Running issues (for ladies)

[afnaechiquita]

Has anyone here experienced menstrual-like cramps while running? The past couple of months I get them 10-15 minutes into a run, and I'll stop and walk for five-ten minutes, they disappear, and then I continue on again like nothing happened. Went to the dr. today on an unrelated issue and she verified there's nothing going on to cause them. If you've experienced it, how have you dealt with it? I've googled a bit and have found some recommendations to take ibuprofen before a run, but was curious to see any other solutions.

[Tropical Wilds]

I have endo problems, so to help out, I increased my iron and protein. About a week or so later, problems were totally cleared up.

[joan4mickey]

I would NOT take ibuprofen before a run. And I'm surprised you read something like that as it is not good on the system to do.

[afnaechiquita]

Originally Posted by Tropical Wilds

I have endo problems, so to help out, I increased my iron and protein. About a week or so later, problems were totally cleared up.

My dr ruled out endo (I was actually misdiagnosed with it!), but I wonder if doing the same would help.

Originally Posted by joan4mickey

I would NOT take ibuprofen before a run. And I'm surprised you read something like that as it is not good on the system to do.

Internet forums, as good as wiki That's why I was curious to see what others may have done.

[Tropical Wilds]

Originally Posted by afnaechiquita

My dr ruled out endo (I was actually misdiagnosed with it!), but I wonder if doing the same would help.

Well, it can't hurt to get iron and protein, so maybe it's a solution? LoL!

[dewingedpixie]

Though I do not have this problem I will say please do not take ibuprophen before a run. I take NSAIDs daily, and I'm monitored for liver dammage and kidney dammage. I dont have a choice without them I cannot run. However I also have a team of doctors who monitor my situation closely, and I drink more than most athletes plus I take salt supplements.

I advise anyone training or racing do not take NSAIDs without guidance of a doctor. It is extremely risky practice and has to be monitored.

You should talk to your doctor about your issue. They may have pelvic floor stability exercises that could help fix your problem.

[afnaechiquita]

Originally Posted by dewingedpixie

Though I do not have this problem I will say please do not take ibuprophen before a run. I take NSAIDs daily, and I'm monitored for liver dammage and kidney dammage. I dont have a choice without them I cannot run. However I also have a team of doctors who monitor my situation closely, and I drink more than most athletes plus I take salt supplements.

I advise anyone training or racing do not take NSAIDs without guidance of a doctor. It is extremely risky practice and has to be monitored.

You should talk to your doctor about your issue. They may have pelvic floor stability exercises that could help fix your problem.

As I said above, I read that advice on other blogs/forums, and it was the only advice I'd found so I was curious to see what experiences people had here as I'd rather not go that route. I talked to my dr about it today but she didn't really have a solution since there is nothing happening to cause it, and it goes away after walking. She said to just keep track if it worsens. I'd rather not have to stop in the middle of a run to walk it out.

Re: pelvic stability, I did see a mention of that somewhere else too. I haven't been doing core workouts as much lately, so maybe that is my problem! I'll start adding more back in.

Thanks!!

[fairestoneofall]

i don't have cramping, but i DO have to take fiber regularly. if i don't, i get other issues.

what do you eat before you run? i definitely think eating right makes a huge difference as well. i usually run in the mornings and have only had coffee and a banana. sometimes, i'll eat an egg too.

(and i know that coffee probably isn't the best, but i'm not giving it up.)

[afnaechiquita]

Originally Posted by fairestoneofall

i don't have cramping, but i DO have to take fiber regularly. if i don't, i get other issues.

what do you eat before you run? i definitely think eating right makes a huge difference as well. i usually run in the mornings and have only had coffee and a banana. sometimes, i'll eat an egg too.

(and i know that coffee probably isn't the best, but i'm not giving it up.)

I run in the evenings, before dinner so it's generally been three-ish hours since my last snack/meal. It's never been a problem for me though until recently, so I don't think that's the issue. I have switched from an oatmeal breakfast to a greek yogurt-based fruit smoothie breakfast, but I don't think that would impact me that much later in the day? Fiber and everything that goes along with it are normal as well.

I'm just annoyed with having to stop in the middle of running.

I know many runners who need their coffee - it is what it is!!

[tinkerbell8903]

I had a similar issues about 10 years ago that bothered me to the point that I stopped running. After I had my girls I tried to pick up running again and the pain and pressure got worse. I was never able to find something to help relieve the pain. It could be the way your uterus is tilted or just the heaviness of your uterus before your cycle starts. Keep a journal to help identify when the pain is worse and when you don't notice it. Journal everything to food you eat, what you drink, time of day of your run, basically anything that may relate.
I hope you find relief soon. Good luck.