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sunsgirl

Feb 08, 2012

I am 31 and have had this problem for 4 years, up until a year ago. Like everyone else, I had test after test done with no diagnosis. What it seemed to come down to for me was that I was Vitamin D deficient, as well as giving up caffeinated sodas (ahem....Diet Coke). I've been taking a Vitamin D supplement for the last year and it has helped a ton. The only time I'll ever feel the slightest bit of pain is when I push myself to hard on a run. I hope this helps someone else out there! Research the cause and effects of Vitamin D deficiency to see if that could be your issue too!

jayrae12

Feb 08, 2012

To: on_a_rainy_day

I am glad you said that, now I don't feel like the only one experiencing it. Does it seem to not come back if you warm up? It almost scares me away from running because it hurts incredibly bad.

sunsgirl

Feb 09, 2012

To: jayrae12

I was afraid to run, too, because the pain is so debilitating. It seemed that no matter what I did, I would always get that pain when I ran. I sometimes even got it when I would do a workout routine. I hope you can narrow down the cause to your pain!

betty125

Feb 10, 2012

To: The_Answer

Dear all,

I am very, very, very happy to find this post as I was really worriied about my reproductive health.

I am 34 and trying to get pregnant for last 18 months. I used to train athletics and valleyball until my twenties and done dancing after, but for the last 5 years I was not doing any exercises, so I am not fit now.

Last year I decided to get in form as that might help me to get pregnant and during the pregnancy. Then I started to feel that awfull pain, worse than period pain and mine are really bad. First I was thinking the reason is because I am not in good form, but it is still happening. I can not remember it when I was younger.

First time I felt it during running in april last year, then I keep feeling it every time I do any physical activity. An hour ago I was dancing for about half an hour and than for nex 10 minutes I was feeling that terrible pain. It seems it comes every time I do intensive exercise and got my heart beating faster. Sometimes even after the intercourse, not during, but few minutes later.

My doctor was mentioning endometriosis, but after doing all the checks and not finding the cause why I can not get pregnant, they are confused.
Everyone is telling me to get relaxed and stop thinking about pregnancy which I did. Quit my job, returned to university to do what I like, finishing my master degree and enjoying life.

But this pain during the exercise was making me crazy, because I was thinking there was some problem with my reproductivity and nobody seemed to listen to me.

P.S. If there is any girl in similar situation, trying to get pregnant or if anyone with this symptoms was pregnant, I would like to hear your experiences.

HeatherA24

Feb 14, 2012

To: betty125

Hello All,
I like everyone else am very happy to have found this thread. I have been dealing with this same pain for the last 4 to 5 years. I have had ultrasounds, and numerous tests done and was told this was probably caused from an ovarian cyst, as mine is always on the left side in the ovary area. The one question I have for everyone is, does your pain go away within minutes or hours of the exercise or does it linger for a day or 2 or 3? Mine lingers, I got the pain yesterday morning and when I walk I still feel the pain. It isn't as intense as when I am running but it is still bothersome.

cardioiskey

Feb 27, 2012

hello, I am 19 and I too have had this problem since I was about 15 and I noticed it while having to run a mile for gym class. It felt like someone was giving me a rugburn in my uterus and felt like I needed to run to the bathroom.

It usually starts 15 to 20 minutes into any cardio exercise I try to do, and its usually when my period is coming up. I noticed people here saying to take advil or Ibprofin before running and I really do not think that is a good idea or healthy at all.

This is my idea, and I will report back tomorrow after my workout since it has happend the past 2 days in a row. I am going to use my vaporizer before I go workout. I know some of you are younger and can't obviously go workout high, but I really think this might work since marijuana is a pain reliever. I've never tried this before but I am going to tomorrow and wanted to share my approach, i will tell you how it goes and post back

mouncy

Feb 29, 2012

To: jogjogjog

Hi, your comment made me want to reply because i have never heard a response like it! Finally someone who may have an answer. I am 16, and i cannot remember not having this problem. I get regular painful periods but have never been able to run properly without making an idiot of myself clutched under a tree or on the street in agony! it is so so painful and i need help, please tell me more about what to do? I really want to be able to run!

