Has running affected your periods?

[Catsontoast]

Has running made anyone else's cycle shorter? I've been training for a half marathon and have started running longer distances than I'm used to over the past few weeks. I've usually run 5 to 6k 2-3 times a week for the past 5 years, and have recently started running 4 days a week, including a weekly 15k+ long run.

My last 2 cycles have randomly been 28 and 23 days, when they've usually been pretty bang on 30 days for years. My periods are a little shorter too, but no change in flow. Could it be running? Just turned 35 and wondering if it's running or perimenopause. Obviously I'll get it checked out if it continues, but just wondering if there could be a link.

No it hasn’t . Regular runner. Normal cycles.

I don’t see how it could have done so- unless you have an extremely low BMI already

I've never noticed a change in cycle length, but when I increase my exercise I do notice that my period is shorter by a couple of days too

It's more likely to make your cycle longer or more intermittent (missed or entirely stopped periods) - but only if your body fat has dropped dramatically and given you a very low BMI. That puts women at risk of low bone density, by the way.

It's more likely to be coincidental and simply hormonal changes.

Thanks, my BMI is 21.5 so no issue there. No idea about fat composition but wouldn't say it's likely to be esecially low or high. Wondering if it could also be stress related to selling my flat and having a huge workload recently.

Could be. It would be a bit early for perimenopause but not impossible - keep a record for a few months and if it continues, you might want to see your GP about it.