Running Reduces PMS Symptoms - What More Incentive Do You Need?

This crazy/hectic work schedule has totally thrown off my training schedule...and my cycle.  For so many months now I have enjoyed a monthly period that I barely notice...no cramps, just a little moodiness.  It's one of the benefits running lots of miles has on my body.  With all this disruption in training, over the last month, the cramps, headache and BAD bitch mood came on me like a ton of bricks yesterday.  Oh man, it's bad.  And the ironic thing is, that worse I feel, the less I feel like getting out there on the road.  Procrastination is so much easier.  But why does running reduce monthly cycle pain? 

Having used a running log for many years, its clear to me that I run faster and easier just prior to or just after the day of ovulation. Conversely, I definitely find my runs harder in the couple of days right before my period begins. I don't, however find it hard to stuff oatmeal cookies into my face right before my period. 

Here are the some of the changes running has on our menstrual cycles:

Running shortens the cycle. Intensive running can reduce the cycle by a few days, probably due to the changes in the secretion of the hormones from the pituitary gland.

Running reduces menstrual pain. A lot of the menstruation pain and discomfort of your period is caused by prostaglandins—hormones that increase in concentration during the cycle. Running reduces the effect of these hormone concentrations in the uterus.

Running reduces pre-menstrual stress. We are all familiar with the symptoms of PMS; depression, irritability, marked icrease or decrease in appetite and tenderness of the breasts.  Running causes testosterone to be secreted by the adrenal glands, which may disturb the cycle and lessen pre-menstrual stress.

Running may reduce or alter ovulation. WARNING - Do not use your recent 20-miler as a contraceptive device ;-)  If the hormone levels are changed by running, ovulation may not occur. (If the changes are that great, you may be overtraining.) Regardless, this isn’t a problem unless you're trying to become pregnant. If you are, talk to you OB/GYN (preferably one who runs herelf.) She can recommend any necessary alterations in your traning program.

Running can cause amenorrhea (absence of periods for six months or longer). This usually only effects highly competitive women runners, but among those, this can be as high as half. There are often other factors associated with intense training that can cause amenorrhea. This usually isn’t a serious problem by itself, but lower levels of estrogen weakens bones and can lead to injury such as stress fractures, (take your Calcium + D!)

As for me, the way I feel right now is enough to incentivize me to get back out there and to my regular mileage level.  I've had enough! 

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