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Menstruation and Exercise

It’s natural for women to be tempted to spend the first few period days wrapped in a cozy blanket, excluded from daily activities and, certainly, skipping their workouts. Yet, it may come as a surprise that exercising while on a period could be beneficial. Read on to find out more about menstruation and exercise, including how to reap the most benefits out of exercising during periods and how to keep it enjoyable.

menstruation and exercise

Is It Okay to Exercise While on a Period?

Women commonly wonder if they can exercise on their periods. The answer is a definite yes, as long as they feel up for it. Choosing reliable menstrual products is a secret to ultimate comfort while doing do.

Also, in order to keep workout routines safe and prevent hormonal disruptions, it’s key to remember that too much can also be harmful.

Namely, it has been found that engaging in strenuous workouts on a regular basis can cause energy deficits, leading to hormonal imbalance and irregular periods. Some women stop menstruating, a condition known as athletic amenorrhea, which is relatively common in female athletes.

Benefits of Exercising during Periods

Arguably, the most important benefit of staying active while on a period is that it promotes hormonal balance, which is the basis of healthy periods.

Done consistently, exercising helps balance the levels of hormones that drive menstruation, like estrogen or progesterone. It also helps maintain regular menses by preventing insulin resistance, reducing obesity, and lowering high cortisol levels, all of which are well-known menstruation disruptors.

Additionally, exercise boosts the release of beneficial compounds, including endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, which help ease symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). That means less cramps, bloating, mood swings, headaches, fatigue and other bothersome menstrual ailments.

The Best Exercises during Periods

Studies on the link between exercise and menstruation have shown that the most benefits are reaped with aerobic workouts, especially in terms of PMS relief. This is good news since experts believe that low hormone levels at this point of the menstrual cycle might increase endurance, making it easier to stay active.

However, bear in mind that any exercise is better than none. So, women are encouraged to stay tuned to their bodies’ needs and opt for exercises that not only benefit the body, but are also enjoyable.

A good way to choose the best exercise during periods is to vary moderate-intensity cardio workouts with gentle strength-training routines. Some of the best ideas include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Brisk walking
  • Light jogging
  • Swimming
  • Dancing and Zumba
  • Bike riding
  • Yoga and Pilates

Sail Through your Periods with Macafem

The best solution to period irregularities and discomforts is preventing them in the first place, which can be done by keeping one’s hormones in check. Luckily, Macafem Healthy Periods contains all the nutrients needed for a healthy and hassle-free menstrual cycle.

Macafem Healthy Periods is an all-natural supplement that gently nourishes the endocrine glands to optimize their hormone production. By regulating their levels and preventing imbalances, it helps ease period discomforts so that you can stay active and energetic throughout your cycle.

It’s clear that with regular exercise and a bottle of Macafem, healthy periods are within reach, especially when paired with a nutritious and well-balanced diet. All that’s left for you to do is to grab your workout shoes and enjoy your path to optimal physical and emotional health.

Annals. (2010). Athletic amenorrhea: energy deficit or psychogenic challenge? Retrieved July 19, 2020 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2941235/
International Journal of Sports Medicine. (2000). Exercise and insulin sensitivity: a review. Retrieved July 19, 2020 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10683091/
Journal of Education & Health Promotion. (2018). The Effect of aerobic exercise on primary dysmenorrhea: A clinical trial study. Retrieved July 19, 2020 from http://www.jehp.net/article.asp?issn=2277-9531;year=2018;volume=7;issue=1;spage=3;epage=3;aulast=Dehnavi
Office on Women’s Health. (2018). Physical activity and menstrual cycle. Retrieved July 19, 2020 from https://www.womenshealth.gov/getting-active/physical-activity-menstrual-cycle
Piedmont. (n.d.). How exercise helps balance hormones. Retrieved July 19, 2020 from https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/how-exercise-helps-balance-hormones