Exercise plays an important role in your health and sense of well-being. Changes in your exercise routine can result in excessively heavy or prolonged periods, a condition known as menorrhagia. Although strenuous training and extreme exercise can lead to amenorrhea, or lack of menstrual periods, a regular routine that includes moderate amounts of exercise may help normalize your heavy menstrual flow.
Menorrhagia
Menstrual cycles can vary greatly, although the average menstrual period lasts about four to seven days and occurs about every 28 days. Although heavy periods are common during the premenopausal phase, true menorrhagia involves bleeding for longer than one week, having to change sanitary protection during the nighttime hours or soaking through a tampon or pad in just one hour. Symptoms of menorrhagia may also include the presence of large blood clots and bleeding heavy enough to restrict your daily activities.
Exercise
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that healthy adult women participate in at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week at a moderate level of intensity, such as walking briskly. You may substitute 75 minutes of strenuous aerobic activity, such as jogging or running. Including muscle-strengthening activities, such as weightlifting, twice or more each week can also help improve your overall state of health and strengthen your muscles.
Benefits
According to The New York Times, surveys show that women who exercise regularly report having shorter periods and less bleeding during menstruation.The Times cites studies from Colorado State University and Harvard Medical School showing that female athletes who regularly participate in vigorous sports, such as ballet and swimming, tend to start menstruating between one and two years later than average. This may be due to a reduction in body fat. Vigorous exercise can result in menstrual periods that take place only one to six times each year, rather than occurring on a monthly basis.
Precautions
Talk to your doctor if you experience symptoms of menorrhagia. Although regular exercise may help this condition, sudden changes in your period may signal the presence of any underlying medical condition. Although a hormonal imbalance may cause menorrhagia, other conditions can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding. Uterine fibroids, polyps, ovarian dysfunction, pregnancy complications, inherited bleeding disorders and certain types of cancer may cause menorrhagia. An intrauterine device, or IUD, as well as certain medications, can increase your risk of experiencing heavy menstrual periods. Prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding can increase your risk of developing anemia. Anemia can make you feel tired, short of breath or fatigued. Schedule an appointment for a physical exam before starting an exercise program, especially if you are normally sedentary or if you have a chronic medical condition.
Member Comments