Does Your Period Effect Your Workout? [Plus: Birth Control as a Performance Enhancer!]

Turns out this is a real magazine! My fave story from this edition: Diary of a Tampon Virgin (admit it – we’ve all been there.)

Red may be my favorite color but unless it’s on a pair of adorable Nikes, I prefer not to accessorize with it at the gym.  And yet if you are female with functioning ovaries at least once a month you have to bend over in front of a mirror to make sure you can’t see your pad through your spandex pants. (Two words ladies: Diva Cup. Best invention ever.) Since the Gym Buddies are primarily of the ovary-possessing variety there is a lot of talk in the gym about when someone is on their period (cramps!), when someone misses their period (pregnancy!), what they’re doing about their period (birth control!) and – most importantly – what our periods mean for our workouts (Fatigue! Bloating! Weakness! General all around pissiness!). Oh the drama.

Thankfully science has our back(sides) with a slew of new research to help us lady folk deal with our lady bits in a ladylike manner while still getting our sweat on. (Keep your legs crossed on the weight bench?) Researchers in Australia discovered that thanks to reduced levels of estrogen during menstruation (How do you pronounce that? Men-stray-shun? Men-stroo-a-shun? 5th grade humiliation??) female athletes are more likely to get injured during Red Celebration Week than during other times of their cycle. In two three-year studies that followed 78 women, it was determined that low estrogen at the beginning of the menstrual cycle (i.e. when you’re actually bleeding) causes reduced muscle tone and impairs coordination which led to a great incidence of injury, especially in the knees, feet and ankles.

This research is slightly controversial as it comes on the heels of several studies that showed no change in “muscle contractile characteristics”, VO2 max, oxygen consumption, heart rate and even rating of perceived exertion during the Period Party. These studies have led scientists to conclude that women do not need to make any adjustments to their training routines to accommodate Aunt Flo’s visit. I would personally like to smack these scientists upside the head with a case of Midol because whether there is a physiologic change brought on by hormonal fluctuations or if it is all in my head, there is a difference in my workouts when Mother Nature plays Call of Duty: Endometrial Edition.

For myself, I find that I get whinier and don’t push as hard in my workouts. (Plus I go through a serious nobody-likes-me-everybody-hates-me-I-look-fat-in-these-track shorts phase.) Research has shown that women are more sensitive to pain during the Week of Cotton Absorbency Testing, although I think they meant physical pain and not Facebook-induced depression like I seem to get every month. Rachel Cosgrove, in her book The Female Body Breakthrough, adds that “More than one study has shown that exercise feels harder the week before and the week of women’s periods because of increased levels of progesterone and decreased levels of serotonin. I can tell you from subjective reports that most women don’t feel optimal at this point in their cycles. You may find that your workouts feel harder than usual and that you’re more tired.” She adds, “Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t set a personal best this week. Just get in and get it done.”

What all this does not mean however is that we women should skip exercising during our periods. Lots of research has shown that exercising helps elevate mood, lessen cramps, reduce bloating and alleviate headaches.

Do not worry your pretty little head though, the researchers have an answer and naturally it comes in pill form – specifically The Pill. In what may be the best argument I’ve heard for taking birth control pills (oh yeah besides that whole preventing pregnancy thing), the Aussie scientists say, “There’s now quite a global body of research saying that the pill actually is protective of injuries. It protects you from injuries, it improves performance, improves muscle function.” Birth control as a performance enhancer? That’s definitely interesting. Especially because I’m about to start taking Junel 21 – a birth control pill that you take continuously so you don’t get a period.

