A “she” says to her friend: “I’m going to the gym, I’ll pick you up”. And the other, in return,: “Thanks, I would come but I have my period”. Thus the eternal quarrel of the feminine intimate universe is liquidated in a joke (with relative renunciation): what can you do or not do during those three to five days that characterize menstruation? A “monthly” problem that many women experience with anxiety, both for the consequences (even painful) on the body, and for the privations that many, sometimes rightly more often wrongly, inflict themselves in everyday life. And the gym is, among the activities, the one that is the hardest to postpone.
Sport can also do you good
Yet science does not prescribe a prohibitive attitude by default: sport, contradicting the cliché that is perpetuated through generations of women, can also do good. The first testimony comes from the gynecologist and expert in the neuro-psychoendocrinology of reproduction and sexuality Manuela Farris: “The menstrual cycle has several phases marked by changes in estrogen and progesterone levels, which can affect our dietary needs and response to different types of exercise.
Moving around releases endorphins
And instead, contrary to the most common legends, exercise is recommended during menstruation because it helps to release endorphins, promoting itself as a natural pain reliever. This means that exercising during your period can reduce menstrual pain and also positively affect the psychological symptoms related to PMS. Planning sports activities, listening to your body, may be the best solution for most women. “A Swedish company operating in the sector of products for the women’s wellness market, has put together a survey for the second year. , “Intimina-ipsos 2”, which attracted 500 followers on social media.
The specialist
Per Alessandra Graziottin, director of the Gynecology Center of San Raffaele Resnati in Milan, there is “a different vulnerability to certain factors among women who do sport regularly three, four times a week compared to those who practice it occasionally or never”. In detail, he specifies: “It has been shown that the former show a better mood throughout the month, a lower intensity of PMS and even less pain during menstruation. different phases of the cycle, managing to maintain greater regularity in training.
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Then, a balanced and non-obsessive practice of sport, allowing the many stresses of life to be unloaded in a healthy way, becomes a health factor also from the point of view of the cycle. “A reasoning valid for most women, but not for all. Graziottin adds in fact that “the possible exceptions are represented by those women who have very heavy cycles (20 per cent of Italians) and / or very painful, often underlying endometriosis not yet diagnosed. In these cases the correct solution is not to give up sport in those days, but to carry out appropriate therapy (pill, patch, vaginal ring or progestin) in order to bring the amount of flow back to normal, markedly reducing menstrual pain to have a normal life. on an ongoing basis “.
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The survey
The data emerging from habits and performance levels also reveal the so-called “preventive fear”. For example, 8 out of 10 women said they did not train before the scheduled start day. It also turns out that almost 79% of respondents allow themselves a day off from training before menstruation, specifying that the reasons for not exercising include cramps (25%), intense flow and fear of leaks (both in the 28 percent of cases).
And false myths
Not exercising is just one of the many bans related to menstruation for as many as 22 percent of women. Then there are those who, following the usual clichés, impose themselves not to touch the plants and not to have sexual intercourse (equal merit for 37%), surpassed only by the most well-known recommendation not to take a bath or shower. (49%).
Swimming
There are women who practice it but feel uncomfortable, those who avoid it and all the others who don’t make it a problem. The most common fear is leaking, especially in the water. But the results of another survey (Intimina 3) reveal that 44 feels uncomfortable swimming during their period and that 28 gives it up on “those days”.
“Many fear that leaks will show up through the bathing suit, but it is a drawback that can be addressed precisely with a cup that protects, collecting instead of absorbing the menstrual flow. In this condition, loss is unlikely”, concludes Alessandra BitelliWoman Empowering Coach.
Reality
Fortunately, in addition to the women who follow their grandmother’s instructions, there are many, in the case of the survey 46 per cent, who record an improvement in sports performance. 38 percent of the sample confirm that physical activity reduces menstrual cramps, while almost half (46%) believe that their physical performance is better or equal than on other days. Also encouraging is the opinion of 78% that they would recommend other women to exercise during menstruation because it relieves cramps, improves mood and increases energy.
The cause
“Despite everything – adds Farris – it is sad to hear that 79 per cent of women still take a break from sports due to menstruation. The reasons why there are still so many who give up sport during menstruation may depend on different factors related to difficulties in the use of menstrual products, or from mood or approach to exercise. Scientific evidence confirms that due to the increase in estrogen levels, sports performance can improve in the first half of the menstrual cycle “.
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