Thread: Performing and your period

This is probably TMI, but I have a performance tonight and I'm having a heavy flow day. ..c:: I'm always a little uncoordinated during this time of the month....how do the rest of you deal with this? Especially when you have to perform!

ugh! I haaaaate it when I have a gig on a heavy day. I also hate it the few days leading up to my period when I'm feeling all bloated and crappy. which happens to be right now, and *I* have a gig tonight, too. :P

truth? I have a big glass of wine before I go onstage, and tell myself to not take myself too seriously. I remind myself that the audience loves you for your sparkling smile and engaging personality - not your technique. or your unbloated tummy, for that matter. ;) if you drop a zill, miss a step, or end up with your veil in your face, laugh it off. try to have fun! you have to be there anyway, right? might as well do your best to enjoy it. :)

Yep, just what she said! Double up on your 'protection' and in my case most of our community dances I've performed in have been during that time too. It's a good time to use our tendency to be more emotional during our moon as an excuse for more expression in our dance. Have fun and you'll feel great when you're finished. Good luck (both of you)!

Thanks ladies! At least the cramps are pretty well gone, but I'm still bloated and spacey. lol Why oh why do I seem to turn into an airhead once a month??

I get super clumsy too, and I am glad it is not just me. BTW: I have a photo shoot tomorrow with all this bloat and cramps, so I totally feel your pain. Hang in there, hon.

Switching over to menstrual cups has made me feel a lot more comfortable, coordinated, and secure during my menses.

I think so. Menstrual cups are ideal, also for the normal life. Good and also cheap You find at ebay...look for "diva cup". Against the pain, You can use "Ibuprofen" it works against the cause of the pain and reduce the prostaglandines, which makes the hard pain.
Best regards
Salima

Originally Posted by Salima

I think so. Menstrual cups are ideal, also for the normal life. Good and also cheap You find at ebay...look for "diva cup". Against the pain, You can use "Ibuprofen" it works against the cause of the pain and reduce the prostaglandines, which makes the hard pain.
Best regards
Salima

Diva Cup has their own website, also: Home - The DivaCup, an innovative menstrual cup the best alternative to Tampons and Pads

I've used them before and don't care for them.

i get some of the advantages of a cup (environmental, especially) but I don't really understand how it would impact coordination.

I don't either Lauren. The few times I've used the cup, I've been very *aware* of it...I think it would destract me and mess up my cooridation even more.

actually, if you take ibuprofin every four hours when your first day starts, you will cut your flow by 30%. my doc turned me on to it...i only use it the first two days though :)

I always use ibuprofen for cramps the first two days...the only thing that really helps! I've never noticed that it reduces my flow though.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

i get some of the advantages of a cup (environmental, especially) but I don't really understand how it would impact coordination.

I could only speak from personal experience - cups helped me feel more comfortable and not-so-clumsy or self-conscious when dancing during my period. That's all.

Originally Posted by Sariah

I don't either Lauren. The few times I've used the cup, I've been very *aware* of it...I think it would destract me and mess up my cooridation even more.

Well, everyone's different.

Originally Posted by Nat242

Well, everyone's different.

Very true. The important thing is to find what works for you.

Sariah, if it helps, at least know that it's not in your imagination. According to a NIMH study, women athletes have more injuries right before their periods and there are measurable cyclical differences in coordination.

This may be explained by alterations in proprioception and neuromuscular coordination due to hormonal variations.

So I don't think there's much to be done other than dance simply, save your big spins and tricks for another day and rely on dancing simply and connecting with your audience instead of dancing fancy.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Sariah, if it helps, at least know that it's not in your imagination. According to a NIMH study, women athletes have more injuries right before their periods and there are measurable cyclical differences in coordination.

Wow, that's really interesting. Maybe it's nature's way of making sure that, if we're gonna throw plates, we're more likely to miss. ..g.:

(Not that I ever throw plates. I just think the whole world hates me ..cr.:)

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

Wow, that's really interesting. Maybe it's nature's way of making sure that, if we're gonna throw plates, we're more likely to miss. ..g.:

..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;, It's the only plausible explanation, really!

I agree--the diva cups are awesome. If you snip the end a little or put it a little higher, you hardly notice it. I've completely forgotten that I was even on my period.

Yes, I don't fell the diva cup. And I`m also save at the heavier days. Nothing else is so save...
Ibuprofen can't reduce the flow, but the pain.
To reduce the flow its possible to use Tranexamic acid, the medicaments name is "Cyklokapron".
Best regards
Salima

Originally Posted by jengal55

actually, if you take ibuprofin every four hours when your first day starts, you will cut your flow by 30%. my doc turned me on to it...i only use it the first two days though :)

are you serious??? awesome!!! totally going to try that.

Originally Posted by Sariah

Thanks ladies! At least the cramps are pretty well gone, but I'm still bloated and spacey. lol Why oh why do I seem to turn into an airhead once a month??

dude. I jekyll and hyde it every month. one week I'm a pathetic bloated makeup-shunning lump. two weeks later I'm a ravenous cougar. wtf???

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

Wow, that's really interesting. Maybe it's nature's way of making sure that, if we're gonna throw plates, we're more likely to miss. ..g.:

(Not that I ever throw plates. I just think the whole world hates me ..cr.:)

Unfortunately it didn't alter my aim when I threw a cup at a window...hit the thing square and had to call the glass repair guy. That was one of my very few forays into giving in to hormonal rage. Baaaaaad idea!

Originally Posted by Doozer

Unfortunately it didn't alter my aim when I threw a cup at a window...hit the thing square and had to call the glass repair guy. That was one of my very few forays into giving in to hormonal rage. Baaaaaad idea!

Been there, done that. Thank goodness for Zoloft or I'd still be a basketcase. As it is now, I just hurt alot, get sleepy, uncooridinated, and dumb. lol

Originally Posted by Sariah

I've used them before and don't care for them.

Me, either!,f::