to use in the just-in-case-but-not-yet situation, and is *ultra* reliable! So that could work for short ultras!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with Nicole. I've been using a Diva Cup for several years now and couldn't think of going back to tampons. I don't run ultra's (yet) but I know the cup can stay in place for many, many hours and can be emptied and re inserted easily. It's great for traveling too.
      It may take a couple of days or cycles to learn how to position it properly but after that you forget it's there.

      Delete
    2. Ditto on that. I've been using the Diva Cup for a few years now as well. It worked great for my last 50k! The learning curve on getting it positioned and inserted right is a bit steep (at least it was for me, but I'm a slow learner).

      Running while cramping just sucks though.

      Delete
  2. I personally have no problem with that, it's the time prior. I simply CAN NOT RUN. Meaning my times drop considerably as I can't seem to hold pace, not only that it always seems I'm prone to injury then too. The only way I know to get around it is to slow down. I've even cut my runs short if I have a pain somewhere that seems suspicious.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Also not an ultrarunner but I have no problem with any of this because I have a Mirena IUD and don't get periods or PMS or much of anything in that sense. I guess it's not necessarily a solution for everyone but if one is really pretty serious about this and not in a situation where a mild amount of hormones would be bad, it might be an option.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Get a hysterectomy. This is the only thing that worked for me. I would have severe cramping for 12 to 18 hours after a long run. I always had a problem with excessive bleeding and clotting even with being athletic all my life and having a low body fat percentage. I tried birth control pills and a uterine ablation with no success. My post run pain is virtually gone. I opted to keep one ovary to avoid early menopause. I have cysts on my ovary that can be painful and can affect my running performance. I often work through the pain but my nutrition choices can help with the pain. Women's bodies are very depleted during their menstrual cycle and nutrition is very important. I understand a hyst is not optimal for everyone but if a woman is done having kids and has problems it is a solution that works. Thanks for addressing this issue.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I find that when my wife is menstruating, it is a particularly good time to do my back-to-back long runs and am fairly certain that this makes things easier for all involved.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I run much better during the worst days of my period. I run the worst during ovulation. I have friends who are just the opposite. I carry a small snack-size baggie with a tampon, a wet wipe and a vinyl glove in it. I can put on the glove, change the tampon, pull the glove inside out, put the whole thing in the baggie and zip it up until I can get somewhere i can throw it away. Minus the tampon, the same thing works for unexpected trail poops.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I a an Ultrarunner and have used a diva cup-like product with much success. Holds up to a 50m race just swell. But, I am older and don't deal with heavy periods anymore. Might not be as effective with someone who does. I find that when I am pms-ing a run is what I NEED, and helps with the cramps. I may feel like shit, but my times don't vary much.

    ReplyDelete