mouncy

Feb 29, 2012

To: Linds0330

Hi, i know you wrote this in 2010 but i had to reply. I am also 16, nearly 17, and i have the same thing! No one, not even a specialist knows what it is. Its excruciating and stopping me from running. I've had it for about 5 years too. Do you still have it to this day? Its so annoying isn't it? at school when everyone else is running, enjoying themselves and doing exercise, we're huddled in the loo or under a tree somewhere in agony. It is so so horrible, i really want some advice about what it could be or what to do about it. Any help would be really appreciated. Katie

younggirl15

Mar 06, 2012

To: Stanimira

I am 14 years old and i have to do the mile for my fitness test. And every time I start to run i get this pain. It is really annoying. Also I can not even stop or slow down because then the people running with me look back and laugh. Also I don't know if it is because of the way I eat but i really don't want to face this pain tomorrow when I am running the mile. please pray for me.. :)

mdleri

Mar 07, 2012

To: cramped

These cramps do not just come to adults. I'm a 16 year old runner and I get severe cramps about 1-2 miles into my run. I either have to run through it (which is very difficult), or stop for about 10 minutes. I do agree that this has something to do with periods, considering I only get these cramps about a week or so before my period begins. But, I'm also looking for a cure. I have time trials tomorrow for a 1600m., and I am hoping that the cramps do not start up again. They're slowly my times down incredibly.

CarnivalCat

Mar 17, 2012

I've engaged in a vigorious exercise program (1 hour, 5x a week) for the last three months. I've done PLENTY of running indoors and outdoors. I am in the military and my PT test came up Friday of last week. It started with the 1.5 mile run -- I did this run in 12:42, a personal best. At the very end of this run I noticed this strange sensation. I felt pressure and like I had to maybe use the restroom. I didn't quite understand what was going on, but it was extremely uncomfortable for about 5 minutes and went away. I continued on with my day.

I ran for about 15 minutes on Tuesday just fine on the same track I ran my PT test. I wasn't exactly pushing it. Thursday morning I was incredibly sick and threw up a lot. I drank water all day, and Friday morning I ran a 5k. I honestly didn't think I over exerted myself during this run. In fact, I am most definitely sure I could have shaved off a good minute of solid running time. I got to the 1.5 mile mark and the pain started. It was the same sensation, but I kept running. I was outside on a trail and there were no buildings. The pain was ridiculously low as everyone described. I felt like I really needed a restroom. The pain got so bad that I almost started crying. I started to panic before I noticed the pain started to dissapate after about 5 minutes. I was able to continue my run as if nothing happened. My period started full force a couple of hours later.

I've never experienced anything like this. jogjogjog said it is brought on by a combination of electrolye imbalance and strain/jarring on the uterus & surrounding muscles. I can most definitely see this being my problem with having been sick prior, and probably not properly hydrated to start with. I don't know how periods would play into it other than possibly just making the pain worse?

Glad I found this forum though... I was a little scared!

Engineergirl86

Mar 18, 2012

To: parkrunner2

I am 20 years old and i ran track and xc in high school. Now i run fairly regularly and often do community 5ks. I have the same symptoms as everyone else, in high school i had them but they were not as recurring as they are now. For me this pain occurs about 10 minutes into the run, it hurts to go on so sometimes i stop when it is just painful and sometimes i push until it is almost unbearable. Then after i stop i try to walk back to my starting place, as you said it would take me forever to get back even if i take a shortcut. I often have to stop walking and bend over in intense pain. I have had to sit on the side of the road to recover. I know these cramps have held me back from what i'm capable of as a runner.
I am very competitive and this is very embarassing for me. I like to run with my boyfriend and when one of these spells sets in i get extrmeley frustrated and embarassed. He is very loving and supportive but i hate doing this infront of him. Today a friend and i started trianing for a half marathon (it will be my first half) about 10 minutes into the run i had one of these incidents set in. We walked for awhile and i tired to hide the pain but it got unbearable. I stoped and bent over and she decided to go on ahead and come back with water for me. I stoped and bent over several times on the way to the store she was at but i was able to make it. I had to go set down and she got me a water then went to get her car to pick me up. I was so embarassed! I dont ever want this to happen agian.
I totally agree with you also about worrying about having children. Someday i want to have children and still be able to run the entire pregnancy like most runner women. I dont know what it would do to a baby if i had an incident like this. Extreme very low abodominal cramps my uterus feels like its going to explode, sometimes i get diahreah. I love to run but i dont want to miscarry. i hope this problem is solved soon so people like me can run and have children.
And it isnt side stiches. People suggest that alot. I can run through side stiches they are usually tolerable. this is much lower it feels like extreme menstrul cramping. somtimes i will end up in the foetal postition it hurts so bad.

