Source
r/loseit•
DreadTown

Periods and intense workouts (TMI)

Hi, I’m a 19 year old female, 169 cm, SW: 89kg, GW: 65kg, CW: 82 kg. I have a question for other ladies who work out a lot. I started running in January, had my period when it was supposed to happen, took a break, because usually my periods are extremely painful (my uterus is placed at an angle from where it’s actually supposed to be, and that causes a lot of pain). Started running again after that. Then I bought a gym membership and started working out everyday for at least an hour: running for 1.8-2.4 km, bike 3-5 km, and after that either strength training or swimming. Couple of days ago I got my period but it was really strange. I don’t feel any pain and there’s very little blood. Like on the last 5-7 days of my regular period, what I track in Clue as ‘spotting’. Currently I’m not working out because I’m afraid that pain will hit me during exercise.

Could these 2 things be connected somehow? My friend told me that that amount of exercise causes a rise of testosterone production in a woman and I know that testosterone messes with your period and makes it irregular or not as noticeable. Is that the case? Because she, of course, didn’t provide a source, and I’m kinda worried. Should I be worried?

Posted Feb 18, 2019, 2:48 PM UTC

314
frevernewbNew•

I have no science to back this up, but I have noticed if I continue working out through my period the pain is lessened and my period is just more “pleasant” in general.

7
fleepo10000New•

Congrats! Not a cause for concern. There is something called functional hypothalamic amenorrhea which is basically you work out so hard or eat so little that your body decides not to waste energy on your period anymore. But it is completely reversible if you gain weight back. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/87/2/500/2846590

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2
niccig35F | 5'2" | SW181 | CW144 | GW125•

This is life goals right here! (only sort of kidding)

2
fleepo10000New•

It's happened to me before and I was pretty thrilled about it, not gonna lie.

3
DreadTownOP19F|169cm (5’6’’) |SW:89kg|CW:79kg|GW:65kg•

Well, I don’t want to regain the weight, I’m still overweight and was obese when I started losing it. Will my period be normal if I stop working out and eat at maintenance after I reach my goal weight?

1
fleepo10000New•

Probably, because your body would no longer be under stress. You could probably even work out moderately and your period would be fine.

2
VitreousCrown62New•

That's something I noticed too. When I'm working hard and lose three or so pounds my flow will be lighter. Once I settle into that weight it goes back to normal. It did that with college too. The months where I didn't sleep and stressed over exams it would be super light.

From what I've read your period could fluctuate based on stress, more/less exercise, and types of food and drink you consume. I wouldn't worry but if you're still concerned go see your primary physician and ask.

2
macandsierraF19,5'6" SW:277lb CW:214lb•

I have dysmenorrhea, and everything I’ve heard/read to reduce the pain mentions exercise, so it’s very normal for regular exercise to reduce the pain and it won’t help you to skip exercise. I don’t know about the lighter flow, but I wouldn’t stress.

1
DreadTownOP19F|169cm (5’6’’) |SW:89kg|CW:79kg|GW:65kg•

The flow really weirds me out, because usually I easily go through 2 maxipads a day, and now 1 small one is too much.

1
Not-A_MimicF21 [5’7][SW285lb][CW237lb][GW180] Dog watcher, mostly walking. •

I know the puberty book(I know...) I got as a child mentioned runners just get less of a period in general. I wish I check the sources for you but I have no way of finding it.

1
yankeebelles33F | 5'6" | sw 354 | cw 264•

Workouts make mine less too. I went from a 6 week long one to 3 days in just 2 months.

1
DreadTownOP19F|169cm (5’6’’) |SW:89kg|CW:79kg|GW:65kg•

Wow. A huge difference. And you’re healthy with that change?

1
yankeebelles33F | 5'6" | sw 354 | cw 264•

Well, it was the only time it went over 10 days, usually it was a full 7. It also want regular, now it is. It's a healthy change for sure. It's crazy how much one thing can change your body, and not just the physical appearance.

1
DreadTownOP19F|169cm (5’6’’) |SW:89kg|CW:79kg|GW:65kg•

Thank you for the details.

1