"Period" pains while running

[MarmiteyCrumpets]

Had a run this morning, which was great apart from terrible pelvic cramps that feel like (but are not) period pains, so intense that I thought I might throw up on the pavement (thankfully I did not). It took a good 10 minutes for me to be able to continue. I'm mid-40s but I've had these periodically (lol) for as long as I can remember, raised it with various doctors over the years, but none have really had an explanation. I take magnesium, iron, and Vitamin B suppmlents, so I doubt it's related to a deficiency. Anyone else experienced this or have any advice?

Might be a random question but have you ever had a c-section or abdominal surgery? I had a c-section 10 years ago and I still get niggles and stretchy/period pain type pains around that area if I over exert or move too quickly. I’ve lots of scar tissue and any pulling on it can cause these types of pain.

I've had two c sections and I get these pains whilst walking. They do feel like period pains.

I get this! The pain is intense and like you say, makes me feel like I'm going to vomit. I have to stop running and walk very, very slowly until it disappears. I have noticed it only happens in the second half of my cycle, never the first half. I'm mid 40s and have never been pregnant/given birth/had a c-section.

Hello Marmitey,

I had these too while running. Usually worse on the two days after ovulation. I've never been pregnant so nothing to do with anything in relation to that for me. Mine became so intense that I chose to give up running in the end.

Yup, have the same sounding thing. Also mid-40s and never been pregnant/had surgery. Isn’t so bad usually if I don’t wee straight before a run. Also noticed it got better when I took iron for a while.

I get these also but like PP I have had a C section. I think it’s my uterus telling me to sit down and eat some biscuits

Could it be ovulation pain? You say it’s happened periodically before.
You could try using a free period tracker app (I use Clue) to plot symptoms and see if there is a pattern.
I only started getting these a few years ago (40’s) and the pain is excruciating. After a couple of months I worked out that they happen on day 12/13 of my cycle when I am ovulating.
Maybe it was just a coincidence that it happened while you were running?

Is it gastro intestinal distress possibly?

I had to stop running long distances as I'd get the most awful cramps.

You must have read my mind, I was about to post about this today. I've got period like cramps / pains on and off and they get worse when i walk or run. Not as bad as you've described and they do go away after a while but it's weird and I've only noticed it recently. I'm on cycle day 12 so maybe @PoptartPoptart is right here.....I'm going to keep a closer note over the next couple of months.

Yes I have had this a few times, more so when I was younger and wasn’t a regular runner, it seemed to stop when I started running regularly (or just got older?). I don’t have an explanation I am afraid, but yes that exact thing, only triggered by running and exactly like period pain.

The only thing I can suggest is that I discovered when I became pregnant for the first time I have severe endometriosis. Possibly linked, I don’t know?

As per @actiongirl1978 are you sure it isn’t runners stomach? It can feel very much like period pain but it’s all about what you eat and drink before running.

Thanks so much for all the responses! And sorry that so many others suffer from the same thing, and a bit disappointed that something that seems relatively common to women runners doesn't seem to have much info on it.

I'm pretty sure that it's not gastro distress and I have never given birth by C-section or otherwise.

It feels exactly like really bad period pain, but it always passes after about 10 excruciating minutes, and then I'm fine.

It might well be something to do with my cycle, so I will try tracking it (after 30-odd years of periods I suppose I should )

I do take iron every day, so I doubt that it's anemia.

Frustrating though!

I'll try the not weeing thing Greybeardy (maybe needing to wee will distract me from the cramps if they come ).

I struggled with this earlier last year to the point my regular running had to stop. It turned out to be a polyp in my uterus which was removed and I've had no pain while running since. Can be quite normal to have them and not even know but if they're causing pain then they need removing. Maybe keep a track of your cycle as some OP's have suggested above but if there's no connection there you could consider a referral from your GP for a scan?