Mishki

Mar 19, 2012

To: Everyone

Hi all, like most of you I am very relieved to find that I am not alone! I am 38 years old and have been on the pill most of my life. I went off the pill a few years ago and within a few months I started to get the exact same extreme cramps when exercising. It normally happpened when running, but also happened once or twice whilst cycling or hiking. It is the most severe pain I have ever had, and as you all say, makes you feel like fainting and sometimes like you need to go to the toilet. I went to several doctors about this and my own gynie, but none of them could find the problem which was very frustrating, and it carried on for about a year like this. Then my GP referred me to her own gynie who is a specialist gynie, and she found a huge ovarian cyst, 3 times the size of my ovary! She thought it may have been caused by endometriosis, so instead of operating she put me back on the pill. After 3 months the cyst disappeared, the cramps while running went away, and all was back to normal for the next few years.
However I went off the pill again 4 months ago as I am trying to fall pregnant (have not had kids yet). In the past week I have experienced those horrible cramps again! First time whilst running (longer than I normally run) and the second time this morning in a spinning class (indoor cycling). I am now very very worried that this means that I did have endometriosis, and that it has come back again after I went off the pill. My gynie says that being on the pill keeps the hormones & everything under control, that's why it helps with endo. Has anyone else that has these cramps been diagnosed with endometriosis and/or ovarian cysts? Any other advise would be much appreciated! I am going to try to see my gynie again but she always has about a 4-month waiting list.

Hh_123

Mar 19, 2012

To: everyone

I am 15 years old and experience the same symptoms as VeryPinky. I run track for my high school and experience these cramps when i run longer distances. my trainer has not been able to give me any advise except for iceing. Everyone on here has made comments only on how the pain feels. Obviously if we"re on this website we know what the pain feel like. So, not to be rude, but could everyone stop making useless comments and just someone post something that works to help?!??!

jans3821

Mar 19, 2012

To: Hh_123

Hi
I have read every comment starting from July 24 2007. Obviously I am o this forum because if have also experienced side stitches for want of a better description. For 10 years i have had pain mostly in the lower left abdomen, sometimes the lower right sometimes both sides. I had every test from ultra sounds of ovaries ( clearly i am a women), lower bowel, kidneys etc etc - nothing was found. BUT I BELIEVE I HAVE THE ANSWER. My massage therapist recently suggested it was tight psoas/iliacus muscles which i started stretching (google stretches for these muscles). That helped but it didn't go away completely until my massage therapist started stretching and activating the glutes. AND IT WAS THE GLUTE EXERCISES COMBINED WITH THE PSOAS/ILIACUS stretches that helped enormously
Here's a linkto show you the relationship between the hip flexors and glutes.
http://www.dieselcrew.com/glute-activation-exercise
My problem is solved - I hope it works for you

juandi

Mar 27, 2012

Don't drink any water for about an hour before you start running. When your not working out drink a lot of water. If you drink all water throught your day you should notice a change the next day in your pain. Water is the key.

danie55

Mar 31, 2012

To: meggylouwho

I am 23 and have been running since I was 15 or so. I started to get this pain in high school when I began to run long distance, and the pain was crippling. You can't think, move, or do anything; all you can do is curl into a ball and wait for it to pass. When I was younger I started making myself run through it, which was a bit better because it seemed to last for a shorter period of time, and would not hurt quite as bad. This pain would usually affect me on my 2nd mile or so, or after running any distance 2 miles or less. I have had ultrasounds and doctors have told me it was probably a cist or PMS. I know what period cramps feel like and there is no way these are them, though I do believe they are somewhat related. I have them about 2 weeks of the month or so, and once my period starts, they go away completely. The pain itself, only lasts for about 10-15 minutes, but like many of you guys have said, it is the worst minutes of your life ad usually makes me vomit, which as gross as it sounds, sometimes makes it feel better. I have been in the military for 5 years now and still run on a consistent basis; and still have the pain often as well. When I run on the treadmill, I tend not to get it as much. I literally have tried everything and anything I can think of, to no prevail. I used to take IB profen before my races or runs, but it didnt help. I aslo eat and hydrate considerably. I read something interesting about it being related to ueterus contractions such as when one goes into labor, but I'm not sure..just want it to go away because it is very discouraging and I would like to begin training hard for a marathon.

