Biking during 'that' time of the month

[stpbiker]

Hi all,

I am planning to do the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic (http://www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/index.cfm) on July 15-16 this year for the first time. It's a 206 mile ride in 2 days and I'm really excited about it!

But I discovered today that I'll most probably be having my next period during that time :(

Does anybody have any information/tips/tricks about biking during 'that' time of the month? Especially when the ride is 100 miles each day for 2 days? Is this a health risk in any way? I searched on the internet but couldn't find any useful information. :confused:

I'm doing the ride to raise funds for my favourite charity so I'd be very bummed out if I can't ride.

Thanks in advance!
Clueless in Seattle,
stpbiker.

[iFKA]

Two years ago, I also went on one pretty exhausting ride, that lasted 2 weeks. During that time I had my period but I haven't had any problems. I used my tampons and everything was o.k. :)
But this year I went on one MTB racing event and after that I bled a little bit even though it wasn't my period, and my gynecologist said that it may be due to various reasons but one of them is my overexertion. So either way you must be aware of your possibilities and don't pressure your body on something just because it is for a good cause.
I wish you all the best

[Brina]

I used to find the tampon string could irritate so I switched to a diva cup. since there is nothing outside there is no irritation. plus it is good for the environment. took a month or two to get over the ick factor.

[DrBee]

Diva cup/mooncup - highly recommended. No string, no irritation.

[bouncybouncy]

since the "dealing with" has been addressed...by the way there are numerous threads on the diva cup/moon cup/instead and various other methods...just try a search

i wanted to add by saying that i experience a drastic drop in my energy level...i usually will drink a carnation instant breakfast drink (regardless of time of day) or a meal replacement bar (luna) before a ride during that week...seems to give me a little extra boost. but i can still tell i am not at the top of my game...i have had a blood test and all is ok...just homonal i guess.

as far as physical limitations...i would say you will be just fine! just take along a travel pack of wipeys and have fun!!!

[mimitabby]

I love menopause!!!! YAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(just wait, guys, the freedom is fantastic!!)

[margo49]

I love menopause!!!! YAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(just wait, guys, the freedom is fantastic!!)

Oh Yeah - once you're through the Process ;

it doesn't happen overnight and hormones being the tricky and unpredictable little bas-ards that they are it is
not
all plain sailing in a white sun-dress on a white yacht
or even riding a white horse in white jeans

My advice is not to push yourself physically, mentally or emotionally. By all means do what you want but don't over exert yourself further especially when your hormones are "exerting" you already

price of above advice: $0.02

[mimitabby]

okay, serious answer here.
I have been known to ask the doctor for 1 or 2 months supply of birth control pills to STOP the periods for an important event.

Since i was never a high risk, they gave me those prescriptions each time (even after i turned 40), and my trips overseas were unmarred by all the side effects of "That time of the month"

[Shimpie]

ditto on the extra birth control...only if you already take on a regular basis.

[slinkedog]

Make sure you are very well hydrated during that time. It will help a lot.

You know, I have nasty periods, but just before the Cinderella this year, my friend and I decided to do a 65 mile ride. Of course, my period started that morning. Let's just say the first two days of my period are incredibly heavy. We did the whole ride and I felt surprisingly good. I took Advil every so often, too. Ended up being the shortest period I've had since having kids. Amazing!

So maybe it won't be as bad as you think. I do use the Instead cups, which are disposable and last much longer than a tampon will. You can search the forum, as others suggested, to find out about alternate hygiene products.

Hope your ride goes great!

[mimitabby]

ditto on the extra birth control...only if you already take on a regular basis.

No, Shimpie, I hadn't taken birth control since 1980. My doctors thought it was not a problem for me to take the pills for short durations because of my low risk factors.

[AuntieK]

okay, serious answer here.
I have been known to ask the doctor for 1 or 2 months supply of birth control pills to STOP the periods for an important event.


You know, I went on the continuous bc pill thing to stop periods for important events, too. However, what I've run into is that it has caused me to bleed every two week, for two weeks. So I get two weeks on, two weeks off. It sucks! Hoping it will work itself out the longer I'm on the pill.
So I guess what I'm saying is that everyone is different and some things work better for some than for others.
Anyway, stpbiker, since it sounds like this option is too late for your ride anyway, I would definately go with the suggestion of the Diva or a Keeper. But if that's undoable as well, try tampons. I don't know of any health risks to riding at that time, just maybe some discomfort.
Good luck!

[chickwhorips]

i'm on the pill and i tried it once to keep taking them so i didn't get my period. i found that i still had some bleeding through. not anything like a regular period, just some spotting here and there.

[Denise223]

Oh....menopause.....

Please check out the www.oonausa.com website, for menopausal supplements. I purchased them at the Vitamin Shoppe after researching them. Very happy with this product.

I know that everyone knows about the dangers of the pill and/or estrogen replacements.....

My GYN put me on premphase (which I went off in October '05, after being on it for 5 months). I DID NOT know that I was taking the highest dose of premarin -- (has estrogen & progesterone in it).
And, I usually research everything before I take it -- it's just the way I've always been since I was 14. (my mom didn't know much about medicine, so...I had that "need to know").

(Looking back, I didn't do a very thorough "research job" on Premphase, though!! :( )!

I ended up in the hospital last October with severe ischemic colitis -- One minute my husband & I were enjoying a delicious dinner at home, and within one hour, I had passed out & was in an ambulance.

A clot had stopped the blood flow to my colon, BP severely dropped, shocky, sweaty, numb mouth & extremeties..
I didn't think I was going to get through this b/c on colonoscopy, my colon was black & friable -- the GI doctor said it looked like someone had put a corrosive substance in there --- appeared burnt.
The pain was excruciating, for a few days.

I really am grateful for a lot of things -- and this episode is no different.

I am very grateful that I left the hospital 8 days later with my colon intact. Over 2 months I lost 25 pounds -- though, this IS NOT the way to lose weight!!! Bowel rest, liquids, low residue diet for a couple of months --

I don't take the Premphase anymore. That drug most likely was responsible for the clot.

I know that all women know the dangers of birth control pills & hormone pills, just wanted to add what really can happen when they mention "can cause clots"....

Have a great day & happy riding!

Denise

[kelownagirl]

okay, serious answer here.
I have been known to ask the doctor for 1 or 2 months supply of birth control pills to STOP the periods for an important event.

Since i was never a high risk, they gave me those prescriptions each time (even after i turned 40), and my trips overseas were unmarred by all the side effects of "That time of the month"


I take the pill for 3 months at a time before taking a break.... Nice to only get my period 4-5 times a year. :) Before this became popular, I used to take a few extra pills to stretch out the time once in awhile if something important was coming up...

barb

[SalsaMTB]

Just saying what other girls have said...

I like to take the pill so I don't have it for a big event. I'm on it regularly though, so it's not a big deal. Works like a charm!

Also, I ride with tampons and have had problems with irritation from the string, so just take care in where you place it. As long as I make sure the string is in a good position, no problems. On heavy days, I have bled through a little but with black shorts and a black chamois, it's not that big of a deal.

Also, stay hydrated, and maybe try to keep your iron content up. Seems that women are often low on iron during that time of a the month, so maybe purposely adding more to your diet would help.

Good luck! You definitely can ride, don't worry!