Exercising to help regulate periods?

intheplanningstage · June 2012

I've heard some talk about it, so I figure it may be worth a shot. I've always had irregular periods since I was 12....so it may be a lost cause. But has anyone tried it? Success or failure stories?

Also, I don't necessarily want to lose any weight. Any ideas for exercises just to get my heart pumping but not shed any pounds? Thanks Smile

mplesset23 · June 2012

I've never posted on this board, but randomly came across your post and thought I'd respond. I have a friend who was just told not to workout to help regulate her periods. I'm not sure the exact reasoning, but I think her situation is due to my friend doing it too much.

Good Luck!

Rvnsgrl81 · June 2012

mplesset23:

I've never posted on this board, but randomly came across your post and thought I'd respond. I have a friend who was just told not to workout to help regulate her periods. I'm not sure the exact reasoning, but I think her situation is due to my friend doing it too much.

Good Luck!

Any activity that is too intense can cause the period not to be regular. Excessive exercise being one. Working out can't hurt to help regulate your period.

rayofsunshine99 · June 2012

I've never heard of exercise regulating your period. Not to say that it may not be so, I've just never heard of it. Maybe call your doc and see what they say?

However I will say that exercise is a good idea no matter what.... well, unless you have a physical condition or doctor's order to abstain, but generally exercise = good.

intheplanningstage · June 2012

GhostMonkey:
Only time it normally helps is due to weight loss. Your heart beating faster won't make your periods regular.

Only way to not lose while working out more is to consume more calories.

Hmm but sometimes working out can 'tone' certain parts of the body, rather than targeting weight loss. Right? I'm 5' 6" and 125, so I'm right where I need to be weight wise. But I could tone up some areas with dancing or something. I'm thinking that type of cardio might be good for someone who has never formally exercised!

intheplanningstage · June 2012

rayofsunshine99:
I've never heard of exercise regulating your period. Not to say that it may not be so, I've just never heard of it. Maybe call your doc and see what they say?
However I will say that exercise is a good idea no matter what.... well, unless you have a physical condition or doctor's order to abstain, but generally exercise = good.

I've read several articles about it but I found them through google, so I'm not sure how credible they are.lol It makes sense though. If irregularity is related to a hormonal imbalance, the body reacts to exercise by releasing hormones...so maybe it would help.

You are right though-it can't hurt. Smile

intheplanningstage · June 2012

CLECyclist:
intheplanningstage:
Hmm but sometimes working out can 'tone' certain parts of the body, rather than targeting weight loss. Right?

Not with cardio, no. That would be strength training.

Ok, that's the kind of info I need since I'm clueless in this area. So, I wouldn't be looking for cardio exercises then.

Dana4332 · June 2012

Losing fat is supposed to help with the way your body processes hormones, esp. for people with PCOS. So it might help, but as a PP said, going to the opposite extreme isn't great either.

Cardio will get your heart rate up and will help you lose fat; strength training will increase the size of your muscles and will also speed up your metabolism which will help you to burn fat even when you aren't exercising. There is no way to "target" a particular area of your body for weight loss, really. You can increase the muscles there through strength training and then do cardio to lose the fat around those muscles, but you'll end up losing fat everywhere.

reederah · June 2012

I was a big runner in college and it actually made my periods irregular (mind you, I was really tiny). But I've heard if you're overweight, loosing weight can help increase fertility.

pantsarella · June 2012

intheplanningstage:
rayofsunshine99:
I've never heard of exercise regulating your period. Not to say that it may not be so, I've just never heard of it. Maybe call your doc and see what they say?
However I will say that exercise is a good idea no matter what.... well, unless you have a physical condition or doctor's order to abstain, but generally exercise = good.
I've read several articles about it but I found them through google, so I'm not sure how credible they are.lol It makes sense though. If irregularity is related to a hormonal imbalance, the body reacts to exercise by releasing hormones...so maybe it would help.
You are right though-it can't hurt.

Your body releases endorphins when you exercise. They won't affect your estrogen/testosterone levels. Exercise is generally good and you can work out without losing weight by increasing the calories you take in. But you should see a doctor about irregular periods if they're a concern.

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