While I love experimenting on myself, I’m going to admit that I am not at all excited for this one. My last experience with birth control pills 15 years ago wasn’t good. I don’t care what the research says, it made me gain 10 pounds right before my wedding causing me to look like a tiara-clad chipmunk in all our photos which means I do not display them nor show them to anyone, ever. But since I got the Mirena IUD out about six months ago my hormones have been returning to their natural state for the first time in decades. And I had forgotten how horrible “natural” is for this girl. While some of my symptoms improved since getting the Mirena out (brain fog, irritability and hair loss: gone!) others have gotten worse. TMI alert (as if this post wasn’t bad enough!): I’ve always been a bleeder and a cramper and every month it’s just getting worse. My PMS is ridiculous, debilitating and takes up half the month. Finally my doctor recommended this whole continuous-pill thing. “Just TRY it,” she said. “You can always quit it if you feel worse!” And yet I’ve had the pill pack for three months now and have yet to start it. But events this past weekend convinced me that I need to try something. So – deep breath – here goes nothing.

So I need advice: am I moron to be considering hormonal birth control again, especially when synthetic hormones have not been my friend in the past? What other options do I have?? If I may ask (please?) – what do you do for birth control?? And if you’re a woman, do you notice a difference in your workouts during the month and do you make changes in your training because of it? If you’re a man and you clicked through because you saw “performance enhancer” in the title, do you wish you could scrub your brain now?

70 Comments

  1. You ask, we answer 😉 I have so much to say about this…here’s the short version: I stopped taking the pill after 10 years and would never go back!! My symptoms worsened, much like yours, but I would never ever again allow some chemical hormones mess with my hormone system again (which gave me even worse symptoms)!! We want to have a baby, so I can’t tell you about birth control at the moment 😉 I wish you a great day!! (And love you for being such an oversharer ;-))

    • Ah see – this is what I’m worried about! The last thing I want to do is make anything worse… Good luck with the baby making though! That totally made me grin:)) I’m so excited for you!

  2. I struggled with long and heavy periods after my period returned after having kid #2. I played around with hormonal contraception but decided ultimately to have an endometrial ablation in June. Haven’t had a period since. It is so amazing. I looooooove not having to deal with my period anymore, especially as a runner.

    • I actually hadn’t considered that option! Thank you – will ask my doctor about it!! Question: does it work as birth control as well??

      • It is considered permanent birth control, so you don’t want to do it if you have any thought whatsoever of ever having children again. That said, I don’t think it is used primarily as birth control, I think it is used to relieve awful periods.

  3. I had a nightmare of a time on the pill. I tried 3 different kinds/ times. I got seriously depressed, bloated, fat, blah blah awful. I recently went to my OBGYN who told me to stay away from hormones given previous problems. I’m not sure what to use. He was pushing IUDs but a good friend had a really serious infection. So I’m kinda in limbo until I make a decision. That said I am ok working out during the hideous time of the month most of the time. But definitely not my peak performance and usually what I really want to do is wear a big comfy sack and stay in,

    • Let me know what you end up deciding to do. I kinda feel like we’re in the same boat! IUDs aren’t a good option for me anymore either…

  4. Never had a problem with mine before, but the real answer is: yes, yes they do effect my workout.

    And that is all I’m legally allowed to say on the matter.

  5. I was dealing with the same ‘period and pms symptoms ruin half my month’ issues, and tried all the non-hormonal routes out there, included copper IUD. Obviously that didn’t work out – my doctor can’t believe I’m not anaemic when I’m not on hormonal control given my bleeding problems, but I have naturally high levels of iron! However, I can’t take combined hormone BC because it gives me depression and makes my cholesterol shoot through the roof (something to monitor if you’re over 30 and taking BC, by the way). So I decided to try Micronor, which is the same hormone as Mirena. It really helps with the period symptoms, and I haven’t had any obvious side effects in the 5 months I’ve been taking it. I may go back to the Mirena eventually, although the last time I had one I had to get it out due to joint pain, etc. I’d prefer not to take hormonal BC, but in my case it’s a quality of life thing. Going to get my cholesterol checked sometime soon just to make sure it’s okay, but it shouldn’t be affected by progestin only pills. Forget about my workouts – my whole life was turned upside down by my symptoms. So it’s really PC (period control), with the added benefit of taking care of contraception 🙂

    • This: ” I’d prefer not to take hormonal BC, but in my case it’s a quality of life thing.” is me too. I’m hoping that the pill will similarly help me!

