Scuba affecting period?

[outofofficebrb]

Hi, ladies.

I've had the (unlucky) privilege of diving while on my period a handful of times now and each time, I noticed that it affects the duration and flow of my period. For the past 20 years, my cycle has been on and off like clockwork and no fail, apart from diving as described, it's usually 7 days straight (wonderful.....). When I dive, it is shortened to 3-5 days and it's much lighter. (Yassssss!)

At first I thought it was pure coincidence but I've been doing it often enough that I'm now noticing a trend, even if it's just one tank for 40 minutes. Does anyone else experience this? Is there any scientific/physiological explanation for this? I'm loving it! I should make a recurring appointment on my calendar to take a hit from my tank if I won't be diving .

Thanks in advance for any feedback, comments, and info.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I can't wait to read the responses to this one but maybe Mother Earth is gifting you for having found your calling back to her nurture. WELCOME TO THE SISTERHOOD

 

[Land Fish]

I've only had two diving trips that coincided with my period (or supposed to), one time I took some prescriptions to push it back until after the trip, and the second time I used tampons. I didn't notice my period was shortened but the one for the following month was slightly heavier.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Ah, the answer for you my friend would seem to be "dive monthly".

 

[ScubaJill]

I haven't read any literature about diving causing changes to a woman's cycle. It doesn't mean it isn't available. Do you NEVER have variations in your cycle length outside of diving? Or have you only noticed such variations while diving? If you're really interested in seeing if changes occur ONLY when you dive, I'd keep a journal for about a year detailing start and end dates and amount lost, as well as a detailed log of your dives. At the end of the year, I'd compare the two. That should give you enough data points to determine if there is any suggestion of a relationship. Then, you can write a grant to conduct a study, get a large enough sample of female participants who dive, and after running the study for a certain length of time (a year?), conduct a statistical analysis, holding for any potential intervening factors (age, history, etc.), and publish your results.

That's what I would do. But I work in research.

 

[Land Fish]

That's what I would do. But I work in research.

I see the potential of a research paper

 

[morecowbells]

Different stressors affect the timing and duration of a cycle. A common unexplained phenomenon is after having a general anesthetic the period will soon follow. Why? Nobody really knows. Stress, weight loss and thyroid are a small handful of other issues which change your cycle. Perhaps your body is sensing that your body is stressed and is providing a primordial type of lighter cycle. I had the exact same privilege for a while until one trip to Curacao. Instead of being in Mother Nature's grace I was B-slapped.

Sure I may sound like "the glass is half empty" person but always prepare for a heavy cycle and be pleasantly surprised when you get a mulligan.

 

[Koalaroo]

Heya

Well, I was just scouring the interwebs on general info on "diving & periods", etc. and stumbled over your question here. I actually found much the same with my cycles as you found with yours. However, I also have to add horse riding to the mix.
Normally, I'm a bit of an inactive, flumpy couch potato. But ever since I took up diving, and returned to regular horse back riding (as in, I returned to regular horse back riding almost a year ago, and started diving 2 months ago), I realized that sporting activity very positively influences my periods.

They hurt less, they are much shorter in duration, and it's much "prettier" (I'll spare the details ). I think, it maybe has to do with the movement and motion, that just helps to "move things along" faster, than sitting around, at home on the couch when things are just kinda ... well.. sitting in there and it takes much longer for it to work its way out. At least, it's the only "correlation" I could think off..

Either way. Thought I'd let you know, you are not alone.

(Uhm... not sure if using my very first post to be introducing myself with blood was the way to go ... )

 

[nudisusie]

Sadly I've never experienced this and I've been working daily as an instructor during my 20s & 30s

 

[WetPup]

Conveniently I have the contraceptive implant in my arm and don't get my period. Diving is part of the reason I went this route to be honest. I dive all the time