duocents

Mar 31, 2012

To: danie55

This may be an idiot question, but I am wondering if anyone has tried soaking in a hot bath prior to starting their run process? I have read that this will help relax muscles prior to and after working out. As many people have talked about the psoas muscle and using a heating pad to relieve intense cramping, perhaps beginning with a hot shower or bath might be worth a shot? Not that everyone wants to take the time to draw a bath before their daily run, but it may at least help diagnose whether it is a muscle related issue.

EdithDelgado

Apr 03, 2012

To: Everyone

I'm a 18 year old female, and I have also experienced this abdominal pain since i started to run track and cross country back in High School. It usually occurs after my first 1.5 mile but I have figured out that after walking for 10 to 15 minutes, the pain goes away. I can continue running and the pain doesn't come back.

kris9754

Apr 11, 2012

Hey! Is it only normal for females to get these problems? :S I am a male. Does that mean I have cancer or something I can feel when starting to especially run? :S Been training alot earlier, but I did recently step up running abit, I remember I started getting constant pains in the lower abdominal area after a 4 mile conditioning test in the military. :S I didn't notice anything to the problem before that time It's scary because each time I try to run now after that i'm feeling it. Sometimes I need to stop or walk while jogging/running, not because of being tired but to stop the pain. Feeling like cramps when relaxing aswell in the eveningr. How much timed o I have left? and is there any way to fix it?

Endometriosis86

Apr 23, 2012

To: Everyone

I went through this during personal training, though they were more like intense menstrual cramps.

I even had cramps after orgasms, sometimes after sex, had frequency problems.

I've just been diagnosed with endometriosis via laparoscopy.

I'm begging EVERY woman out there, if you think your period pain may be a bit odd or worse than it should be, please please PLEASE see a gynaecologist! Endometriosis is the leading cause of infertility in women and significantly increases the risk of ovarian cancer.

I hate to think of other women who must go through this also.

And how come it's always the lovely, mature, stable, intelligent women that get struck down with it while 16yr old druggy mccokewhore can conceive at the drop of a hat and have 10 kids to get government benefits? Ain't the world at the knees of murphy's law.

getting_back_in_shape

Apr 23, 2012

To: Any and Everyone

Ok, so my name used to be getting_back_in_shape, but I am proud to say I have been doing very well at it. Been lifting and running more. With that I noticed that I do not get these pains after I lift weights. My typical workout routine is to lift weights (usually in the 12-15 range, sometimes 10), then stretch (I have a ritual of stretches before running) then go for a run. I do not exert myself too much as I am always afraid of this ridiculous, intense pain. I ran in a 5K about a month ago and what do you know.. the dang thing came. Luckily I had already started walking so it didn't get a chance to come on full force. I noticed if I continue to run while it's starting, it let's me know I should have never done that b/c the pain is wayyy worse. I barely warmed up for that run (it was a very unplanned run)
Ok, so back to my solution, do some sit ups and warm your body up good. I say sit ups b/c I believe it helps your muscles. Do some pushups and if possible, pull ups. Since I don't usually run before lifting I haven't really tested that. but since I have been lifting, I haven't had the pain when I go to do cardio, ie. running.

snoezepoes

May 01, 2012

To: VeryPinky

I have the exact same problem! In fact, I have had a couple of instances during my period when I got so bad that I got dizzy and my hearing got faint and I couldn't really move as I was afraid I would pass out. I had to pee soooo bad and once I did, I felt better. I'm 41 and I had this happen years ago when I was 80 lbs. heavier and was mowing grass and out of shape. I run on empty stomach which I like but I wonder if it's hormones, lack of blood flow because I'm on blood pressure meds too or dehydration. Let me know what you find out.

snoezepoes

May 01, 2012

To: jogjogjog

snoezepoes

May 01, 2012

To: jogjogjog

Thank you so much for what you said. I think that could be a big part of it for me because after my worst episode, I had some orange went to the bathroom to pee and felt a million times better. I also have this same scenario happen if I take too hot of a bath. Could a hot bath lower electrolytes too?

mrbubbs

May 01, 2012

To: betty125

Hi, I am a 36 year old female who has had this problem for years now. I am fit and have been a runner for years, but I can never remember this happening to me when I was younger. I also have been trying to get pregnant without success, now I am worried!! I get these awful contraction like pains when running around the time of ovulation. It can be so bad sometimes, I have to stop and just sit doubled over until the pain subsides. Today I felt it coming on, so I walked for a bit and it went away without getting so bad.