  6. I’ve been taking Teresa’s (T-Tapp) alfalfa for 3 years now. And I am symptom free. Seriously. No cramps, no pain, no bloating, no sore girls. I do notice a slight reduction in my ability to do my workout, (but it might be in my head… I just think I shouldn’t have to bleed every month AND be super woman at the same time… looking for an excuse? But to be honest, when I workout, I feel better… Silly girl.) It also helped regulate my thyroid – I’m not OFF my synthroid, but cut my dose in half and then in half again… Really NOT an advertisement, I promise, I just really love what this stuff does. (BTW, I tried health food store brand first, but it wasn’t until I switched that I got the benefits.)

    YEA for oversharing!

    • I’d try it. I’d try anything at this point… Although my thyroid isn’t the issue (and yeah, just had it tested. All clear!)

  7. Hey Charlotte! I never comment but I’ve been reading your site for a long time (since before you took that hiatus awhile back). Hello from a fellow Minnesotan who exercises! I hear you on having difficulty with birth control pills. You may know that there are several different varieties with different amounts and types of hormones (like the ones that have progesterone only, the ‘mini pill’), so because you had a really bad experience with one or two (or more) doesn’t mean there isn’t one out there that will make you feel great. I loved taking the pill continuously, and I did it for as long as I was going to Planned Parenthood – PP recommends tri-cycling to its patients on the pill (i.e. taking three months’ worth of pills in a row then taking a week off). Other doctors I’ve seen haven’t been familiar with the concept, unfortunately. My period pre-the pill was very, very heavy and very painful. I would ask my mom every month for a hysterectomy, and took 4 ibuprofen pills at a time, every four hours. So the prospect of not getting a period was like a Christmas present and birthday present in one, every month. I would say, talk to your doctor and tell them about your past experience and what pill you were on – the doctor hopefully can recommend a pill that is different and won’t cause you so much trouble. Maybe the ring (nuvaring) would be a good option as well? I really hope you find something that works for you – you deserve it!

    • What type of pills are you on (if I may ask)? My doc also recommended I do the 3-cycles, 1 week off thing. This gives me hope – your periods sound like mine:)

  8. You need to read “Taking Charge of Your Fertility” by Toni Weschler and “Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition” by Marilyn Shannon. They are cult classics for addressing “women’s issues” naturally. It seems pretty clear that your hormones are out of whack, and I’m not sure that throwing artificial hormones into the mix is maybe the best idea. But maybe I’m biased–I’ve never used any sort of birth control other than Fertility Awareness and have been very happy.

    (Maybe also check out “The NaPro Technology Revolution.” I haven’t read it, but I’m familiar with Dr. Hilgers’ work and he’s the real deal as far as hormonal issues are concerned.)

    • I have read TCoyF several times now and while I found it really informative for TTC, I guess I’m a little more nervous about it when it comes to BC… I’ll check out the other two you suggested!

  9. You need to read “Taking Charge of Your Fertility” by Toni Weschler and “Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition” by Marilyn Shannon. They are cult classics for addressing “women’s issues” naturally. It seems pretty clear that your hormones are still out of whack and I’m not sure adding artificial hormones to the mix is the best idea. But maybe I’m biased–I’ve never used any birth control but Fertility Awareness and have been really happy.

    (Maybe also check out “The NaPro Technology Revolution.” I haven’t read it, but I’m familiar with Dr. Hilgers’ work and he’s the real deal for hormonal issues.)

