Dr. Ranjana Nargolkar

The question of whether or not a woman should work out or not when it is the time of the month is one that has been much talked about. Fluctuations in hormone levels that take place during the monthly cycle have a tremendous impact on the level of energy, stamina and the body's response to exercise. The likelihood of getting injured is also different during periods.

Exercising during your period has many positive impacts on the body. Each woman's ability to work out and her response to it are different and hence the workout routine you must adhere to can vary from person to person.

What are the benefits of working out during periods?

• Exercising during periods can be effective in alleviating the symptoms that accompany your period at the time such as stress and anxiety.
• Loss of body fluids through sweating while doing exercises significantly reduces bloating in the belly.
• Exercising can also ensure that there is less cramping and heavy flow during periods.
• Endorphins released during exercise functions as a natural painkiller for period pains.

What are the best ways of working out during periods?

Depending upon how your body responds to periods, suitable workout routines can vary from high-intensity training (hit) like running, cycling and heavy lifting to low intensity training (lit) like brisk walking and step aerobics.

Most women opt for light exercises during the first few days of the cycle and then gradually increase intensity, which is advisable for those who are not in the habit of regularly working out. Athletes and sportswomen who train all around the year take to high-intensity workouts that focus on core strengthening and cardio boost.

What exercises should be avoided during periods?

The only kind of workout that should be avoided during this time is yoga that involves any 'inverted pose' that requires a woman to perform partial or complete headstands. These poses negatively impact blood flow and can cause painful heavy bleeding.

Apart from that, when it comes to exercising during periods, the guideline is simple - if you can handle it, you should go ahead and do it. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Gynaecologist.