I have mentioned it to my doctor in the past and she had no idea and did absolutely no further investigation. Now I am worried I have a cyst or something. If you find anything new out, please let me know, in the meantime, maybe I will make another appointment.

Ramcloud

May 15, 2012

I'm a 16 year old male soo I doubt my problem is menstrual but I run 8-12 miles a day and I used to run a 16:20 5k and now my ab hurts tremendously during even easy runs, I thought it was a pulled ab muscle so I iced it and used heat treatment aswell. it may have to do with diet due to my recent prescription to add medication which causes me to eat a TON less. I drink alot of water a day as well but the pain continues, I consider my self an experienced runner and I was able to run continually at fast paces now I hurt on my warm ups. Please any help would be amazing, with my training I can't afford to take alot of time off or stop and walk during runs I need to be able to run fast again. Any similar problems please help!

crazyrunnerr

May 17, 2012

First of all I want to say this blog saved my life! This issue has been the MOST FRUSTRATING thing ever! It has always been inconsistent and no doctor can figure out what is wrong. The two things I found that trigger it the most, however, are heavy unhealthy meals, junk food, and dehydration. Although that theory has not been very consistent either. However, yesterday I think I figured it out!
I am a 22 year old female who has been dealing with this type of pain since I was 15. It feels like an intense burning aching pain in my lower abdomen. I usually get it about 7-10 minutes into my run and always have to stop for about 5 minutes. This usually happens twice when I run and then when I stop for a second time I am fine after that. I am now training for the marathon so I needed to figure out how to end this!
There is no exact cure for this. It is a combination of things.
1. do not eat at least 4 hours before you run.
2. drink plenty of water the day of your run.
3. start off running slow so your heart rate does not go up too quickly because this can trigger the pain to start.
4. This is the SECRET! I came to the conclusion that the pain was tied in with my period because the pain was occurring much more frequently 1-2 weeks before my period. I got my period yesterday and so I bought mydol. I took 2 at 1230pm and 2 at 5pm. I ran at 6pm and NO PAIN! First time in a long time! I was very happy. I successfully ran 6 miles in an hour =)
Try this remedy to see if it works for you!

cutelatingirl

May 21, 2012

I just want to share my experience and what worked for me (at least yesterday). I am 30 years old and began to train 4 months ago. I started running 5 km at 42 min and I was ok. Two months later I participated in my first 5km career and my time dropped to 30 minutes and 28 seconds, and still I was ok. But then one month ago I started to run faster and my problems begun. In one 5km test I did with my boyfriend I did it at 26 minutes and a half and then a terrible, terrible, horrible cramp attack me at the end. It last 15 minutes and was the worst pain I ever suffered. Since then during the trainings I started feeling this cramp at 3.5 km. I always had to stop and walk 6 minutes and then the pain go away (if I stop in time) Well, I had the Nike Women´s Race yesterday I was so sad because I was afraid I wouldn{t be able to complete the 5km race because of the cramp. I went to the ginecologyst last week and she told me that everything was ok with me, that maybe I have weak abdominal muscles. She told me to take Feldene Flash before running.
So I tried to test using Feldene Flash in my trainings last week and it was connfusing because I was with my period and I always have cramps in my period so I didnt knew if the cramps was because of the effort of running or because of my period. What I can tell is that I had this urge to go to pis.
Well, yesterday I warmed up for 20 minutes (very basic, slow warm up) and then I took Feldene Flash like 10 minutes before the race. I took two 10mg pill, so it was 20mg in total.
I completed the race without cramp! But at the end I had to rushed to the bathroom to pis.
So Feldene Flash worked for me for the race. I dont recommend it for everyday use. I will see if the problem continue, I will try to avoid it during the trainings, but now I know that it could work if I have an important race.
Another thing, my tongue felt a little bit dizzie during the race, but that was better than the cramp from hell.
I hope this could help someone else.