  10. The only advice I can give is to try it, and see how it goes. Hopefully all will be well!!!!
    I LOVED the Pill (although I can’t remember which one I took), and then there was something else I also liked, which I can’t remember. Useful, huh? It was a thing you inserted for 3 weeks, and then took out for a week, then inserted another one…
    Sorry. I have officially entered my second decade of Mom Brain and it appears to only be getting worse.
    But 7 years ago I was told by my doc to stop taking hormones due to a genetic condition (Factor 5 Leiden. Now why can I remember THAT and nothing else?!?!) that could, possibly-maybe-at-some-point-in-the-future-when-Judge-Dredd-IS-THE-LAW cause blood clotting. So I’m on a non-hormonal IUD, which I really like.
    What I DON’T like are my PMS symptoms. Yes, they last at least half the month: it starts with the pimples, then the bloating, then the, um, constipation, followed by the return of General Bitchiness, the hormone headaches, and culminating in deep, dark, awful feelings of sadness and utter hopelessness. Then the actual bleeding starts, and the rest of it goes away.
    Joy!

  11. I think different pill options may work better or worse for you. I have used the depo shot for over a decade and after an initial 10 pound gain (that sucked) I haven’t had a single issue. I wouldn’t honestly trade that 10 pounds back for 10 years of monthly cramps though so it’s all about priorities I guess. I’ll keep the weight and skip the periods. 🙂

    • Brandy E – You should reconsider Depo. It’s not recommended for use over 2 years. In fact, it has a black box warning due to its causing bone loss. I was on it for about 5 years (back in the 1990s when I was in my 20’s), before the FDA warning, and did suffer bone loss. You can google for more info, or start here:
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depo-Provera#Black_box_warning

      • I appreciate the concern, but all of the medications have warnings and this is the one that was the best option for me. My mother is a doctor and I promise you we have very carefully evaluated all of the options available to me. 🙂

  12. Have you tried Vitex to regulate your symptoms? I’m not sure how it would work for bleeding, but it made my cycle more regular and menses a bit shorter (though this could also be a result of long-term diva cup usage, I’ve read other women credit the cup for that).
    Hormonal birth control doesn’t work for me (seriously irritable and angry on every one I’ve tried, as well depressed on most).
    Aside from not *feeling* like doing anything the first day or two, I don’t notice a difference in my ability to work out. I just take 800mg of ibuprofen every 4-6hrs the first two days and keep it pushing.

    • That’s my concern about going back on hormonal BC too. It’s just not worked for me in the past. Although I certainly haven’t tried all the options. As for the Diva Cup, I’ve been using that thing for years and while I LOVE it, it has not lightened my periods one bit:(

  13. I was on Yaz forever and LOVED it. When they switched me to a generic though I started having hormonal issues. After that I tried Saheli (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ormeloxifene) which I had to order from India (yup, importing my birth control!) and that was great – cheap, only 1 pill a week to remember, except that I apparently was in the small minority that had horrible hot flashes on it that never improved. Seriously, it was like being menopausal (I assume). My doctor said it seemed like I had issues with being sensitive to low estrogen so now I’m on Levora which is a generic for something or other and I’m finally starting to feel like myself, pre-Yaz generic. My only complaint is that has a whole week of inactive pills compared to Yaz’s 4 days.

    As for working out I haven’t noticed any decreased performance but I’m certainly more whiny about it!

    • I really wish I knew what exactly I’m sensitive to in the hormones. The problem with Mirena was my body was recognizing the fake progesterone or whatever so I ended up with low progesterone and an imbalance. That’s why the doc suggested a combo pill this time. Gah. Why does this have to be so complicated?! Uteruses (uteri?) need an on/off switch!

  14. The pill turned me into a serious whack-a-doodle — I’d become screamingly depressed the week of my period, and didn’t understand quite why until I’d put off my annual exam (shame on me, I know) and my prescription ran out. The next month I felt… normal-esque. Yeah, I still was PMSsy, but it was livable especially compared to the horrific mood bottoming-out issues I’d been experiencing.

