Heavy periods can be a nuisance, and may decrease your motivation to exercise regularly. However, regular physical exercise at a moderate level can decrease the heaviness of menstrual periods, while also improving your mood. Consult your doctor before starting any new exercise regimen, or if your menstrual symptoms give you cause for concern.
Athletic Amenorrhea
Regular and strenuous physical activity may, in some cases, cause an athlete's menstrual periods to become very light or stop completely. According to an article in the "Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology," this absence of menstrual periods is known as amenorrhea; the condition is between four and 20 times more prevalent among athletes than among the general population. Negative side effects of athletic amenorrhea may include brittle bones, increased risk of fractures, and a curving of the spine. You can reduce your chances of developing athletic amenorrhea by reducing your training load or increasing your nutritional intake during periods of intense training.
Expert Insight
Regular moderate exercise may cause periods to be lighter and less painful in general. A study published in the "Journal of Psychosomatic Research" examined the effect of exercise on the menstrual symptoms of 256 women. Of these women, 97 performed regular exercise at a moderate level of intensity. On average, these women experienced less severe menstrual pain and negative mood -- also known as PMS -- than the women who did not exercise at all.
Exercise and Weight Loss
Physical exercise, in combination with a calorie-controlled diet, is a tried-and-tested means of losing excess weight or maintaining a healthy weight. The MedLine Plus online medical encyclopedia indicates that abnormal menstrual bleeding -- including lighter periods or heavier periods -- may be caused by a recent weight loss or weight gain. If you lose too much weight and become medically underweight, your underweight status may cause your periods to become lighter or completely absent.
Considerations
If your periods become lighter, heavier, or absent, you should consult a health care professional for medical advice. Although exercise can cause changes to your menstrual cycle and symptoms -- particularly at the start of a new exercise regimen -- there are many underlying medical conditions that can cause changes to your menstrual cycle. These include endometrial hyperplasia, cancer, fibroids, disorders of the thyroid or pituitary glands, liver cirrhosis, lupus, pregnancy or polycystic ovary syndrome.
References
- "Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology"; Exercise Training, Menstrual Irregularities and Bone Development in Children and Adolescents; A Eliakim et al.; August 2003
- "Journal of Psychosomatic Research"; Aerobic Exercise, Mood States and Menstrual Cycle Symptoms; J.A. Aganoff et al.; April 1994
- MedLine Plus: Menstrual Periods: Heavy, Prolonged or Irregular