katsd

May 24, 2012

To: cutelatingirl

This problem is not gender specific.  Male athletes deal with this problem as well, but they don't describe the pain as "menstrual" like females do.  This is a CIRCULATION problem.
I started getting this pain out of the blue on day and it hasn't gone away for 5 years.  It happens when I exert my self in strenuous exercise.
After consulting my UCSD gyno (he is one of best in the U.S.); he confirmed this answer.  I also found an answer someone posted on another site.
When your heart rate increases too much too quickly, the blood coming through your aorta (in your lower back) has problems entering your iliac (femoral) arteries, there is a lack of blood flow to your organs, and pain results.
YOU NEED TO WARM UP, SLOOWWWLLLYYY.  I have success when I start off by running at a 12 min/mile pace for 20 min. prior to running fast.  Its a pain in the *** though.

casual_runner

Jun 12, 2012

To: everyone

I'm 37, have been running on and off for about 10 years and also have this problem. It does not happen too often, but I've associated it with humidity levels, so I think it's related to breathing/oxygen levels. I have very mild asthma, and generally if I use a rescue inhaler before setting off when it's humid, I don't get the horrible cramps. My sister is a doctor and she said that low blood oxygen can cause cramping, and that everyone is different but that uterine cramps are possible as well. So make sure you're breathing properly. Usually if I stop, drink something cold and lay absolutely still, it goes way within 5-10 minutes. Good luck everyone and take care!

lmh1321

Jun 16, 2012

I am a 27 year old female, and I also experience these identical symptoms. I am very fit, and healthy. I train in a gym 5 days a week, and never experience this pain, but do everytime I run outdoors. This has been going on for several years. I run the same trail everytime, and its usually just past the middle of the 5 kms, right after a really big hill that the pain usually starts. Its almost like a menstrual cramp, but in the low, low abdomen. It usually persists for about 5-10 minutes, and if I stop running and walk for 5 or so minutes, the pain dissapates, and usually does not return for the remainder of my run. I had several 'LEEP' procedures when I was aged 17-23, and I thought perhaps this pain was related to the procedures. However, after reading everyone elses posts, now I am not so sure. I've read online that this can be due to ovarian cysts. Has anyone with these symptoms been diagnosed with cysts? And if so, does the pain while running persist after the cysts are removed?

ShainaRuns

Jun 22, 2012

To: All.

What you do is walk it off by walking fast and stretching your stride out to the point of feeling a pull at the top of the hip. This did it for me. Other thing I did before this was lay straight on my belly and let my insides figure it out. It hurt less and the pain was quicker to leave didn't last more than 5 minutes. 'S better than 10-20mins believe me. I have narrow hips and an atletic build, 5'9 height and love running.

Hope this helps,
Shaina

getting_back_in_shape

Jun 22, 2012

To: lmh1321

My female Dr. said if it were a female issue it would hurt other times than running.

getting_back_in_shape

Jun 22, 2012

To: katsd

Yes I agree with warming up. I posted a while ago saying I don't get this pain when I weight train before I do cardio. Warming up definitely has proven to help for me. I think everyone should try it and post what results they get. I want all of us to find a way out of this pain. Bc as you, I know the extremity of it. Happy Running People :)

trouty31

Jul 18, 2012

To: getting_back_in_shape

I am a 42 year old male and have the same symptoms as most that are posting on this forum.  I have been to countless Dr.'s and had countless tests / procedures done with no answers.

Before I get more than a minute into a run, I can tell if it the pain is going to happen that day or not; it's like my breathing is completely out of rhythm and I can't take in enough air.  Like clockwork, the abdominal pain starts about 1.5 miles into my run.  If I stop, the pain subsides almost immediately, but in re-starting my run, it soon comes back.

If I can make it to about 6 miles, I start to feel better and can run almost normally from that point - usually there is some burping involved that makes me feel better.

Also, I find that if the temps are 50 and below, I am much less likely to have this issue, but anything in heat and high humidity, I can almost guarantee it will happen (therefore, I live for late-Fall, Winter and early- Spring running).

On race days, I have had some success by running until the pain comes, stop and go inside and rest, and then going back out for the "real" run, but what a hassle.