    That said, as I got older (toward my mid-to-later thirties) I started experiencing the icky-nasties again, and wondered if I should perhaps start back on the pill and see if that would straighten out whatever was ailing me. So I think the added hormones can absolutely have different effects on us depending on where we are in our reproductive life-cycle. Give it a whirl — you can always stop taking it 🙂

    I never did go back on the pill due to worries of “If this is bad now, what if the pill just makes it worse?” Also, there was the added bonus that my husband has a vasectomy and just under a year ago I had a uterine ablation which has effectively ended the monthly carnage (which was apparently well on its way out anyway — my ovarian function is pretty much nil, per my GYN).

    Now I just have to get through the hot flashes and night sweats. Oy…

    • Yeah I’m worried about the pill making it worse but like you (and my husband) said – I guess I can always quit if it doesn’t help!

  15. I currently have the Mirena IUD and LOVE it! No thinking about it, no period, etc. But, I’ve never been one to have irregular or heavy periods and no cramping (ever!).

    In the past, I have also done the pills (both regular and low dose), the patch and Nuva Ring. I hated having to remember to take pills and the patch came out with scary blot clot warnings after I’d been on it for a while. I would say the Nuva Ring was my 2nd favorite, though I was occasionally told it could be felt by my honey during the lovin’.

    • I used to love the Mirena!! I wish I still did. It’s weird, my first one I had zero complaints about and loved it. But the second one made me NUTS and I feel so much better off of it. Allison said the same thing – we were wondering if maybe there’s a “batch” issue or something?!

  16. I loved this post — I’ve never seen so many euphemisms for menstruation. Thanks for the laughs. What about the non-hormonal IUD?

    • I probably shouldn’t admit how much time I spent making that list of euphemisms! But it was totally worth it – cracked myself up;) And I had the copper T (paraguard) IUD for 7 months but had to have it removed because it made my already heaving bleeding INSANE. I was really sad to get it out though…

      • Too bad that Paraguard didn’t work. Have you read Toni Wechsler’s _Taking Charge of Your Fertility_? I’m reading it for trying to get pregnant (I’m a couple years older than you and just married <2 months ago, so I figure I could use all the help I can get), but it works on the other side. It makes the interesting point that there's no reason to contracept every day because women are only fertile a few days per month, so using Fertility Awareness plus a barrier method on fertile days may work, and it's totally noninvasive and inexpensive. Tracking temperature and fluids is easier than I thought, and apparently it has all kinds of other benefits such as being aware of health states in case something goes wrong. She has all kinds of stories of women who saved themselves from unneeded testing. Here are the charts: http://www.tcoyf.com/content/MasterCharts.aspx

  17. Charlotte, I love that you share with us and start a discussion on a subject that concerns all women!
    I had horrendous periods and PMS until I started taking the pill (aged 17). I then move to the UK and got prescribed Yasmin. The WORST Experience ever! I had my periods for 3 weeks at a time and I’m anemic! My doctore told me to stick with it for a couple more months (yes he was a guy!).
    I switched doctor and got Merilon (or something like that). I have now been on it for 3 years. I had no issue until I switched to the generic version with my last prescription. I have been bitchy ever since! I wish there was an easier way of doing things but I have no kids so my doc doesn’t want to prescribe an IUD and I don’t want to use condom again 🙁
    Anyhow, good luck! I reckon you should try, because different pill really do have a different effect on you!
    As for exercise, I usually get a couple of horrible days when all I want to do is curl up in a ball. The rest of “that week” I’ll usually do lighter exercises like long walks, bike rides or slow jogs..

    • I don’t know if this helps but most of my friends use an IUD and several of them have never had kids – none of them have had issues with placement or it staying put! Good luck!!

      • To put this in context: I went to a talk on IUDs a couple of weeks ago, and lots of clinicians are reluctant to place IUDs in women without kids because their cervical opening is smaller, and that makes it harder/trickier to fit it through the opening. It may take some time to find someone with the training. Nurses and doctors at Planned Parenthood may be more likely to know how.

  18. We just use condoms 🙂 my hormones are free to do what they please and I don’t have to remember to take a pill. Plus, my family has a history of getting pregnant while using birth control. It’s like we are determined to reproduce. I’m not having that.

