skating and periods

[sampaguita]

Is it okay to skate even when you have your period, or is that a sure way of getting cramps?

And how do elite competitive skaters handle it when they have their periods during competitions?

[hopskipjump]

I can't imagine bowing out of skating for a period.  I'd just use a tampon if it was a comp.  Cramps happen but in my experience the more I move, the less I have cramps.  And advil or tylenol can help.

[jjane45]

Cramps severity is different for everyone. If it hurts too much, take it easy.

[karne]

I have ridiculously bad cramps - they're not quite as crippling now as they used to be after my doctor put me on the Pill (I used to spend three or four days of every month practically sobbing in pain and bedridden and useless; now it's one day where I'm sluggish and in agony).

I remember being told "exercise will help!" But this is a very individual thing and it depends on what you do, too. I went swimming once and just about drowned from the agony. But I've skated on my period before and have found it actually helps. I always thought the cold would make it worse, but for some reason, the movement actually makes them go away.

If you get bad cramps, you're going to need something a little stronger than Advil or Tylenol. I used to use Naprogesic, but now I use Ponstan, which is much stronger. Beware that both of these must be taken with food or you'll wish you just had period cramps! If you've got a comp, I'd double check with the drugs policy and make sure they're okay to use.

I use a pad more often than a tampon. I use the "invisible" type pad with wings - it's literally invisible under my practice dress so I imagine it'd be invisible under a competition dress. If you're nervous about using a tampon (although with the average age of skaters on here I can imagine you've already used them) I use the "mini" or "slim" type.

(It's amazing how few people seem to know about "invisible" pads though.)

Ultimately though, if your body really doesn't want to get moving, don't force the issue.

[Doubletoe]

If you have bad cramps, I'd suggest skating but taking it easy (maybe just doing moves in the field or something, rather than skating a full-out program).  In addition to having bad cramps--for which I either take Advil or a prescription drug called "Ponstel--I also notice my lower back is weak for the first few days of my period.  If I push it, I can actually get back spasms and be immobilized for several days.  Not worth it!

[rosereedy]

Am I the only one that finds my center of balance to feel "off" during that time?

[ferelu]

I thought I was the only one that felt off balance.

[Isk8NYC]

It's your choice - if you feel it interferes with your training or puts you at risk, take a week off every month.

I never paid it much attention, other than to note that skating (or any exercise) would help start the onset and shorten the cycle.  Never noticed any dizziness or off-balance issues, just a shortness of patience with crowds and difficult new elements. 

[sampaguita]

I decided to cancel my class during my period, as I never know if I'm going to get cramps (turns out I did get cramps on that day). For me, cramps get aggravated by exercise.

[isakswings]

Is it okay to skate even when you have your period, or is that a sure way of getting cramps?

And how do elite competitive skaters handle it when they have their periods during competitions?

My daughter started hers the day of her spring show preformance this year... she still skated! it was her very first one too. . She also had it a month later when she competed and she won her event. Periods won't stop skating.

[Sierra]

My daughter started hers the day of her spring show preformance this year... she still skated! it was her very first one too. . She also had it a month later when she competed and she won her event. Periods won't stop skating.

Wow! I would have died if I started it in her situation. Kudos to her!

I've yet to have one during a competition or test. I used to stress over if I would someday, since I absolutely hate skating with pads and would feel uncomfortable and unconfident in a dress. I solved that by doing away with the pads; so much better now.

[isakswings]

Wow! I would have died if I started it in her situation. Kudos to her!

I've yet to have one during a competition or test. I used to stress over if I would someday, since I absolutely hate skating with pads and would feel uncomfortable and unconfident in a dress. I solved that by doing away with the pads; so much better now.

The funny thing is, she skated very well that night! Her axel was playing a bit of peek-a-boo on her but she landed it in her program. It may not have been her best one, but she did it and she skated pretty well that night. I wasn't sure how it would go since she was really self conscious about the pads. I actually think it was good that she got it then, rather then the day of a competition. She tends to do well in shows because the pressure is off her. So, being able to skate and do well while having her monthly visitor, gave her the confidence to know it would be just fine if it happened again on a compeition day. Recently, all of the competitions she has competed in have fallen around her period! The next 2 will do the same. Oy! Thankfully she does not experience a lot of cramping.

[sarahspins]

Thankfully she does not experience a lot of cramping.

Some people don't - I never did until I had kids, and even know, at worse, my cramps are only mildly annoying and don't interefere with ordinary activity.  Unexpectedly heavy flow and um, leaking, well that's an entirely different issue

[turnip]

With the pill I'm on, I don't get periods  love it!

I think it's individual, it's about whats right for you. No point skating for the sake of it if you're not feeling it. If you're on the pill and can string it together to skip a period, it might be worth it for a test or comp, but partly just to avoid havng an extra thing to stress about.

[AgnesNitt]

Ladies, TMI.

[sk8lady]

Wow, finally a giant silver lining to the cloud that is menopause!! 

[Nate]

Fortunately, I have no experience with this.

My condolences, and you made me laugh

[Elsa]

Never noticed any dizziness or off-balance issues, just a shortness of patience with crowds and difficult new elements. 

Ditto.  I'm always surprised there isn't a trail of dead bodies in my wake that week.  It's not pretty. I'm sure I could test or compete just fine, but I don't think the people around me would enjoy it.