I am thankful for this forum and will experiment with some of the advice that has been previously mentioned - especailly with warming up and psoas / iliacus stretching.

Thanks!

hcwrangler00

Jul 28, 2012

I am a 37 yo female and have had this severe pain for years, and it feels exactly like everyone describes. It feels like bad menstrual cramps, yet they contract like pregnancy contractions. If I push my running too much the cramps will last longer and be more intense. I have learned to stop the running as soon as I feel them coming on. Then they are much less sever and tend to last a lot shorter. I have had inner and outer ultrsounds, no cysts or masses. I also had a laparoscopy to test for endometriosis, and nothing. I also notice spotting the same day as the cramps.

My gyno has no idea what it could be so I'm keeping a diary of everything. I'll try the warning up slowly as they seems to be one thing I don't do when I get the cramps. I just need to replicate that to see if that's what it is.

Justine0110

Sep 08, 2012

To: moanaloa1

This is my EXACT pain. Did you ever get checked? Do you know what it could be?

cat5813

Sep 11, 2012

To: verypinky

this is the same exact pain that i just started getting recently. i am 20 years old and i get these same symptoms along with nausea, dizzyness, and a pain that to me felt like contractions. i stopped running for a while and just recently started bck up again and everytime i am halfway to where i want to be i get this pain that makes me stop and sit and after that i cannot run anymore. does anyone know of anything that coud help this pain?

Veritas27

Nov 13, 2012

To: Mishki

Mishki,

So glad to have read your story! I am a 37y.o. female and decided to go off the pill a few months ago. About a month and a half later, I started noticing that I would get this lower abdominal pain when I started running. It is very painful! NEVER had this been the case, and I've been running for many years. After about a mile or so, it subsides, but never goes away completely. I'm extremely concerned about this. I've not been to the doctor yet, but our stories are so similar, I think I might have ovarian cysts as well. I have a well woman check-up scheduled in December and I'm trying to wait until then. I may just have to go back on the pill in the meantime. I was just tired of taking it for 5 years so I stopped. I didn't think it would really change my body. This is really the only effect I've noticed. How are you now? ~Lori

getting_back_in_shape

Nov 13, 2012

To: cryscrys08

Do you have any lower back issues? I have a herniated disc. L5-S1, it's pressing on my spinal cord. I asked the female doc and she said if it's a woman thing it would happen all the time. Then she said sometimes if someone has a back problem that can happen. She didn't know about my herniated disc. Sooo, my unprofessional opinion thinks that has something to do with it.

getting_back_in_shape

Nov 13, 2012

To: Jupiter96

If you're sexually active, yes you could be pregnant. I hope not, you are 15! Keep running and stay away from boys. :)

getting_back_in_shape

Nov 13, 2012

To: nrhammo

My paps are normal, but I have this issue. Do you have any lower back issues? I have a herniated disc. I am thinking this has something to do with it. Also spoke to a female dr who said back pain can cause this. She didn't know I had a back issue.

getting_back_in_shape

Nov 13, 2012

To: trouty31

Hi...Do you have back issues? perhaps disc problems? I live in FL, so it's a rare chance it will be below 50 here. But there is a lot of heat and humidity. I first noticed this pain in the heat and I thought it was heat related. But it's happened since. I don't always get this pain. I definitely don't when I lift before I run. But if I go out for a leisure run, I'm pretty sure I will get this pain. Once it comes, I HAVE to stop and it's better to stop when you first think it's coming bc otherwise you're in for a real treat. It will only be worse. It takes what feels like eternity to go away, but once it does, it's gone and you can continue to run. But there is absolutely no way I can run thru it at all. It's not a pain like that.

brashley

Dec 10, 2012

Hi all,

I've been following this thread and others for the last couple of years, hoping that someone would have a solution for us all.  I also have terrible debilitating cramps when I run in the two week period between when I ovulate and when I get my period.  No Dr's have been able to find anything, and I haven't been able to get pregnant for the last year and a half.
Here's what I do know: the pains are directly related to heart rate, if I can keep my heart rate lower I can avoid the cramps.  But as soon as I sprint, or get into a good paced run, the cramps are immediate.  So I've been trying to stick to yoga and weight lifting for those two weeks, which isn't ideal but it's the only way for me to get through it.
I've also had terrible breakouts and thinning hair since this all started, which leads me to believe that it's someway related to my hormones and an imbalance since it's related to my cycle.  I've just finished up all the testing for hormone disorders and get my results tomorrow.  I'll keep you posted, maybe this could finally help us out!