    • “It’s like we’re determined to reproduce” – ROFL. I know that feeling. And while condoms work for the BC part, they’re not helping my wicked pms at all:/

  19. I don’t know…I’ve been off hormonal birth control for over 5 years and I love it. The periods are heavier though, and that does affect my workouts, but only for one or two days a month. Not a huge sacrifice for me.

    • If it were just the workouts it wouldn’t be an issue – it’s the moodiness, debilitating cramps, short temper, and, yes, insane chocolate cravings… I’m a cliche lol

  20. tmi alert: I’m not on BC and haven’t used it since 2005. The synthetic hormones were great for me, but the shot was AWFUL and I couldn’t just stop taking it like with the pill. We went through fertility treatments, though, and that was worse. Much worse. Worse than law school.

    Now I just sort of go “get off me!” three days a month. Getting transvag ultrasounds three days a week teaches you your cycle in excruciating detail. But no periods? I have endometriosis and DNFd a half because of my uterus falling out. Gawd, that hurt. So no periods sounds awesome.

    More than you ever wanted to know, I’m sure.

  21. Call of Duty: Endometrial Edition. <—- best line ever!!!

    As a fitness professional here's what I say to those researchers: there sure as hell IS a difference in workouts! I teach bodypump (along with a myriad of other classes) and my cycle is such that my period starts on Wednesdays. I teach bodypump Wednesday mornings. It took me a while to figure out that the reason I was having "off" weeks was my period. Effects of my period and exercise: I cannot lift as much, back pain, leg pain and general lack of energy and BLAHs. So to those that say it doesn't happen I say TRY IT sure it may not affect everyone but it sure as hell affects me! And just to make things interesting each month is totally different! Sometimes it's the legs/cramping, sometimes headaches, sometimes nothing, sometimes everything! Mother nature is AWESOME!

    Birth control I've been on for years and last year I switched to a low hormone one (microgestin 1/20) due to bleeding issues. In the past I've had heavy periods, breakthrough bleeding, and PMDD. So far I'm doing great on this, and barely have a period at all now (totally fine, checked with my Dr). I say give it a go, like your doc said, if you get worse, stop taking it!

    Also yes to the diva cup!!!! Best thing ever!

    • Ooh another vote for microgestin! Got it on my list of things to discuss with my doc! Thank you! And I’m so glad you’ve found what works for you!

  22. I put off birth control for SO LONG because I was afraid of gaining weight on it. When the risk of gaining the weight involved with pregnancy became the only alternative, though, I bit the bullet and did it….

    I LOVE THE PILL. Seriously, if my relationship ended this moment and I took a vow of celibacy, I’d keep taking that Pill. When I’m on placebo week I count days til I can start taking it again.

    I didn’t gain an ounce of weight, didn’t really lose any, but it DID redistribute the weight that I had so much that I went up a bra size. I love my figure so much more on the Pill, *honest truth*. I’m on one of the relatively low-estrogen ones, Lo-Ovral (the specific generic that I’m on is Cryselle, I’ve heard some generics can have different side effects due to different “inactive” ingredients even though the active ingredients are the same). It’s a daily pill, and I take it continuous cycle, and do a placebo week about every 3 packs (if I try to push longer than that I get breakthrough bleeding).

    It also cleared up my skin noticeably. I do get some pretty sharp mood swings for about 2 days when I start it back up again after placebo week, but other than that no behavioral effects that I’ve noticed (and I am someone that is very prone to anxiety/depression). The placebo weeks aren’t fun, but I don’t think they’re different from a typical period (bloating, cramps, etc, although I can’t compare because thanks to anorexia starting at age 12 I actually never had a “real” period before going on the Pill).

    Don’t be afraid! If the birth control you try doesn’t work for you, there are a ton of options for different brands/types you can try. I know it’s super anxiety-provoking to start any new medication without knowing for sure what it will do to your body, though, really hope this goes well for you.

