The harder I train the worse my period cramps get

[Goofy]

I participate in a sport that develops/requires a lot of core and upper body strength. It seems to me that my increased training over the last few months while making me feel better mentally and physically most of the time is taking it's toll the first couple days of my period. The cramps can be controlled with OTC medication so I'm not too worried but every month it takes me by surprise. I am slowly getting better at getting ahead of the pain and feeling comfortable using meds. Is there any science out there that says building muscle can be related to worse cramps? I am in my early twenties now, but when I was in my teens and not athletic at all I could control my cramps with just some light stretching and massaging pressure points.

[Heather]

I have never seen any study or medical information that suggests that. I’d personally figure that this probably isn’t related to your training.

It’s typical for periods not to stay the same in a host of different ways throughout life, so having changes with things like cramps from time to time tends to be a given. Since OTC analgesics work for your cramps, I assume they’re pretty mild?