clarena

Mar 01, 2013

If I overdo cardio - too much too soon, I also have the intense lower abdominal pain spreading from my tail bone to both anterior lower abdominal quadrants that stops me in my tracks. I have to lay down immediately. It feels like intense labor contractions, coming in waves, lasting for about 10 mins. My doctor thinks its related to my irritable bowel syndrome. The more in-shape I am cardiovascularly, the less it happens. For me, the key is either staying in good shape with regular cardio - which helps me control my asthma, or start slow if I haven't done cardio in a month. Easier said than done when I'm amitious to get back in shape - especially after being laid up with the flu / bronchitis/ etc. My husband thinks its crazy too. You have to experience it to understand.

melkane1

Mar 21, 2013

I came looking on the internet because i get the same feeling too. Ive always been active and never really felt this but recently, about 3 wks or so, I have been running every single day about 1 or 2 miles. I feel fine overall, 28 years old, healthy, have a little girl and I go to school. this feeling feels like im getting my period all over again and i all feel it after intercourse.I feel it after every single time i run...feels like im going to bleed but i never did. I felt crazy about all this and i ran, and then sat at my computer. It goes away in like, Id say 20 minutes.. iI have had some reproductive type issues. I had no problem getting pregnant but i then had think lining, had a d&c,birth control issues( which Im not allowed to take) and a cyst rupture, but no problems since. I thought my uterus was just extra sensitive or something. I wi

jdforjd

Mar 29, 2013

I'M NOT ALONE!!!

My symptoms are exactly as described here: about 1 mile into the run, I'm hit with the most amazingly excruciating uterine contractions. I'm completely incapacitated (lying on the ground, trying not to scream) for about 10 minutes, and then, as suddenly as it came, it disappears. To those who are talking about drinking water, warming up, stretching, etc., we are *not* talking about the same thing! This is not a side cramp, a stomach cramp, or even a normal menstrual cramp. If you've experienced this before, you know what I'm talking about! One time, it was so bad that the family I was visiting took me to the ER because they were convinced I had just ruptured some internal organ or something.  I've never given birth, but it feels exactly how I've hear contractions described: they come in waves, exerting intense pressure that is centered low in the abdomen. They can spread to the rectum or stomach, sometimes resulting in unfortunate expectoration from either. But it's definitely focused in the uterus--I think that any gastro/intestinal issues are just side effects of the shared uterine/rectal wall or the stomach's response to the stress and pain (sorry to get all medical and gross!).

When all of this first began (around ages 12 or 13), my parents took me to several specialists to make sure nothing was really "wrong." I'm completely normal: no tipped uterus or endometriosis or anything like that.

Long story short, I DID find a solution! When I was 14 or 15, my very-understanding physician father suggested that I try a daily birth control pill (my Dad even wrote the prescription, telling me he trusted me not to become sexually active just because he gave me the pill--touching moment!). The pill has done wonders for me. I'm 24 now, I run several times a week, and I've done several long-distance (over 8-mile) races. Every once in a while, something will feel off and I will start to have a little pain, but nothing compared to what it used to be. I have pretty conservative values, so sometimes I feel a little self-conscious picking up the prescription without a wedding band, but it's definitely worth avoiding all that pain!

As others have mentioned, I do worry about fertility. I also worry about my ability to stay healthy and active at times when I am not able to take the pill, such as when I'm pregnant or trying to become pregnant. We'll just have to deal with those hurdles as they come!

In summary: try the pill!

Happy running!

jdforjd

Mar 29, 2013

P.S. Yes, it is slightly annoying that I'm so dependent on the pill. However, except for a few brief interludes, I've been on the pill my entire post-pubescent life. It's not ideal, but, all things considered, I'm not going to complain. I'm just grateful that I've found something that works.

odieno

Apr 21, 2013

To: katsd

Hi. I have been reading all of these posts about this problem that also happens to me. Your response and reason makes the most sense. I am wondering though, is there any supplement or other solution that could help along with starting out slowly? Have you found anything else helpful since you posted this?

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