  23. Sorry to be a total pedant, but little mistake in the title – should be “affect”. Meant with love 🙂

  24. Not directly:) But when my wife rides the crimson wave it indirectly affects me – collateral damage.

  25. So long since I had to take BC Charlotte but for me when I was on it & when I had my period – and I always had bad ones – I just went on with the workout. If I stopped every time I felt bad when I had it – I would never had worked out or done anything! I felt bad before & during so I had to just keep going – popped Advil & went onward…

  26. I swam competitivey, year round, when I got my first period and pretty much just put the tampon in and kept going. I have always felt better after working out regardless of my period so I never considered not working out. I never noticed a difference in my performance.
    I have tried the Diva Cup, and loved it, but could not get it out, and I did not love that! I wish there was more emphasis on this, instead of tampons, because I’m sure this would work. It’s sad that when your selling something that is not disposable, there is not more marketing dollars.
    I did pills for many years without problems, but I know for many womenn they are not the way to go.
    I stopped taking them, mostly because I just did not like the idea of giving myself the hormones, got the “Taking Charge of Your Fertility” book, and then of course, got pregnant.
    I now have the Paraguard IUD and I bleed like crazy for two days, and then it seems normal for a few more, but I’m not really happy.
    I am still trying to talk the Hubby into a vasectomy.

  27. I have the Implanon implant, and I LOVE it!!!! I’ve had it for 4 months now, and my periods have completely stopped. There was a day or two of craziness when it first got inserted (I figure it was 3 years worth of hormones getting settled – the poor guys at work didn’t know what had hit them!), and I had two weeks of light spotting, but now nothing. I used to get crazy mood swings, super heavy periods (family history of endo), I would always just skip the placebo week when on the pill so I didn’t have to deal with them. But I am so happy with the Implanon, I don’t know why more people don’t have it. No periods, and it lasts for 3 years? Sold.

    (Side note – I’m in Australia – seems like Implanon might be more common here than in the States??)

  28. My periods used to be really heavy, to the point where I wore overnight pads all the time, and while I didn’t get curl-up-on-the-floor cramps, I did get random cramping, and sometimes it really sucked. I also got a general feeling of being “dirty” and didn’t want to move at all, especially if the moving was actual exercise. It was all around ugh.

    Then I got on the high dose of Sprintec, and everything magically got better. I don’t really know the ins and outs of birth control, but dang. Now my cramps are nonexistent, I can wear medium-flow or even light-flow pads, and I don’t feel like lounging on the couch instead of going about my life.

    I wouldn’t call them performance-enhancing, more like performance-restoring, but birth control is *awesome.*

  29. Well I can’t really comment on the birth control or the period because I am a special case. I have a histamine response to my period and the pill makes me have big brown spots all over. Maybe I’m not the same species as other women 😉
    On the other hand I am King Kong and the Incredible Hulk when I have PMS. That is the one joy of being crazy on hormones!

  30. I had to get on the Pill because without it my periods were like New Orleans’ levies breaking during a hurricane. I would have an ultra heavy flow for two to three weeks every two months. My old GYN (heaven help this man if I ever see him again) said it was fine because I was regular and it’s just what my body wanted to do. I switched GYNs and I am so glad I did. He took one look at my iron readings and was like “How are you still conscious?” I’m only 23 and not sexually active so he decided to start me on a low dose of Ortho-trycyclen. If I miss a day or two though my moods go haywire . . . I snap . . . like jump over tables and grab people by the collar snap (thankfully my friends are very forgiving). I’ve started eating more soy and drinking teas like rose tea, and they’ve helped me reduce cramps and level out emotionally. I live in China so I get a lot of natural remedy advice . . . I think it’s worth listening to since most of the women in this country have light PMS symptoms and usually don’t go through menopause.

