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Low abdominal pain when running

I just wanted to see if anyone has experienced some of my problems. I am a 27 year old female; I am in a pretty good shape. I exercise regularly and for the last 3 months I have been running 3 to 5 times a week for 2 miles. My problem is that sometimes I would get very severe LOW abdominal pain when running.  Sometimes is on the right side, sometimes is on the left side. It does not happen all the time, though. I worm up and increase my speed gradually. I am not sure if I should I see a doctor about that. If anyone has had anything similar, please share. Thank you!
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Avatar universal
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.
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Avatar universal
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!      


        
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Avatar universal
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
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Avatar universal
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.
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Avatar universal
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!
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Avatar universal
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.
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