Just a survey I thought I would put up out of curiosity!

I do dance while on my period, but I tend to get lightheaded and weak so, once a month, I find myself sitting down in the middle of class. It's rather a nuisance, because I would rather keep dancing.

However, my teacher says that my health is the most important thing. She tells me that in Russia, they sit and watch class for the first three days of their periods. That made me feel a little better, so now I'm more willing to rest when my body needs it, but I still don't like that I need to sit down.

It makes me feel like a weak person :/

So, how does your period affect YOU? Do you continue dancing and it doesn't bother you? Do you take class and sit down if you feel unwell? Or do you sit out of class completely?

I know that for some people it's terrible, I feel so bad for them. I knew a girl who couldn't get out of bed when she got her period because she would be so sick and faint

When I was younger I was relatively unaffected by my period except for maybe feeling a little tired. I think that because I was in such good shape at that time that I didn't really feel the extra strain during my period when I danced. Now, though, I tend to feel pretty crappy the day before and the first 1 or 2 days of my period and probably wouldn't choose to drop into a ballet class on those days. It's a bit different for me, as an adult who just chooses my own classes, because it up to me when I go and I'm paying for it, etc.

What else would I do? My periods are really weird and erractic, and come and go when it suits them (like, I'll have a period for two days, it'll stop for three and come back for another two. And then that might be my last period for six months, and I might have another period next week. Like I said, weird and erratic)*, so I can't stop dancing while that's happening.

Besides that, it makes my cramps feel better.


*And yes, I've been checked, checked and rechecked. They think I've got PCOS, but can't determine that anything's actually wrong with me, outside of that.

Yes, I do. Actually, it makes me feel better. During my period lately (last 3 cycles) I've been nauseas for the first few days to go along with the cramps and back pain, but I refuse to miss dance class just because I'm a girl! I've found that if I just force myself to go to class, by the time we're done the warm-up I'm feeling a bit better... Good enough to tough out the rest of class. I just tell myself, "Now if this was a competition/performance, would I just not dance because I have my period? NO!"

Yes! That's exactly the thought that goes through my mind! Many times I do push through and am able to finish the class. But it's so often that I have to sit down...I just hate it so much! If I'm feeling bad I keep dancing, I only sit if I really feel like I will faint; much of the time I still try to keep going and it's my teacher who makes me sit down because she will see me go visibly pale (I think she is over-careful now because one time a few years ago I actually fainted and scared her so much.)

Theresa, that sounds miserable I hope you're alright!

The weird thing is that, other than a headache in the days leading up to my period and some slight cramps, I feel totally fine. I never get nauseous or dizzy or anything until I start exercising hard. It's for this reason that I think me getting lightheaded during class is more related to not getting enough oxygen. Maybe if I focused more on my breathing it would help...hmm.

Well I haven't had it for even a year yet, but at this point I still dance during my period. To tell you the truth the only thing that can keep me from dance is a man eating disease and there's no way I could skip dance for some minor bleeding LOL

Now I do. Two years ago, when I had untreated endometriosis, I was lucky if I made it to school, let alone dance.

Now I barely even get a period at all, so it is barely a concern.

Yes I do. I actually find I feel better after an hour class. It does seem to help.

I do sometimes, I hate being on my period. I always feel really tired and sick and faint and stuff. I also get really bad period pains and so am constantly dosed up on painkillers for the first three days. After that I'm fine.

^ You should get that checked out. I used to have that too. Turns out I have a hormonal imbalance - I got put on birth control pills and I feel so much better now when my period comes.

Of course I still dance! I just take some painkillers, and suck it up. Even though sometimes i don't want to go to class because of it, I find I feel better after i've exercised, usually dancing. It's not a big deal.

Before menopause I always took painkillers then danced or did other energetic activities during my period because I was too stubborn to let the pain stop me. I don't think anybody noticed, but I doubt I did my best when all I felt like doing was to lie down, clutch my gut and moan.

However I was very lucky because I never felt lightheaded or weak.

Have you talked to your doctor about being lightheaded and weak on your period? That doesn't sound normal. I never had a choice but to dance or cheer when I was on my period. I can't imagine telling my teacher or coach I couldn't practice because of it. If everyone sat out 3 days when they had their period, we would never have had a full group practicing. What if you get it during a competition or a performance? I think you need to find the cause of your symptoms, I would start with an iron or vitamin deficiency.

When I was at the All England's last year I nearly passed out before my recall because of my period. Thats my excuse for not winning. I was in first place before the recall and then I dropped to third after. Guess I didn't dance that well as I felt so ill :/

I do go to dance class while on mine. For some reason dancing makes me feel better. I think it is because it helps me forget about all cramps and stuff.

Moonlitefairy6 -- my blood work and physical examinations always check out fine, I think it's not so unusual to feel "off" on your period for some people.

I do think that maybe it's because of my long days though -- most days I have many hours of dancing without a break, and it's all ballet. Russian ballet, so it's either do it well and full out and perfect, or sit out if you're so sick that you can't.

Maybe that's why I can usually manage one class but then by my second I need to sit down.

If it happens during a competition or performance or audition I suck it up and make it happen. So it's not impossible...

My teacher just got so mad at me the few times I did get really ill, I think she's afraid it's unhealthy for me? So now she doesn't take chances and if I get even a little pale I am made to sit out. If it were up to me I would dance!

Yes. Somtimes dance helps, but sometimes it makes me cramp up. It just depends.

Same as Theresa, the only time that my period isn't totally psychotic and acting in a way that calling it a cycle makes me laugh, is when i'm on birth control. Mine can last anywhere between 3 days and 2 1/2 weeks. I can have two or three in a month, or go months without having one. I get stomach pains that feel like i'm being repeatedly kicked in the stomach, sickening headaches, upset stomach, and exhaustion due to my anemia getting worse from the heavy bleeding. Ironically, dancing always made me feel better. Although I've always kind of been the "walk it off" type of person; sitting still when I'm in pain only makes me feel worse. I'm also pretty used to dancing while feeling like my lips must be turning blue from lack of oxygen, thanks to asthma. But I never really got dizzy when I had my period, so that might have caused me to sit down and take a break from class. Honestly if you feel like you need to sit down to avoid passing out or getting hurt, that's what you should do. No shame in that.

Haha of course I do. Done many a competition or exam on it too.

It's not too bad most of the time-I do have back pain and tummy cramps on the first two days but after that, it's fine. Normally don't need painkillers for it. Feel a little faint sometimes-but that's only if I haven't eaten decent meals.

Yes! I do it always makes me feel soooo much better, and I guess it doesnt really bother me all that much so I do

Yep. As my dance teacher always says no pain no gain.

Yes, I always did! I would feel like crap but take some advil and maybe even vitamins with iron in them, that seemed to help me feel better. I always get this dull ache ugh