  31. I read this blog all the time and it seems i an only really compelled to leave a comment about the bc related things… Not to say i don’t live ask of your other entries, you’re very inspiring to me 🙂
    I think is because bc had such a terrible affect on my mental health. It made me crazy. That’s putting it simply. I think the pms, heavy bleeding, cramps and lower tolerance of pain are the lesser evil than being depressed and delusional all the time. The pill does so many unwanted things to your body and mind. There are different options out there for birth control that dont involve the false hormones that the pill does.

  32. I was prescribed yasmin a while ago for my skin, and its been absolutely fantastic. I’ve had shorter periods by about 2-3 days, and they’ve also been much lighter (TMI, I know). In addition, I’ve had almost no cramps. I’m not sure about the whole irritability thing though, as I never had that before.

    I did note that an earlier commentator had a bad experience with yasmin, so perhaps you have to find what’s best for you?

    I should also add that yasmin is meant to help with weight loss. I haven’t really noticed anything, but then I haven’t gained weight either.

    Also, I know this is off topic, but I just have to say that your website has one of the friendliest comment sections I’ve ever seen 🙂

    • Aw thank you! I agree – my readers are the kindest, most helpful and least snarky people on the Internet! I’m very blessed to have you all:))

  33. Hormones! (I raise my eyes to the heavens and scream it with Shatner-like intensity.) They are tricky little things. I did the pill. It wasn’t a success. I was on ortho tri cyclen for several months and stopped, never to return. My cycles have been anything from light and regular with no cramping to riding a crimson tsunami every two weeks with debilitating cramps. I don’t pretend to understand it or to have any real advice (Thanks, right?), but I do hope you find something that works for you right now. Good luck in your endeavers to find something to help with your cramping, bleeding, et al. It’s no fun!

  34. Oh, man.

    I’ve gone through five different birth control pills, all of which improved my cramps, lessened my flow (Yas was three days! AWESOME), made my skin better, and generally improved my PMS…however:

    Yaz – Great for the first nine months or so, then I didn’t want ANYONE to touch me EVER don’t even LOOK AT ME, and I also gained about eight pounds and couldn’t shake it. My skin was practically angelic, though!

    Microgestin – Stayed on this for three months, and kept spotting through. It was perfectly fine, other than that.

    Lo-Ovoral – Perfectly acceptable for the (again) first nine months, then I started trying to drive my car off of freeway overpasses–yay, suicidality! It took me way longer than it should have to realize that the Lo-O was the cause. Oh! Also got painful fibrous tissue lumps in my breasts that went away as soon as I stopped taking this.

    Progestin Only – I looked like a fire monster. And my PMS symptoms were RAGING. Only stayed on this for a month.

    Took a break for about…a year?

    Am currently on Modicon–have been for two months. …I’m a little concerned. I feel depressed a LOT, and my anxiety levels (which I haven’t ever dealt with before) are just through the roof. Also, the smallest thing can just make me lose my proverbial shit. …I’m giving it another month or two (since I’ve had a couple of extenuating circumstances, like losing my job, having serious roommate issues, and getting another job, but with 60 work weeks), but if nothing improves? Out it goes.

    I’m thinking about giving Microgestin another whirl.
    Honestly, there are SO many different types of birth control, it’s just a matter of poking about until you find one that works, and trust, I am damned determined to find one that does. My period without birth control is hell.

    Also, give a pill at least two cycles before determining whether or not it’s okay for you. Sometimes it takes a little while for your body to be okay with new hormone levels.

  35. Always had super bad PMS, and cramping. Pretty much every symptom there is. Then after I did a medically supervised fast (to see if it would help with the chronic headaches I’ve had for 12 years), and have been on a ketogenic diet (think the induction phase of the Atkin’s diet) for the last three months or so, all of sudden my periods are bearable. I didn’t even touch the IBprofen last time. I know it’s a bit extreme, but you did ask!

  36. This isn’t a birth control method, but taking Vitex Fruit will definitely help with period problems like cramps, irregularity etc. It has changed my life! That said, you do need to take it for a few months to be effective. It can increase fertility, so you should be using some form of birth control with it.

  37. Exersice does really help me with my mood swings.