Does working out on your period affect your results?
👩🏻During the menstrual cycle, women go through numerous hormonal changes and, as a result, some experience changes in their workouts, either positively or negatively.
This depends on each individual. Some women don’t experience any changes in their performance, regardless of the phase of their menstrual cycle, while others find it considerably more difficult to work out during different phases of their cycle.
👩🏽Generally, there are no contraindications to exercising while on your period. But let’s clarify a few points before drawing a conclusion:
Women become more sensitive
Than usual. Not only in an “emotional” sense—the body is also much more sensitive to pain and fatigue. You may feel more tired and less motivated.
Sometimes it’s necessary to plan your workouts around the changes that occur during your cycle, taking hormonal fluctuations into account, such as changes in volume, intensity, difficulty level, etc.
Workout performance
Performance can vary depending on the phases of the menstrual cycle. During the premenstrual phase, due to rising progesterone levels, performance may decline.
During the postmenstrual phase, however, thanks to rising estrogen levels and increased norepinephrine secretion, performance improves significantly.
But, again, EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT!👍🏼👩👩🏻👩🏼👩🏽👩🏾👩🏿
Exercise routine while on your period
Although there is scientific evidence showing that your hormones can affect your exercise performance during different menstrual phases, this doesn’t mean there’s a one-size-fits-all approach to training during your menstrual cycle.
You may find that you have plenty of energy during your period or even in the middle of the luteal phase.
If that’s the case, you don’t need to adjust your training around your cycle.
Tracking your period is a great way to stay on top of your health and understand your hormonal fluctuations, but it doesn’t have to be the ultimate deciding factor in which exercises you do.
Do what feels best for you, and remember that any kind of exercise—even just a stretching session—and practicing healthy habits are great for your long-term health.
