One of the helpful benefits of exercise is it can reduce menstrual cramps. But sometimes, it has the opposite effect. If you experience menstrual-like cramping during exercise and wonder why you get period cramps when you work out, there are a number of possible causes to know about.
Tip
If you regularly experience cramping during exercise, or the pain is severe, talk to your doctor.
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What Are Menstrual Cramps?
It's helpful to understand what exactly causes that cramping pain during your period to get a sense of why it can also happen during exercise.
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Every month, your uterus builds up a blood-rich lining where a fertilized egg would implant. If you don't get pregnant, your body sheds that lining. To do so, your body makes more of a chemical called prostaglandin, which triggers your uterus to tighten up, as part of the shedding process, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Why You Get Uterus Cramps When You Work Out
If you're not currently on your period but feel that similar throbbing sensation during or after exercise, one of the following issues could be to blame. Talk to a doctor about your symptoms and the best treatment options for you.
1. You Have Another Source of Uterine or Pelvic Pain
Menstrual-like cramps can show up after exercise (or anytime) if you have a condition that effects your reproductive organs, per the National Library of Medicine, including:
- Fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
2. You Could Have IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, often causes severe abdominal cramps, whether or not you're working out, and it's more common in people with uteruses.
Those cramps may feel more related to digestion than menstruation, but there's some overlap: In fact, people with uteruses who have IBS report worse menstrual cramps, and about 30 percent are thought to have chronic pelvic pain, according to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.
3. You Could Have an Underactive Thyroid
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid is underactive and doesn't make enough thyroid hormone. When your muscles don't get enough thyroid hormone, they can become weak and cramp easily. In fact, up to 80 percent of people with hypothyroidism may experience muscle cramping, according to a June 2024 StatPearls article — and don't forget the uterus is a muscle!
4. You Could Be Pregnant
Lower abdominal pain during a workout could be a sign of pregnancy. Mild menstrual-like cramps are a common early pregnancy symptom, according to New York-Presbyterian hospital. These may occur during exercise or come at random. You may want to take a pregnancy test.
Does Exercise Change Your Period?
It may lighten or shorten your flow, or cause some temporary spotting. But exercise does not trigger periods or push out your period faster. Exercise might feel harder if you're low on energy or bloated, but it's absolutely safe to work out while menstruating. Try a more gentle workout, like these yoga poses for cramp relief.
Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.